Lessons on Christian Dogmatics

Contents

These are the notes that were taken from the lectures of Professor I. Zizioulas (current Metropolitan of Pergamus and Chairman of the Athens Academy) at the Poemantic Division of the Thessaloniki University’s School of Theology, during the academic year 1984-1985.

They are published with the blessing and the permission of the reverend Metropolitan.

The notes were published with the caring and the responsibility of the students, for use during their examinations.

Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki

Published by :  Publication Services

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We are referring to the hand-typed notes of the reverend Metropolitan’s lessons at the University of Thessaloniki, which benefited us so much, that we wished to make them more broadly accessible.

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Α. ON DOGMATICS AND DOGMAS

1. Definition – Sources – Content and Method of Dogmatics:

a. Form and character of Dogmatics

b. Dogmatics as Hermeneutics (Interpretational)

c. The Dogmatics method

2. The term: «Dogma» and its significance

3. The affiliation of dogmas to the Holy Scriptures

4. The work of the Holy Spirit in the phrasing of the dogmas

5. The work of the Church in the phrasing of the dogmas

6. The prestige and the authority of the dogmas

Β. ON COGNIZANCE AND FAITH

I. On cognizance:

1. Cognizance of things

2. Cognizance of God

3. Cognizance through the Son and Logos 

4a. Cognizance «in persona»  part 1: The element of Freedom

4b. Cognizance «in persona»  part 2: The element of Love

II. On faith

C. ON GOD

1. The biblical premises

2. Basic principles of Patristic teaching:

a. Up to the Cappadocian Fathers

b. The contribution of the Cappadocians

c. Augustine’s views

d. Discerning between "Theology" and "Providence"

e. Existential interpretation

D. SUPPLEMENT

1. Discernments of the Cappadocians on the “being” of God:

a. The “whatever”, the “what” and the “how” of God

b. “Essence”, “energy” and “persona”

2. The transferal of the terms “essence”, “Energy” and “Persona” into Theology (The problem of freedom)

a. The prerequisites of the Patristic Synthesis

b. The contribution of the Cappadocian Fathers – The patristic notion of the persona

c. Augustin’s theology and the problem of the Filioque

d. The theological problem of the Filioque

e. The Filioque in Theology and in Providence

f. The dogma of creation

   1. The problem of Gnosticism

   2. The correction of Platonic ideas by the Christian faith