Wisdom in Christian Tradition: The Patristic Roots of Modern Russian Sophiology

Wisdom in Christian Tradition explores the theme of wisdom in patristic, Byzantine, and medieval theology, in conversation with modern Russian Sophiology. Three principal levels of Christian wisdom discourse are distinguished: wisdom as human attainment, wisdom as divine gift, and wisdom as an attribute or quality of God. This book evaluates Sophiology's claim to patristic continuity and offers a radical re-thinking of Sophiology in line with patristic tradition.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 09 June 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Wisdom in Christian Tradition delves into a comprehensive examination of the concept of wisdom in patristic, Byzantine, and medieval theology, spanning from the early Church Fathers to Gregory Palamas and Thomas Aquinas in the Greek East and Latin West, respectively. Three primary levels of Christian wisdom discourse are identified: wisdom as human attainment, wisdom as divine gift, and wisdom as an attribute or quality of God. This exploration unfolds in dialogue with modern Russian Sophiology, a prominent and widely debated theological movement of our time.

Sophiology is characterized by the notion of a primal pre-principle of divine-human unity (Sophia) manifesting in both uncreated and created forms, serving as the fundamental foundation of all existence. It is a multifaceted phenomenon with diverse sources and inspirations, including the Church Fathers. Indeed, fidelity to patristic tradition played a significant role in Sophiology's self-understanding and self-articulation, particularly in the work of its renowned exponent, Fr Sergius Bulgakov (1871-1944). This "unmodern turn" to patristic sources, as it is termed here, has been a subject of intense debate.

This book aims to provide a thorough evaluation of Sophiology's claim to patristic continuity. In the final chapter, a radical re-thinking of Sophiology is presented, aligning it with patristic tradition while retaining its most distinctive insights and relevant applications while addressing some of its more problematic aspects. By exploring the interplay between wisdom in Christian tradition and Sophiology, this work offers a fresh perspective on the nature and significance of wisdom in the Christian faith.

Weight: 568g
Dimension: 240 x 160 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192863225