Knowledge and Experience in the Theology of Gregory Palamas (Studies in Eastern Orthodoxy)

234 Pages·2018·2.678 MB·English

by  James Blackstone

Studies in Eastern Orthodoxy
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PETER LANG
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James Blackstone studied at Peterhouse in the University of Cambridge
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for a first degree in Theology and Religious Studies and later completed l
a
doctoral research as Decani Scholar at Clare College, Cambridge, from c
k
which this book is derived. He has worked variously in education and is s
t
currently engaged in the field of iconography. o
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e
www.peterlang.com
Studies in Eastern Orthodoxy
TK
hn
eo
ow Knowledge and
l
This book questions the extent to which knowledge and experience can ol
e
g
be reasonably, if at all, separated in consideration of the divine. Gregory d
y
g
Palamas’s dynamic patterning of unions and distinctions provides the oe Experience in
f
context for a response to this question in which the breadth and depth a
Gn
of human functioning is explored - from the body to the passions to rd
e

the intellect. In the course of close analysis of Palamas’s writings, the gE the Theology of
ox
author presents from Palamas a thoroughly apophatic and an iconic rp
ye
mode of understanding the whole human person so as to mark out a Pr
i
fully integrated theological anthropology. ae Gregory Palamas
ln
a
mc
e
a i
sn

t
h James Blackstone
e

PETER LANG
J
a
m
e
s
James Blackstone studied at Peterhouse in the University of Cambridge
B
for a first degree in Theology and Religious Studies and later completed l
a
doctoral research as Decani Scholar at Clare College, Cambridge, from c
k
which this book is derived. He has worked variously in education and is s
t
currently engaged in the field of iconography. o
n
e
www.peterlang.com
Studies in Eastern Orthodoxy
TK
hn
eo
ow Knowledge and
This book questions the extent to which knowledge and experience can lol Knowledge and Experience
e
g
be reasonably, if at all, separated in consideration of the divine. Gregory d
y g in the Theology of
Palamas’s dynamic patterning of unions and distinctions provides the oe Experience in
context for a response to this question in which the breadth and depth f a Gregory Palamas
Gn
of human functioning is explored - from the body to the passions to rd
e

the intellect. In the course of close analysis of Palamas’s writings, the gE the Theology of
ox
author presents from Palamas a thoroughly apophatic and an iconic rp
ye
mode of understanding the whole human person so as to mark out a Pr
i
fully integrated theological anthropology. ae Gregory Palamas
ln
a
mc
e
a i
sn

t
h James Blackstone
e

PETER LANG
J
a
m
e
s
James Blackstone studied at Peterhouse in the University of Cambridge
B
for a first degree in Theology and Religious Studies and later completed l
a
doctoral research as Decani Scholar at Clare College, Cambridge, from c
k
which this book is derived. He has worked variously in education and is s
t
currently engaged in the field of iconography. o
n
e
www.peterlang.com
Studies in Eastern Orthodoxy
PETER LANG
Oxford • Bern • Berlin • Bruxelles • Frankfurt am Main • New York • Wien
Knowledge and
Experience in
the Theology of
Gregory Palamas
James Blackstone
PETER LANG
Oxford • Bern • Berlin • Bruxelles • Frankfurt am Main • New York • Wien
Bibliographic information published by Die Deutsche Nationalbibliothek.
Die Deutsche Nationalbibliothek lists this publication in the Deutsche National-
bibliografie; detailed bibliographic data is available on the Internet at
http://dnb.d-nb.de.
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Blackstone, J. (James), author.
Title: Knowledge and experience in the theology of Gregory Palamas / James
Blackstone.
Description: Oxford ; New York : Peter Lang, [2018] | Series: Eastern
orthodoxy ; 3 | Includes bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2018036791 | ISBN 9781788743990 (alk. paper)
Subjects: LCSH: Gregory Palamas, Saint, 1296-1359. | Knowledge, Theory of
(Religion) | Experience (Religion)
Classification: LCC BX395.P318 B73 2018 | DDC 230/.19092--dc23 LC record
available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018036791
isbn 978-1-78874-399-0 (print)
isbn 978-1-78874-400-3 (ePDF)
isbn 978-1-78874-401-0 (ePub)
isbn 978-1-78874-402-7 (Mobi)
Published by Peter Lang Ltd, International Academic Publishers,
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[email protected], www.peterlang.com
All rights reserved.
All parts of this publication are protected by copyright.
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This publication has been peer reviewed.
For my parents

Contents
Acknowledgements ix
Abbreviations xi
Introduction 1
Chapter 1
Monk, Hesychast and Intellectual 9
Chapter 2
Apophatic Patterning 35
Chapter 3
Nous 61
Chapter 4
Heart 85
Chapter 5
Dispassionate Passion and Sacramental Vision 113
Chapter 6
Icon 155
Conclusion 179
Bibliography 185
Index 205