REASON, REVELATION, AND CONTEMPLATION IN THE THEOLOGY OF ST. JOHN OF DAMASCUS
REASON, REVELATION, AND CONTEMPLATION IN THE THEOLOGY OF ST. JOHN OF DAMASCUS
Author(s): Cristian DragomirescuSubject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, History of Church(es), Theology and Religion, Biblical studies, Eastern Orthodoxy, Other Christian Denominations, Sociology of Religion, History of Religion, Psychology of Religion
Published by: Editura Arhipelag XXI
Keywords: Reason and revelation; St. John of Damascus; divine knowledge; byzantine scholasticism; theological epistemology; natural theology; christian philosophy
Summary/Abstract: This article explores the function of reason in the knowledge of God according to St. John of Damascus, highlighting his unique position as the principal architect of Eastern Christian scholasticism. For John, reason is not opposed to faith but operates as its natural ally, enabling the human person to discern the order of creation and recognize the divine presence reflected within it. Rooted in a theology that affirms both the intelligibility of the world and the spiritual orientation of the human mind, the Damascene understanding of reason integrates philosophical inquiry with revealed truth. By analyzing the relationship between natural knowledge, contemplative ascent, and the illumination of grace, this study reveals how John constructs a holistic epistemology in which reason becomes a path toward communion rather than an autonomous instrument. Furthermore, the article examines how this synthesis shapes John’s defense of Christian doctrine and his contribution to the development of theological method. Ultimately, reason emerges as an essential dimension of the human vocation: a gift through which the person participates in divine wisdom and responds to the call of truth.
Journal: Journal of Romanian Literary Studies
- Issue Year: 2025
- Issue No: 43
- Page Range: 1170-1178
- Page Count: 9
- Language: Romanian
