In recent years, Eastern Orthodox thought has had an increasing
influence on key aspects of contemporary Western Christian thought,
particularly as regards the doctrine of the Trinity and mystical
spirituality. However, the foundations and fundamental presuppositions
of Eastern Christianity's theological system have remained largely
unstudied -- and thus unknown -- in the West. In this important study,
Emil Bartos examines the doctrine of deification which provides the
conceptual basis for the way Staniloae and other Orthodox theologians
understand the major doctrines of the Christian faith. The idea that God
became man that man might become God sounds almost heretical to many
Western ears, yet this affirmation is repeated countless times in the
writings of the Eastern Fathers. Beginning with the apophaticism that
lies at the heart of Eastern theology, Bartos examines each of the key
doctrines of anthropology, christology, soteriology and ecclesiology as
they relate to deification in Staniloae's thought. Bartos' study
represents not merely a contribution to contemporary dialogue between
Eastern and Western theologians, but also a much needed introduction to
an aspect of Christian thought down the centuries that is largely
neglected in the Christian West. 'Emil Bartos has provided a fine and
thorough study of the theology of Staniloae, the Romanian
scholar-priest, and so fills a gap for the English readership. The
concept of deification, too easily misunderstood in the West, gains
sympathetic exposition in this authoritative guide.' - Timothy Bradshaw,
Senior Tutor, Regent's Park College, Oxford 'This is a book which
deserves to be widely read and pondered throughout the English speaking
world. It deals with one of the most important themes in Orthodox
theology and shows what substantial and constructive contributions
towards the work of Christian understanding and unity are coming from
the Balkan countries.' - A.M. Allchin, Bangor University, North Wales
'This is a splendid and thorough introduction to the work of a leading
Orthodox theologian, and it is long overdue.' - Oliver Davies,
University of Wales Emil Bartos is Dean of Theology at Emanuel
University in Oradea, Romania, where he teaches systematic and
comparative theology and the history of dogma. His doctoral research was
carried out under the supervision of the Orthodox Bishop Kallistos Ware
(Professor of Theology at the University of Oxford) and the Catholic
Theologian Oliver Davies (of the University of Wales).
