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e. In Eastern Orthodox (palamite) theology, there is a distinction between the essence (ousia) and the energies (energeia) of God. It was formulated by Gregory Palamas (1296–1359) as part of his defense of the Athonite monastic practice of Hesychasm [note 1] against the charge of heresy brought by the humanist scholar and theologian Barlaam ...
The essence–energy distinction was formulated by Gregory Palamas of Thessaloniki (1296–1359), as part of his defense of the Athonite monastic practice of hesychasmos, the mystical exercise of “stillness” to facilitate ceaseless inner prayer and noetic contemplation of God, against the charge of heresy brought by the humanist scholar and ...
Mar 15, 2022 · Perhaps the most important contribution Palamas made to Orthodox Christian theology was his distinction between the essence and energies of God. While we cannot know God in His essence (God in Himself), we can know Him in his energies (the work of God’s grace in our lives, and who God is in relation to the creation and mankind). Both essence ...
May 31, 2024 · St. Athanasius of Alexandria (c. 296–373): Athanasius played a crucial role in defending the doctrine of the Trinity against Arianism. He emphasized the distinction between God's essence and His activities, arguing that while God's essence is inaccessible, His energies are evident in His works, such as creation and salvation.
- William Albrecht
Mar 7, 2021 · The “visible essence” one may today classify as His energies and these energies pertain to how God is visible in the realm of creation (such as the movement of the stars). The “invisible essence,” God’s literal substance, is what can allegedly only be contemplated by the intellect (because, according to Philo and the Platonists, the reality of God can truly only be contemplated).
Jun 17, 2024 · He concludes by highlighting some ways in which the essence-energies distinction has been discussed in various other articles and essays, which highlight profitable lines of inquiry that scholars might use to develop further insightful and important work on the essence-energies distinction.
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All Christian philosophers and theologians will find here a convincing case that the essence-energies distinction is necessary for a coherent, realist metaphysics or theology.”. “ Divine Energies and Divine Action is the product of consummate patristic scholarship and a powerful and original philosophical intellect.
