Difference between theoria and praxis?

SingularityOne

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Theoria gets misconstrued in our western culture. So I'm wondering what this "contemplation of God" actually means. I think it to be "putting out of mind the thoughts of the created and putting in the uncreated", but I'm not sure what that means or if I'm correct in my assessment.

On the other side, it seems that true praxis cannot be separated from theoria. the more one grows in theosis, the more pure/true that one's theoria and praxis will be.

My question mainly is: "What is theoria and what is praxis purged from a western mindset?"
 

SingularityOne

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theoria is the vision of God in His glory. praxis is that vision lived out.
Praxis makes sense.

However, do you mind explaining theoria a bit more? How does one know that they are actually having a vision of God in His glory or not?
 
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ArmyMatt

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Praxis makes sense.

However, do you mind explaining theoria a bit more? How does one know that they are actually having a vision of God in His glory or not?

well, He is God and almighty, so He can let you know and erase doubt.

but a good test is if you become aware of your sinfulness and just how much of a creature you are, and at the same time being enveloped by God's love and the peace and joy that comes with that.
 
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SingularityOne

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well, He is God and almighty, so He can let you know and erase doubt.

but a good test is if you become aware of your sinfulness and just how much of a creature you are, and at the same time being enveloped by God's love and the peace and joy that comes with that.

Thanks for the clarification!
 
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ArmyMatt

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can you explain the difference between theoria and the western idea of the beatific vision?

theoria is seeing God as the risen Christ in His Uncreated energies. the beatific vision is seeing God in His essence.
 
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AMM

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theoria is seeing God as the risen Christ in His Uncreated energies. the beatific vision is seeing God in His essence.
so both are beholding God, and sort of the same basic concept, but "beatific vision" is the Roman terminology and as such is associated with some of their heresies?
 
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ArmyMatt

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so both are beholding God, and sort of the same basic concept, but "beatific vision" is the Roman terminology and as such is associated with some of their heresies?

yes. for us, you can never behold God's essence
 
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AMM

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yes. for us, you can never behold God's essence
can we ever behold any essence? Like human essence, for example? That would make sense intuitively. And does the essence/energy distinction apply to the whole created world, as a reflection of the uncreated Creator?
 
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ArmyMatt

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can we ever behold any essence? Like human essence, for example? That would make sense intuitively. And does the essence/energy distinction apply to the whole created world, as a reflection of the uncreated Creator?

no, we never behold any essence. what we do is communicate through the essential energies. there is no nature, Uncreated or created, that doesn't have energies/operations/activity.
 
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