The Ecclesiology of St. Basil the Great: A Trinitarian Approach to the Life of the Church

Description

In this book Olga Druzhinina analyzes St. Basil's understanding of the church, paying special attention to his Trinitarian approach to its life. Although the role of God the Trinity in the life of the church occupies a considerable place in St. Basil's thought, as Druzhinina demonstrates, it is a subject that has not previously been addressed by scholars. The analysis offered here of the life of the church as grounded in Trinitarian philanthropy provides fresh insights into St. Basil's understanding of the worldwide fellowship of believers. Druzhinina also brings into focus another neglected aspect of St. Basil's ecclesiology--his perception of the church as a two-dimensional, heaven-and-earth mystical reality with a strong bond between both parts (the heavenly and the earthly). Contents Foreword Preface Abbreviations Introduction Trinitarian God and the Human Community Trinitarian Communion, and the Concept of the Church Persons of the Trinity and the Metaphors of the Church Inward Life of the Church Unity of the Church and Trinitarian Confession Trinitarian Philanthropy as a Basis for Ministry of the Church Monastic Communities as Practical Realization of an Ideal Community Final Conclusions Bibliography Index of Citations to Basil’s Works