Autobiography and theology do not necessarily belong together. There are many theologians who reveal nothing directly of themselves in their writings. There are, however, exceptions, beginning with the Apostle Paul, who reveals something of himself in his letters to the churches. These exceptions do not, so far as I can see, constitute a tradition; they[…..]
Section: Bulgakov in Focus
The Sophianic Spirituality of Father Sergii Bulgakov
Sergii Bulgakov’s great love for the biblical figure of Sophia, or holy Wisdom, a love that shines from so many of his writings, was a natural outworking of his life’s journey as a priest and spiritual father. Bulgakov was an accomplished scholar, to be sure, but he was also a dedicated pastor.
Theosis in Bulgakov: The Fulfillment of Creation’s Sophianicity
Theosis is defined by Dionysius the Areopagite as “the attaining of likeness to God and union with him so far as possible.” Sergii Nikolaevich Bulgakov came to his mature understanding of theosis as a result of a personal spiritual journey that took him from Marxist materialism (although he was to deny that he had ever[…..]
All Things Shining: Sergii Bulgakov’s Theology of Beauty
Everything is more than itself. Everything shines. It shines because all things are transparent; and beauty, glory is the shining of God through all things: theophaneia. Our essay will explore in Bulgakov’s theology the structure of this shining, in both God and creation, in both the Divine and the Creaturely Sophias. This structure is the[…..]