About the Book
This book presents the first debate between the contemporary movement Radical Orthodoxy and Eastern Orthodox theologians. Leading international scholars offer new insights and reflections on a wide range of contemporary issues from a specifically theological and philosophical perspective. The ancient notion of divine Wisdom (Sophia) serves as a common point of reference in this encounter. Both Radical and Eastern Orthodoxy agree that the transfiguration of the world through the Word is at the very centre of the Christian faith. The book explores how this process of transformation can be envisaged with regard to epistemological, ontological, aesthetical, ecclesiological and political questions. Contributors to this volume include Rowan Williams, John Milbank, Antoine Arjakovsky, Michael Northcott, Nicholas Loudovikos, Andrew Louth and Catherine Pickstock.
Table of Contents:
Introduction Transfiguring the World through the Word, Adrian Pabst, Christopstoph Schneider; Part I Sophia, Theology and Philosophy; Chapter 1 Glorification of the Name and Grammar of Wisdom (Sergii Bulgakov and Jean-Marc Ferry), Antoine Arjakovsky; Commentary, Rowan Williams; Chapter 2 Sophiology and Theurgy: The New Theological Horizon, John Milbank; Commentary, Antoine Arjakovsky, Adrian Pabst; Part II Sophia, Politics and Ecclesiology; Chapter 3 The Metaphysics of Hope and the Transfiguration of Making in the Market Empire, Michael Northcott; Chapter 4 Wisdom and the Art of Politics, Adrian Pabst; Part III Ontology, East and West; Chapter 5 Ontology Celebrated: Remarks of an Orthodox on Radical Orthodoxy, Nicholas Loudovikos; Commentary Ecumenical Orthodoxy – A Response to Nicholas Loudovikos, John Milbank; Chapter 6 Kenosis, Poiesis and Genesis: Or the Theological Aesthetics of Suffering, Graham Ward; Commentary Silence, Intellect and Discourse in the Quest for the True Teaching – Reflections on Hermes Trismegistos’ ‘Definitions’ 22 The author expresses his gratitude to Christoph Schneider for his invitation to take part in this exchange and to the Rev. Peter F. Johnson, Charles Lock and John Lindsay Opie for helping the author improve his English style., Igor Dorfmann-Lazarev; Chapter 7 The Beatific Vision of St Thomas Aquinas 1 Much of the most recent scholarship on the beatific vision has been French. The longest and most sustained treatment is that given by Christian Trottman, La Vision Béatifique, des disputes scholastiques à sa définition par Benoît XII (Rome, 1995). See also his Théologie et Noétique au XIII Siècle (Paris, 1999). Important works also include Pierre-Yves Maillard, La Vision de Dieu Chez Thomas D’Aquin (Paris, 2001). Jean-Pierre Torrell, Recherches Thomasiennes (Paris, 2000) especially chapter V. See also Aletheia, the special issue on Nature et Grâce, 19, June (2001). And also Otto-Hermann Pesch and Jean-Marie Van Cangh, Béatitude eschatologique et bonheur humain (Paris, 2005). In English see also Anna N. Williams, The Ground of Union: Deification in Aquinas and Palmas (Oxford, 1999)., Phillip Blond; Part IV Orthodoxy and Transfiguration; Chapter 8 Space, Time and the Liturgy, Andrew Louth; Commentary Liturgical Twilight – A Footnote to Andrew Louth, Catherine Pickstock; Chapter 9 Wisdom in the Fathers: An (Eastern) Orthodox Perspective, Marcus Plested; Chapter 10 The Theologico-Political Constitution of Monastic Liturgy, Mihail Neamtu; Chapter 11 The Transformation of Eros: Reflections on Desire in Jacques Lacan, Christoph Schneider;
About the Author :
Adrian Pabst is a Leverhulme Research Fellow at the Department of Theology and Religious Studies in the University of Nottingham, UK. Christoph Schneider is a temporary Research Assistant at the University of Bern, Switzerland. David Bentley Hart, Adrian Pabst, Christoph Schneider, Antoine Arjakovsky, Rowan Williams, John Milbank, Michael Northcott, Nicholas Loudovikos, Graham Ward, Igor Dorfman-Lazarev, Phillip Blond, Andrew Louth, Catherine Pickstock, Marcus Plested, Mihail Neamtu.
Review :
This excellent collection surprises at many turns. It offers not only a unique perspective onto a theological dialogue so far unheard, it also opens up new avenues in theological conversation for both participants - the Radically Orthodox and members of the Eastern Orthodox family. Radical Orthodoxy is pushed to articulate a theology of tradition and to locate its own theology of participation within the Patristic patrimony far more deeply than before; the Eastern Orthodox are pushed toward a re-engagment with Bulgakov and the theosophical tradition so attractive to the Radically Orthodox. There is much here for all interested in the future of serious theological dialogue. Lewis Ayres, Candler School of Theology, Emory University This is a stimulating and fruitful exchange between Eastern Orthodoxy and Radical Orthodoxy by leading scholars of each that both draws upon tradition and opens horizons for the future. Addressing the problems of modernity from their different starting points, the collection offers profound material for reflecting upon our own situation. It deserves a wide readership and will amply repay serious engagement. John Behr, Dean, St Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary ’This book has two things to recommend it: the importance of the Eastern Orthodox-Radical Orthodox dialogue which it proposes, and the high quality of the individual contributions. The Eastern Orthodox-Radical Orthodox dialogue promises to enrich contemporary theology and has considerable ecumenical significance.’ Modern Theology 'This is an encouraging, demanding and important book, which brings together two traditions sharing much in common radically and traditionally, with significant divergences. The conversation is robust but courteous: this is an academic disputatio, rather than an ecumenical dialogue. I hope that the conversation will remain ongoing.' Modern Believing
