Post by fraugustine on Oct 10, 2009 3:44:57 GMT
To all those on this forum,
Greetings,
My name is Fr. Augustine, I am an Eastern Orthodox deacon. I have enjoyed the reviews and articles found on this site. As a result, I thought it would be good to post something on this forum.
As my time is limited, I would like to ask a few questions. Please forgive me if these questions have been asked before, and thus I am asking that which is unnecessary because it is contained in another thread.
I have recently enjoyed reading St. John Damascene's large work "The Fount of Knowledge", which includes three distinct works: 1)The Philosophical Chapters 2) On Heresies 3) The Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith.
As St. John deals a great deal with setting a proper philosophical and terminological framework in the the the Chapters I have found it surprising the degree to which he relies on Aristotelian termns and definitions. Though, one should not find this surprising since the Ecumenical Synods do the same.
Perhaps someone could help me with a question I have been somewhat trying to understand. Can anyone here provide me with a simple definition, in a Christian theological context as opposed to purely philosophical one (if such can be), as to the difference between substance (ousia) and nature (physis)?
I know of the use of ousia when speaking of the Holy Trinity and hte Person in general. And then the switch to physis when speaking of the Duality of the Divine Person Christ God's natures.
I have a few ideas myself as to what the Holy Fathers mean by these terms, but, I was wondering if anyone would like to discuss this subject.
I crave the indulgence of anyone on the forum who may be scandalized by a clergyman being confused to a certain extent by asking such questions. Sometimes one can easily confuse substance and nature, and it is important to define their distinction. St. John deals somewhat with this in chapter 30 of Philosophical Chapters.
Thank you in advance for any replies,
Sincerely,
Fr. Augustine
Greetings,
My name is Fr. Augustine, I am an Eastern Orthodox deacon. I have enjoyed the reviews and articles found on this site. As a result, I thought it would be good to post something on this forum.
As my time is limited, I would like to ask a few questions. Please forgive me if these questions have been asked before, and thus I am asking that which is unnecessary because it is contained in another thread.
I have recently enjoyed reading St. John Damascene's large work "The Fount of Knowledge", which includes three distinct works: 1)The Philosophical Chapters 2) On Heresies 3) The Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith.
As St. John deals a great deal with setting a proper philosophical and terminological framework in the the the Chapters I have found it surprising the degree to which he relies on Aristotelian termns and definitions. Though, one should not find this surprising since the Ecumenical Synods do the same.
Perhaps someone could help me with a question I have been somewhat trying to understand. Can anyone here provide me with a simple definition, in a Christian theological context as opposed to purely philosophical one (if such can be), as to the difference between substance (ousia) and nature (physis)?
I know of the use of ousia when speaking of the Holy Trinity and hte Person in general. And then the switch to physis when speaking of the Duality of the Divine Person Christ God's natures.
I have a few ideas myself as to what the Holy Fathers mean by these terms, but, I was wondering if anyone would like to discuss this subject.
I crave the indulgence of anyone on the forum who may be scandalized by a clergyman being confused to a certain extent by asking such questions. Sometimes one can easily confuse substance and nature, and it is important to define their distinction. St. John deals somewhat with this in chapter 30 of Philosophical Chapters.
Thank you in advance for any replies,
Sincerely,
Fr. Augustine
