On the Human Condition (Popular Patristics Series)
Overview
This informative and enjoyable volume serves as a valuable introduction to major themes in Greek Patristic anthropology—the image of God in the human form, the Fall of humanity, and the cause of evil—and brings together the main writings of St. Basil the Great, fourth-century archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia, on these subjects. St. Basil deftly addresses the questions posed by the human condition with characteristic clarity and sobriety. He formulates a balance between humility grounded in our creation from the earth and confidence based on the dignity of being created according to God’s image.
In addition to two discourses on the creation of humanity, this volume includes Letter 233 to Amphilochius of Iconium, St. Basil’s spiritual son. It is a succinct and pointed discussion regarding the functions of the human mind, the activity for which God created it, and how it can be used for good, evil, or morally neutral purposes. This letter complements the discussion of emotions in St. Basil’s “Homily against Anger,” also included in this volume.
Finally, the book includes excerpts from St Basil’s fatherly instructions to his ascetic communities, commonly known as the “Long Rules” or the “Great Asceticon,” which emphasize the communal dimension of human identity: humans are naturally interrelated, social, and interdependent.
In the Logos edition, this volume is enhanced by amazing functionality. Scripture citations link directly to English translations, and important terms link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Perform powerful searches to find exactly what you’re looking for. Take the discussion with you using tablet and mobile apps. With Logos Bible Software, the most efficient and comprehensive research tools are in one place, so you get the most out of your study.
Key Features
- Discusses the main themes of anthropology with St. Basil the Great as a guide
- Delves into the human mind and how God intended for us to use it
- Examines ideas set forth in the early church and how they still apply
Contents
- First Homily
- On the Origin of Humanity, Discourse 1: On That Which Is According to the Image
- Second Homily
- On the Origin of Humanity, Discourse 2: On the Human Being
- Homily Explaining That God Is Not the Cause of Evil
- Homily against Anger
- Homily on the Words “Be Attentive to Yourself“
- Letter 233, to Bishop Amphilochius, Who Has Asked a Question
- Long Rules, Selections
Top Highlights
“Above light, above heaven, above luminaries, above all things is the creation of the human being. ‘The Lord God took’ Our body is quite worthy to be entirely molded by his own hands. He did not command an angel. The earth did not automatically cast us forth as it did the cicadas. He did not tell the ministering angelic powers to make this or that. But by his own hands, as an artist, he took earth. When you focus on what is taken, what is the human being? When you understand the One doing the molding, the human is great, indeed he is nothing because of the material and great through the honor.” (Page 50)
“Yet now he has made us with the power to become like God. And in giving us the power to become like God, he let us be artisans of the likeness to God, so that the reward for the work would be ours. Thus we would not be like images made by a painter, lying inertly, lest our likeness should bring praise to another. For when you see an image exactly shaped like the prototype, you do not praise the image, but you marvel at the painter. Accordingly, so that the marvel may become mine and not another’s, he has left it to me to become according to the likeness of God. For I have that which is according to the image in being a rational being, but I become according to the likeness in becoming Christian.” (Page 44)
“Its beauty and ingenious structure make it a masterpiece of divine craftsmanship. Third, he distinguishes between that which is according to the image, the rationality and free choice that humans always have, and that which is according to the likeness, the deiform virtues that we can acquire through participation in Christ by using our freedom to cooperate with the Holy Spirit. Basil notes that God has honored humans by enabling them to become fashioners of the divine likeness within themselves.” (Page 19)
Product Details
- Title: On the Human Condition
- Author: St. Basil the Great
- Translator: Nonna Verna Harrison
- Publisher: St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press
- Publication Date: 2005
- Pages: 128
- Christian Group: Orthodox
- Resource Type: Ancient Texts
- Topic: Christianity
