scholarly journals Moral Virtue as a Requisite for Illumination in the Platonic Tradition

Religions ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 838
Author(s):  
Kristian Sheeley
Keyword(s):  
Mystical Experience ◽  
Moral Virtue ◽  
Gregory Of Nyssa ◽  
Basic Framework ◽  
Cappadocian Fathers ◽  
Divine Beauty ◽  
Platonic Tradition

This paper traces the development of the idea that we must cultivate moral virtue in order to attain some degree of illumination regarding the nature of reality. I use the term “illumination” to cover a range of meanings intended by the philosophers I discuss, such as the “acquisition of wisdom” (Phaedo, 65a), the “sight” of divine beauty (Symposium, 210d–212b), or a mystical experience involving God or divine reality. Although this theme appears in many texts from the Platonic tradition, I focus on three major stages of its development. First, I show how Plato provides the basic framework of the idea that moral virtue is necessary for illumination, especially in his Phaedo and Symposium. Then, I explain how Plotinus synthesizes and substantially develops Plato’s discussions of this idea. Finally, I discuss the Cappadocian Fathers’ (Basil of Caesarea, Gregory of Nyssa, and Gregory Nazianzen) Christianization of this Platonic theme. In other words, Plotinus develops the basic framework of this argument first set forth by Plato, and the Cappadocians then adapt and modify Plotinus’ views to fit their Christian commitments.

The Cappadocian Fathers and Civic Patriotism

1974 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 293-303 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas A. Kopecek
Keyword(s):  
Social Class ◽  
Recent Article ◽  
Fourth Century ◽  
Strong Sense ◽  
Traditional Values ◽  
Family Ties ◽  
Gregory Of Nyssa ◽  
Present Essay ◽  
The Social ◽  
Cappadocian Fathers

In a recent article I argued that the famous Cappadocian Fathers of the fourth century were by birth members of the eastern empire's municipal aristocracy, the so-called curial class. Libanius of Antioch, himself born of a curial family, indicates that this social class was characterized by three traditional values: civic patriotism, devotion to Greek paideia and a strong sense of the importance of family ties and tradition. The purpose of the present essay is to focus on the first and most important component of the threcfold “curial ideal” —that is, civic patriotism — and to investigate the extent to which this value of the social circles to which the Fathers belonged influenced their thought and action as clerics. Although Gregory of Nyssa, the youngest of the Cappadocian Fathers, was not at all immune to the influence of other curial values, our sources reveal little effect of civic patriotism upon his clerical activity. Therefore our study will concentrate on the older Cappadocians, Bishop Gregory the Elder of Nazianzus, his son Bishop Gregory of Nazianzus and Bishop Basil of Caesarea.

The Cappadocians

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Gregory Of Nyssa ◽  
Cappadocian Fathers

This chapter examines the theologies of salvation of the Cappadocian Fathers—Basil of Caesarea, his younger brother Gregory of Nyssa, and their friend Gregory of Nazianzus. The theology of the Cappadocians, though with disagreements among the members at points, is relatively unified under the ideas of the believer’s salvation being collective, that it is our nature that is saved.

The Cappadocians and their Christian Philosophy

2020 ◽  
pp. 15-71
Author(s):  
Johannes Zachhuber
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Fourth Century ◽  
Abstract Theory ◽  
Christian Philosophy ◽  
Gregory Of Nyssa ◽  
Introductory Overview ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
Cappadocian Fathers

This chapter offers an in-depth analysis of the philosophy underlying the teaching of the so-called Cappadocian fathers. After an introductory overview of their historical and intellectual background in the trinitarian controversy of the fourth century, the chapter initially turns to Basil of Caesarea. He introduced a distinctive terminological and conceptual framework to articulate his proposal for a solution to the trinitarian controversy. Philosophically, it is geared towards grammar and logic; it is therefore called the ‘abstract’ dimension of the Cappadocian theory. All three Cappadocians accept this abstract theory. Subsequently, the chapter turns to Gregory of Nyssa who in his cosmological and trinitarian writings develops a corresponding theory geared towards physics and ontology. It will be referred to as the ‘concrete’ dimension of Cappadocian philosophy. These two are conceived as complementary but their difference introduces a conceptual tension into the Cappadocian theory.

scholarly journals Listy Ojców Kapadockich do kobiet

Vox Patrum ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 60 ◽  
pp. 123-146
Author(s):  
Jolanta Dybała
Keyword(s):  
Essential Role ◽  
Early Church ◽  
Gregory Of Nyssa ◽  
Proper Functioning ◽  
Lay People ◽  
Diverse Backgrounds ◽  
Cappadocian Fathers ◽  
Female Audience

The letters of the Cappadocian Fathers serve as part of the evidence that in the early Church correspondence of its leaders played an essential role in ensuring its proper functioning. Among the addresses of the epistles of Basil the Great, Gregory of Nazianzus and Gregory of Nyssa we find a few women. They came from diverse backgrounds. Some of them devoted their lives to the service of God, others were lay people. This article seeks to present a part of the bishops’ corres­pondence and answer questions concerning its female audience. The letters were divided into three groups: 1) consolatory ones; 2) parenetic ones; 3) and the rest of them, that because of their thematic variety were grouped together.

La Vita di Macrina e le Omelie sul Cantico dei Cantici di Gregorio di Nissa

Augustinianum ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-83
Author(s):  
Roberta Franchi ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Mystical Experience ◽  
Theological Reflection ◽  
Song Of Songs ◽  
Gregory Of Nyssa ◽  
Mystical Union

This article analyzes the Life of Macrina by comparing it with the mystical experience of the bride in the Commentary on the Song of Songs, both works written by Gregory of Nyssa. In the Life of Macrina, Gregory adopts the same imagery that he uses to portray the bride in the Commentary on the Song of Songs in order to emphasize Macrina’s angelic status and her pure love for God. Although scholars have pointed out the value of virginity in the life of Macrina, another aspect has to be taken into account: her spousal virginity. Since Gregory uses the paradox within theological reflection and a theological context, Macrina's condition as bride of Christ comes to be realized paradoxically through her choice of virginity. Thanks to her spousal virginity, she joins Christ as His bride. Thus, in keeping with the Commentary on the Song of Songs, Macrina is the bride, Christ is the Bridegroom, and the mystical union is reached.

scholarly journals Pokora w walce z pychą – fundamentalny spór moralno-duchowy w rozumieniu Ojców Kapadockich i Jana Chryzostoma

Vox Patrum ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 59 ◽  
pp. 531-545
Author(s):  
Mariusz Szram
Keyword(s):  
Spiritual Development ◽  
Spiritual Growth ◽  
Gregory Of Nyssa ◽  
John Chrysostom ◽  
More Care ◽  
Cappadocian Fathers ◽  
Risk Characteristic

The aim of the article is to show the specificity of the fundamental fight in the soul and in the life of man between pride and humility as it is seen in the writings of the Cappadocian Fathers and John Chrysostom. In the opinion of the Greek Fathers of the 4th century pride is the root of all sin. It destroys all good fruits in the Christian spiritual development, whereas humility enables and protects spiritual growth. Arguing against the here­tics of their time, mainly against the Arians, the Cappadocian Fathers (especially Gregory of Nazianzus) made particular attention to the theologians’ pride, cha­racterized by the lack of respect for the mysteries of God and being proud that is without moderation in talking about God. Gregory of Nyssa pointed out the perversity of the vice of pride: the arbitrary exaltation leads finally to the great unwanted humiliation and even to fall into the sin. John Chrysostom em­phasized the paradoxical risk characteristic of the process of spiritual fight: one can brag because of owned humility and enjoy it. Then even true humility can imperceptibly transform into pride and become its source. Therefore the righteous people should avoid the pride and seek humility with more care than sinners.

scholarly journals „Szaty ze skór”: kara czy ratunek dla człowieka? Patrystyczna interpretacja Rdz 3, 21

Vox Patrum ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 55 ◽  
pp. 463-475
Author(s):  
Józef Naumowicz
Keyword(s):  
Image Of God ◽  
Gregory Of Nyssa ◽  
History Of ◽  
Cappadocian Fathers ◽  
The Image Of God

In giving different allegorical meanings to the „garments of skins” (Gen 3:21) given to man after the Fall (mortality, corporeality, carnal mentality, animality, passions), the patristic authors tried not only to describe the effects of the sin of the first people, but also and above all to show what God did to ensure that the consequences of the Fall did not last forever and that a return to paradise might be possible. What most interested them was the meaning of these garments in the history of salvation. So Irenaeus of Lyon formed the concept of these garments as an antidote or medicine for sin, a concept developed later by the Cappadocian fathers. Gregory of Nyssa emphasized the fact that they permitted the preservation of man’s freedom and other characteristics of his having been formed in the image of God (rationality). In short, they were given in order to open a road for man to God, to make possible a return to paradise. Even if they signify the effects of the fall of man, which effects can be held to be burdensome and trying, they are not an expression of the Creator’s anger and punishment, but rather deliverance for man and a chance of salvation. They can at most be considered as „a divine way of punishing”, which is ultimately „a manifestation of mercy” (Gregory of Nazianzen).

scholarly journals The Orations of the Cappadocian Fathers on Lepers

Lumen et Vita ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-20
Author(s):  
Carlo Calleja
Keyword(s):  
Gregory Of Nyssa ◽  
Cappadocian Fathers ◽  
Kinship Language

The aim of this paper is to understand what might effectively serve to exhort the practice of the virtue of solidarity with the socially alienated. Three orations on lepers: one by Gregory of Nazianzus, and two by Gregory of Nyssa, will be studied. The methods used to engender the virtue of solidarity with the lepers in these orations will be analyzed. Redefining classical Greek virtues in a Christian theological framework; sensitizing the listeners by appealing to emotions through the use of concrete examples; attempting to restore alienated kinship by retrieving kinship language; and encouraging a tangible encounter with lepers prove to be important elements. How the Gregorys appealed to non-Christians will also be considered. I conclude that through these three orations, the Gregorys teach us that the conviction to cultivate the virtue of solidarity is inculcated by engaging closely with those whose identity appears different from one’s own.

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