Two models of salvation in relation to christological understanding in the patristic East
The thesis aims to demonstrate the existence of two distinct strands of development within the soteriological thinking of the eastern fathers, strands which have sometimes been identified due to their use of similar terminology. It is argued that one tradition, represented in the thesis by the so-called catechetical 'school' of third century Alexandria, frames its understanding of salvation within the conceptuality provided by contemporary philosophical thought in an effort to accomodate the Christian gospel to the ears of its hearers. Here salvation is presented as the liberation of the human soul to participate through contemplation and disciplined ascent in the realm of ideas and reason. The christology inherent within this tradition is, we argue, unable to affirm either the full divinity or the full human integrity of the Saviour. The theme of a proper <i>incarnation </i> or <i>inhomination</i> of the divine Logos is not vital to the essentially subject-centred model of salvation adhered to. A contrast is drawn between this view of salvation as the <i>deification</i> of man on the one hand, and another model which, whilst employing the language of <i>deification</i> to describe what takes place in the
Hart, Trevor Andrew
Salvation ; Fathers of the church ; Philosophy and religion
Two models of salvation in relation to christological understanding in the patristic East. The thesis aims to demonstrate the existence of two distinct strands of development within the soteriological thinking of the eastern fathers, strands which have sometimes been identified due to their use of similar terminology. It is argued that one tradition, represented in the thesis by the so-called catechetical 'school' of third century Alexandria, frames its understanding of salvation within the conceptuality provided by contemporary philosophical thought in an effort to accomodate the Christian gospel to the ears of its hearers. Here salvation is presented as the liberation of the human soul to participate through contemplation and disciplined ascent in the realm of ideas and reason. The christology inherent within this tradition is, we argue, unable to affirm either the full divinity or the full human integrity of the Saviour. The theme of a proper <i>incarnation </i> or <i>inhomination</i> of the divine Logos is not vital to the essentially subject-centred model of salvation adhered to. A contrast is drawn between this view of salvation as the <i>deification</i> of man on the one hand, and another model which, whilst employing the language of <i>deification</i> to describe what takes place in the
model salvation relation christological patristic east aim existence two_distinct strand development within soteriological think eastern father strand sometimes identify due use similar terminology argue tradition represent so_called catechetical school third_century alexandria frame salvation within provide contemporary philosophical_thought effort christian gospel hearer salvation present liberation human_soul participate contemplation discipline realm idea reason christology inherent within_tradition argue unable affirm either full divinity full human integrity theme proper incarnation divine logos vital essentially subject centred model salvation adhere contrast drawn view salvation deification man one_hand another model whilst employ language deification describe take_place