Author: Archim. Maximos Constas (Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology)
Keywords: Word, Logos, language, reason, Logos of creation, Christ
Abstract:
The study of Archim. Maximos Constas confirms once more the inexhaustible thesaurus of ideas contained by the writings of the Holy Fathers. The present study is dedicated to the question of theological language in the case of Saint Maximos the Confessor; however, the demonstration starts begins with Saint Gregory of Nyssa. It is a well-known fact that Saint Maximos the Confessor was the author of deep mystical writings and therefore he left no theological system, and obviously neither a scholastic one, to help distinguish the structure of his philosophy of language. Nevertheless, something like a philosophy of language can be derived from the writings of Saint Maximos, this being a Christian one, closely connected to all the elements of his thought and encompassing notions that can only be understood through his Christology. Saint Maximos perceives the entire creation as a cosmic book filled with divine meanings. All objects and creatures contain words (“logoi”), as a preparation for the grand event of the Logos’s Incarnation as Jesus Christ. This is the major fact that provides a meaning for the world, man, history, and all elements of creation, and is fulfilled within the movement towards the eschatological event of the Second Coming. Therefore, the incarnated Logos presents itself to us not only as a meaningful Guide, who can bring us from image to truth, but also as the final Purpose itself for all words and creatures
(English translation by Damian Anfile)
Pages: 158-174