Filioque, Theosis, and Ecclesia: Augustine in Dialogue with Modern Orthodox Theology. (4th September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Iacovetti, Christopher
• Is Part Of: Modern theology. Volume 34:Number 1(2018)
• Page Start: 70
• Page End: 81
• Publication Date: 2017-09-04
• Subjects: Theology -- Periodicals; Philosophical theology -- Periodicals; 230.01
• DOI: 10.1111/moth.12369
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0266-7177

Abstract

Abstract: By bringing recent developments in Augustine scholarship into conversation with modern Orthodox criticisms of Augustine, this article challenges the polemical Orthodox claim that Augustinian pneumatology logically undermines the doctrine of theosis . Indeed, in Augustine's own case, I argue that just the opposite is true: Augustine's "filioquist" pneumatology is precisely what leads him, ahead of his contemporaries, to advance a robustly ecclesial and trinitarian account of deification. Augustine should therefore be seen not as an opponent but as a crucial conversation partner for Orthodox theology, addressing in advance many of the ecclesiological and trinitarian questions with which the latter has engaged in recent centuries.