Revoluția socială a Creștinismului și câmpurile emergente și de forță ale Duhului Sfânt
The Social Revolution of Christianity and the Emerging and Dynamic Fields of the Holy Spirit

Author(s): Daniel Munteanu
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, Theology and Religion, Eastern Orthodoxy, Sociology of Religion
Published by: Ideas Forum International Academic and Scientific Association
Keywords: Social revolution; kenosis of the Holy Spirit; uncreated energies; emergent fields of power; St. Macarius of Egypt; eschatology;
Summary/Abstract: Contemporary interdisciplinary theological and sociological research emphasizes the historical significance of early Christianity as a revolution of social values. In the present paper, I will present the main aspects of this social revolution of Christianity and draw the connection between the social-value revolution, the kenotic spirituality based on the concept of the Holy Spirit’s kenosis, and the vision of the Holy Spirit’s emergent and force fields. Contemporary Protestant theologies are increasingly receiving Orthodox teaching on the Holy Spirit and the uncreated energies of God. This convergence in pneumatology enables us to reflect on the understanding of social and cultural diaconia through the lens of the work and power of the Holy Spirit in history. The Orthodox concept of synergy (co-labor) between man and the power of God’s grace draws our attention to the historical responsibility of both the particular activity of believers and the activity and vocation of the Church to be the „salt of the earth” and „light of the world” (Matthew 5:13-14) in the contemporary world. Believers and the Church can be the „salt of the earth” and the „light of the world” only through the power and work of the Holy Spirit. Orthodox Christian spirituality shows that this state of spiritual and cultural enlightenment is reached only through unceasing prayer and following Christ, who is the true „light of the world”: „I am the Light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). The light of Christ brings us the light of both historical and eschatological life. By the light of Christ, we enlighten the world with the light, glory, and joy of resurrection and eternal life, foretold and communicated to us by the power of the Holy Spirit. Christian diaconia, as restoration of justice and image of God in man, has this eschatological, liturgical, and witnessing dimension, reminding us of the Kingdom of God as the Kingdom of justice, peace, and love.

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