Orthodoxy and Philosophy

[MariaRegina]

by Constantine Cavarnos

Lectures delivered at St. Tikhon's Orthodox Theological Seminary

and published by the Institute for Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies

Belmont, Massachusetts, 2003 first printing


Has anyone read this new publication? It explains the difference between the Eastern and Western philosophy and spirituality. Professor Cavarnos says that the Greek philosophers prepared the way for the Logos with their discussions about the unmoved Mover -- as God doesn't change.

I was amazed when I read the ancient Greek classic, Oedipus Rex. The idea that one man had to die for all was put forth in that book before the Logos became incarnate in the Ever-Virgin Mary, the Theotokos.

 

[Suzannah]

Hi ...! I've not read this of course, but I do want to say that God does seem to prepare the hearts of nations to receive Jesus. The Irish pagans also had a similar idea and story, and so it was very easy for them to embrace Christianity.

 

[Reader Nilus]

There is Odin hanging on the world tree to save his people in Viking mythology. You will find that the Gospel is prefigured in someway in all of the mythologies of the various peoples of the world.
Jeff the Finn

 

[Moros]

Orthodoxy has what I call "thestic existentialism."

Residing in a monastery on Mt. Athos, so I'm told, are two Icons of I believe Plato and Socrates. Minus halos, of course.

 

[Oblio]

Scripture speaks of this.

That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: ...

IOW, Greek thought and philosophy prepared the way for the spreading of the Gospel.

 

[MariaRegina]

When St. Paul visited the Greeks, he commended them for their altar dedicated to the Unknown God.

The Greeks were right, of course, we cannot know God in His Essence. We only know God through the Incarnate Logos, Who became Man so that we might know God by Grace.