Communion and Otherness

Further Studies in Personhood and the Church
Erscheinungsjahr 2006
ISBN: 978-0-567-03147-1
Verlag: Continnuum-3PL

Buch, Englisch, 336 Seiten, Format (B × H): 161 mm x 240 mm, Gewicht: 661 g

John Zizioulas is one of the best known Orthodox contemporary theologians
- The celebrated work Being as Communion is one of the standard works on the trinity - this complementing book explores his understanding of communion theology further
- Will be a major contribution to the dialogue between East and West, and between theology and culture

‘Communion and otherness: how can these be reconciled?’ In this wide-ranging study, the distinguished Orthodox theologian, Metropolitan John (Zizioulas) of Pergamon, seeks to answer that question. In his celebrated book, Being as Communion (1985), he emphasised the importance of communion for life and for unity. In this important companion volume he now explores the complementary fact that communion is the basis for true otherness and identity.

With a constant awareness of the deepest existential questions of today, Metropolitan John probes the Christian tradition and highlights the existential concerns that already underlay the writings of the Greek fathers and the definitions of the early ecumenical councils. In a vigorous and challenging way, he defends the freedom to be other as an intrinsic characteristic of personhood, fulfilled only in communion.

After a major opening chapter on the ontology of otherness, written specially for this volume, the theme is systematically developed with reference to the Trinity, Christology, anthropology and ecclesiology. Another new chapter defends the idea that the Father is cause of the Trinity, as taught by the Cappadocian fathers, and replies to criticisms of this view. The final chapter responds to the customary separation of ecclesiology from mysticism and strongly favours a mystical understanding of the body of Christ as a whole. Other papers, previously published but some not easily obtainable, are all revised for their inclusion here.

This is a further contribution to dialogue on some of the most vital issues for theology and the Church from one of the leading figures in modern ecumenism.

Zielgruppe

Academics, Clergy, Postgraduate

Autoren/Hrsg.

Zizioulas, John

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Christentum, Christliche Theologie Praktische Theologie Liturgik, Christliche Anbetung, Sakramente, Rituale, Feiertage
• Geisteswissenschaften Christentum, Christliche Theologie Christentum/Christliche Theologie Allgemein Ökumenik, Konfessionskunde
• Geisteswissenschaften Christentum, Christliche Theologie Systematische Theologie

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Introduction: Communion and Otherness
1. On Being Other: Towards an Ontology of Otherness
2. On Being a Person: Towards an Ontology of Personhood
3. The Father as Cause: Personhood Generating Otherness
4. The Trinity and Personhood: Appreciating the Cappadocian Contribution
5. Pneumatology and the Importance of the Person: A Commentary on the Second Ecumenical Council
6. Human Capacity and Human Incapacity: A Theological Exploration of Personhood
7. "Created" and "Uncreated": The Existential Significance of Chalcedonian Christology
8. The Church as the "Mystical" Body of Christ: Towards an Ecclesial Mysticism

Über Autor(innen)

John D. Zizioulas, Metropolitan of Pergamon, was previously Professor of Systematic Theology at the University of Glasgow and Visiting Professor at King's College, London. He is the author of Being as Communion (1985), and has been a major Orthodox contributor to modern ecumenical discussion.
Paul McPartlan is Professor at the Catholic University of America.