'Ritual as erotic anagogy in Pseudo-Dionysius: a Reformed critique'. Issue 3 (27th May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Darley, Alan Philip
• Is Part Of: International journal of philosophy and theology. Volume 79:Issue 3(2018)
• Page Start: 261
• Page End: 278
• Publication Date: 2018-05-27
• Subjects: Pseudo-Dionysius -- ritual -- anagogy -- agape and eros -- Neoplatonism -- theurgy -- Proclus -- sacramental theology -- Martin Luther -- Reformation -- theologia cruxis -- monophysitism -- Syria; Philosophy and religion -- Periodicals; 230
• DOI: 10.1080/21692327.2017.1387805
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2169-2327

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Martin Luther famously denounced Pseudo-Dionysius as 'downright dangerous; he Platonizes more than he Christianizes.' In this 500th year of the Reformation I critically examine Luther's judgement firstly by exploring the Neoplatonic background to ritual in Dionysius, secondly by presenting a Reformed critique of this background and finally by arguing for a distinctively Christian Dionysius who survives this critique.