Ciné-Yogis Podcast

St. John of Damascus: Logic, Aesthetics, and Theological Symbols


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This talk explores the intersection of logic and aesthetics within St. John of Damascus's theology, focusing on his work The True Exposition of the Orthodox Faith. It argues that the symbol concept is central to St. John's theological approach, acting as a bridge between logic and religious experience. The author suggests that St. John uses symbols to navigate the tension between the unknowable divine and human understanding, creating a unique logical syntax for theology. Two types of symbols, bodily and those with greater meaning, are identified as key to his method. Ultimately, the study connects St. John's symbolic theology to an eschatological vision, where theology anticipates the Kingdom of God, thus framing Orthodox theology as an aesthetic pursuit.

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Ciné-Yogis PodcastBy Allen Wassermond