Mystical Theology and the Exegesis of Transfiguration in St. Maximus the Confessor
https://doi.org/10.31802/2658-4476-2019-2-2-145-176
Abstract
The article discusses Maximus the Confessor’s interpretations of the Transfiguration of the Lord, which are compared to his doctrine of mystical theology. It proves that Transfiguration was contemplated by Maximus to be a kind of paradigm of mystical theology. A comparison of some key concepts of Maximus’s mystical theology is made, on the one hand, with that of the Corpus Areopagiticum, and on the other — with the teachings of St. Gregory Palamas. Remaining loyal to the main points of the teachings of the Areopagite, Maxim gave them a clearer Christological and experimental anthropological interpretation. As for the teachings of St. Gregory Palamas, despite some differences in terminology, (especially the understanding of apophaticism), Maximus’s exegesis of the Transfiguration and his doctrine of mystical theology as a whole can be reconciled with the main provisions of Palamas. At the same time, it is necessary to remember that Maximus answered other questions, the nature and character of the perception of the light of Thabor was not at the centre of his discussion.
About the Authors
G. I. BenevichRussian Federation
Grigoriı˘ I. Benevich - PhD in Culturology Free Researcher
Poste restante, St. Petersburg, 197101
D. A. Chernoglazov
Saint-Petersburg University of the Humanities
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Dmitriı˘ A. Chernoglazov - PhD in Philology Associate Professor of the Department of General Linguistics of Philological Faculty
11, auditorium 184, Universitetskaya nab., Saint-Petersburg 199034
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Review
For citations:
Benevich G.I., Chernoglazov D.A. Mystical Theology and the Exegesis of Transfiguration in St. Maximus the Confessor. Bible and Christian Antiquity. 2019;(2):145-176. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.31802/2658-4476-2019-2-2-145-176
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