The "Place of God": Biblical Exegesis and Spirituality in Evagrius Ponticus
This article examines Evagrius Ponticus’s spirituality, centering on the metaphor of "the place of God" (τόπος Θεοῦ). It argues that Evagrius defines this "place" not as a geographical location but as the "formless state" of the intellect (νοῦς), attainable through prac...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Interlibrary Loan: | Interlibrary Loan for the Fachinformationsdienste (Specialized Information Services in Germany) |
| Published: |
2025
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| In: |
Verbum vitae
Year: 2025, Volume: 43, Issue: 4, Pages: 879-898 |
| Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains: | B
Evagrius, Ponticus 345-399
/ Bible. Exodus 24,10-11
/ Bible. Ezechiel 1,26
/ Bible. Ezechiel 10,1
/ Place
/ Prayer
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| IxTheo Classification: | HB Old Testament KAB Church history 30-500; early Christianity NBC Doctrine of God RA Practical theology |
| Further subjects: | B
Spirituality
B Exod 24:10–11 B Biblical Exegesis B Evagrius Ponticus B divine light |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (kostenfrei) Volltext (kostenfrei) |
| Summary: | This article examines Evagrius Ponticus’s spirituality, centering on the metaphor of "the place of God" (τόπος Θεοῦ). It argues that Evagrius defines this "place" not as a geographical location but as the "formless state" of the intellect (νοῦς), attainable through practices such as "pure prayer" and the acquisition of impassibility (ἀπάθεια). The analysis employs close textual and biblical exegesis (Exod 24:10-11; Ezek 1:26; 10:1) to demonstrate how Evagrius’s thought highlights the inner transformation of the intellect. This purification, in turn, facilitates a direct, contemplative encounter with God, illustrating the profound integration of lived spiritual experience with his method of interpreting Scripture. |
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| ISSN: | 2451-280X |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Verbum vitae
|
| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.31743/vv.18637 |