Episode 7: Conclusions, “St Gregory Palamas: An Introduction.”

Send us Fan MailSeries: Mystical TheologyUnit 14: Gregory PalamasEpisode 7: ConclusionsAre you ready to unravel the profound mysteries of Orthodox theology? We promise an enlightening journey as we immerse ourselves in the world of theosis and the revelation of God. Our exploration mentions briefly the significant contributions of Dionysius the Areopagite and the criticisms put forth by William of Ockham against Scholasticism's realist view. We tackle the notion that neither the analogia entis nor the analogia fidei apply to God, and that without illumination and theosis,  Holy Scripture remains cannot be interpreted correctly. We underline the fact that the Orthodox faith transcends concepts about God and is based on the vision of Christ in glory.The second phase of our discussion puts the spotlight on Christology and the intimate bond we can form with God through the incarnation. We examine St. Gregory Palamas' doctrine of the essence and energy of God, the role of the church, repentance, and the significance of the divine Eucharist in the Christian life. We further study the intersection of Orthodox theology with the ascetic life and how it manifests in our daily practices. Embark on this captivating exploration of theology with us and gain a deeper understanding of the beauty and mystery of the Christian faith.The seventh episode in this unit is by way of conclusion, consisting of observations regarding the role and significance of St. Gregory Palamas in the life of the Orthodox Church, specifically, and in the history of Christian doctrine more generally.Dr. Veniamin’s purpose is simply to remind us of the ascetic and pastoral context of Hesychast theology, which is the life of the people of God, going back to the patriarchs, prophets and saints of all generations - it is the life of that prayer and stillness which prepares us for the encounter with God.Q&As related to Episode 7 available in The Professor’s Blog.Recommended background reading: Christopher Veniamin, ed., Saint Gregory Palamas: The Homilies (Dalton PA: 2022).TIMESTAMPS00:00 Summary01:15 The Bible and “theosis”02:49 Palamas represents empirical theology06:12 1 Cor. 12:2606:49 Two forms of knowledge 08:19 Language of Scripture 09:38 No Subject–Object in God10:40 Hypostasis12:14 Incarnation14:25 Repentance and thanksgiving 15:50 Real conclusion16:08 Essence–Energies distinction 19:24 True basis of theology21:30 Practical relevance of doctrine22:38 Gregory not an "optional extra"It is hoped that these presentations will help the enquirer discern the profound interrelationship between Orthodox theology and the Orthodox Christian life, and to identify the ascetic and pastoral significance of the Orthodox ethos contained therein. Join the Mount Thabor Academy Podcasts and help us to bring podcasts on Orthodox theology and the spiritual life to the wider community. Support the showIf you enjoy our podcast, consider supporting our The Mount Thabor Academy Patreon page, to unlock exclusive, member-only content.Print Books by MOUNT THABOR PUBLISHINGeBooks Amazon Kindle Contact us: [email protected]. Christopher Veniamin D.Phil. (Oxon.)