In defense of St. Maximilian the Theologian Cover Image

W obronie św. Maksymiliana jako Teologa
In defense of St. Maximilian the Theologian

Author(s): Ignacy Kosmana
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, Philosophy of Religion, Hermeneutics, Sociology of Religion
Published by: Wyższe Seminarium Duchowne w Łodzi
Keywords: Theology; Theologian; Max; deification; deification;

Summary/Abstract: The author disagrees with opinions of certain theologians which refuse St. Maximilian the title of Theologian. In his thinking coming from the concept of theology being understood from the Slovian root word − Bogo-słowije, which is equal to the Greek Theo-logia; in analogy – theology means: God’s Word Bogosłow (gr. Theologos). On the basis of Fr. Kolbe’s writings, the author proves his point that not only can St. Maximilian be counted as a theologian, but also among the elite group of the Three Theologians. A Theologian is not only a person „learned in Scriptures”, but a mystic, a person who comes to know God through contemplation, which does not come without the intellect’s part also. The main „instrument” of knowledge of God is prayer. Prayer brings a person to divinization. With divinization (sanctification), full human knowledge and being are realized. A person reaches his/her fullness – completeness in one’s ability; „touches” the theological reality. It is the most intimate sphere for human knowledge as well as human existence. St. Maximilian, similar to the great Theologians − St.John Theologian, author of „Tractate” about the Logos (J 1, 1–14) plus the well-known followers: St. Gregory Nazian, St. Simon the New Theologian – who belong to this very „category” of Theologians. Also his theology is based on becoming holy = divinization (sanctification). A Theologian is a person who is prayerful, contemplating the vision of God, and not just a scholar who aims for a university position and teaching career. St. Maximilian was such a person: he was a Theologian in the fullest sense of the meaning.

  • Issue Year: 22/2013
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 109-114
  • Page Count: 6
  • Language: Polish