MYSTICAL-THEOLOGICAL TEACHING ABOUT MAN IN THE ORTHODOX SPIRITUAL TRADITION: BIBLICAL SOURCES AND FOUNDATIONS
V. I. Postovalova
Metaphysics December 15, 2025 DOI: 10.22363/2224-7580-2025-3-53-76 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Mysticism |
| Key points | Argues that Orthodox Christian mystical-theological anthropology understands humans as the image and likeness of God and as a "microtheos" or god by grace, studied holistically within theoanthropocosmic reality rather than autonomously. Contends that this teaching is apophatic, holding that biblical ideas-mythologemes and mystical experience ultimately surpass rational conceptualization and remain an incomprehensible mystery. |
Abstract
The article is devoted to the analytical consideration of mystical-theological views on the essence of man in the Orthodox Christian worldview, developing the biblical idea of man as the image and likeness of God and as a microtheos (small god), or god by grace. The specificity of this direction is the transcendental-religious holistic approach, in which man is studied not autonomously, in his self-sufficient being, but in the aspect of his belonging to the anthropocosmic and, ultimately, theoanthropocosmic reality. The most important feature of this teaching is its apophatic nature, associated with the fact that biblical ideas-mythologemes related to Divine Revelation and mystical spiritual experience are not fully amenable to conceptualization and in their depths remain an incomprehensible mystery for rational thought, surpassing any human reason. According to one of the maxims of the Orthodox doctrine, summing up this understanding: “Man is a mysterious cryptogram that no one will ever be able to fully decipher and satisfactorily read” (Archimandrite Cyprian Kern).