What Does It Mean to Be a Creature? Reflections from the Early Christian Theologians

This paper is not an exercise in patristic disability theology; rather it seeks to explore the theological anthropology of the Fathers, particularly Augustine and Gregory of Nyssa, in such a way as to shed light on how they understood human physicality and limitation, morbidity and mortality. The ke...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Young, Frances M. 1939- (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Routledge, Taylor and Francis Group [2019]
In: Medieval mystical theology
Year: 2019, Volume: 28, Issue: 2, Pages: 130-142
IxTheo Classification:KAB Church history 30-500; early Christianity
NBD Doctrine of Creation
Further subjects:B Sanctity
B Resurrection
B Creation
B Image
B Body
B LIMITATION
Online Access: Volltext (Resolving-System)
Description
Summary:This paper is not an exercise in patristic disability theology; rather it seeks to explore the theological anthropology of the Fathers, particularly Augustine and Gregory of Nyssa, in such a way as to shed light on how they understood human physicality and limitation, morbidity and mortality. The key is the doctrine of creation and the consequent recognition of humankind as a creature (1) constituted of soul and body, thus to be re-created at the resurrection rather than continuing to exist as an inherently immortal soul, and (2) made in the image of God, the image, or portrait, being manifest in a medium other than what is imaged. Personal testimony indicates the relevance of these points for the sacredness of bodies, even of those impaired or disabled.
ISSN:2046-5734
Contains:Enthalten in: Medieval mystical theology
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1080/20465726.2019.1698819