The Experience of God as Light in the Orthodox Tradition
This article explores the sense of John the Evangelist's expression God is Light (1 Jn 1.5) in the Orthodox tradition, both in the experience of mystics and its theological ramifications. The article reviews the scriptural basis for the experience of God as Light and presents first-hand account...
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
|
| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Brill
[2019]
|
| In: |
Journal of pentecostal theology
Year: 2019, Volume: 28, Issue: 2, Pages: 165-185 |
| IxTheo Classification: | HC New Testament KAE Church history 900-1300; high Middle Ages KAH Church history 1648-1913; modern history KAJ Church history 1914-; recent history KDF Orthodox Church NBF Christology NBK Soteriology |
| Further subjects: | B
Seraphim of Sarov
B Sophrony Sakharov B divine energies B Transfiguration B Theosis B Uncreated Light B Symeon the New Theologian |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (Resolving-System) Volltext (doi) |
| Summary: | This article explores the sense of John the Evangelist's expression God is Light (1 Jn 1.5) in the Orthodox tradition, both in the experience of mystics and its theological ramifications. The article reviews the scriptural basis for the experience of God as Light and presents first-hand accounts in Symeon the New Theologian (949-1022), Seraphim of Sarov (1759-1833), Archimandrite Sophrony (Sakharov) (1896-1993), and Nicolae Steinhardt (1912-1989), and in Orthodox liturgical services. Beyond a metaphorical expression or a psychological experience, God as Light, often called the Uncreated Light', in Orthodox theology is considered an experience of the divine energies, as distinct from the divine essence, a theology elaborated notably by Gregory Palamas (1296-1359), and is a foretaste of union with God, deification' or theosis. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 1745-5251 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Journal of pentecostal theology
|
| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1163/17455251-02802002 |