Contemplation, Speculation, Action: Reflections on Orthodox Theology

Abstract

Each contemporary Christian theologian, like any other intellectual, becomes more singular, not less, by learning other forms of Christianity. To take on the responsibility of a Christian theology today demands a willingness to be transformed by serious, that is, historical–hermeneutical–dialogical study of at least the three major forms of Christianity: Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant. Christianity, like every religion, is both a vision of life and a way of life. Vision and way should not be separated but mutually reinforce, challenge, and transform one another—which is why practical theology is the most complex and difficult of the three major forms of Catholic theology. Fundamental, systematic, practical theology—each has distinct tasks but tasks inseparable from the other two. Each seeks to find conceptualities, images, and above all, vision-transformed action appropriate to articulate a Christian way of life both informing and being transformed by some major version (Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant) of their shared Christian vision. For my part, Orthodox theology in its diverse and sometimes conflictual forms is distinguished by its profoundly contemplative character. This contemplative form holds whatever the issue—cosmic, iconic, liturgical or, in my focus here, the contemplation of God.