Theological differences between the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church
Neo-Palamism: theoria and hesychasm
Neo\-Palamism: theoria and hesychasm
------------------------------------

### Neo\-Palamism

The 20th century saw the rise of neo\-Palamism, c.q. "Neo\-Orthodox Movement," in the Eastern Orthodox Churches. According to this point of view, which arose in defense of the Palamite distinction between essence and energia, western theology is dominated by rational philosophy, while Orthodox theology is based on the experiential vision of God and the highest truth. According to neo\-Palamism, this is a main division between East and West.

Neo\-Palamism has its roots in the [Hesychast controversy](/wiki/Hesychast_controversy "Hesychast controversy") or Palamite controversy (14th century),A. N. Williams, [*The Ground of Union: Deification in Aquinas and Palamas*](https://archive.today/20130201063834/http://www.questia.com/googleScholar.qst?docId=79109920), An Overview of the Hsychastic Controversy by Archbishop Chrysostomos, English version: Archbishop Chrysostomos, Orthodox and Roman Catholic Relations from the Fourth Crusade to the Hesychastic Controversy (Etna, CA: Center for Traditionalist Orthodox Studies, 2001\), pp. 199‒232 <http://faculty.washington.edu/ewebb/R327/Hesychastic_Controversy.pdf> 
in which Gregory Palamas provided a theological justification for the centuries\-old Orthodox practice of hesychasm. The hesychast controversy lead to a further distinction between East and West, giving a prominent place to the contemplative practice and theology in the Eastern Orthodox Churches. The publication in 1782 of the [Philokalia](/wiki/Philokalia "Philokalia"), which lead to a revival of hesychasm, was accepted in particular by the Slav Orthodox churches. Together with the importance attached to it in the 20th century by the [Paris school of Orthodox theology](/wiki/Paris_school_of_Orthodox_theology "Paris school of Orthodox theology"), it has "led to hesychasm's becoming definitive for modern Orthodox theology as never before,"[Andrew Louth in the *Oxford Companion to Christian Thought*](https://books.google.com/books?id=ognCKztR8a4C&pg=PA88) (Oxford University Press 2000 ), p. 88[Gerald O'Collins, S.J. and Edward G. Farrugia, S.J., editors, A Concise Dictionary of Theology](https://books.google.com/books?id=jQooODXx-2wC&pg=PA104) (Paulist Press 2000 ), article on *Hesychasm* and that on *Neo\-Palamism* with its Palamite [Essence–energies distinction](/wiki/Essence%E2%80%93energies_distinction_%28Eastern_Orthodox_theology%29 "Essence–energies distinction (Eastern Orthodox theology)").

### Rational and mystical theology

According to these modern Eastern Orthodox theologians, western theology depends too much on [kataphatic theology](/wiki/Kataphatic_theology "Kataphatic theology"). According to Steenberg, Eastern theologians assert that Christianity in essence is [apodictic](/wiki/Apodictic "Apodictic") truth, in contrast to the [dialectic](/wiki/Dialectic "Dialectic"), dianoia, or rationalised knowledge which is the arrived at truth by way of philosophical speculation.Gregory Palamas: Knowledge, Prayer and Vision. Written by M.C. Steenberg 

While [Thomas Aquinas](/wiki/Thomas_Aquinas "Thomas Aquinas") argued that kataphatic and apophatic theology need to balance each other, [Vladimir Lossky](/wiki/Vladimir_Lossky "Vladimir Lossky") argued, based on his reading of [Dionysius the Areopagite](/wiki/Dionysius_the_Areopagite "Dionysius the Areopagite") and [Maximus the Confessor](/wiki/Maximus_the_Confessor "Maximus the Confessor"), that positive theology is always inferior to negative theology. According to Lossky [mysticism](/wiki/Mysticism "Mysticism"), c.q. [gnosiology](/wiki/Gnosiology "Gnosiology"), is the expression of dogmatic theology *par excellence*, while positive theology is a step along the way to the superior knowledge attained by negation. According to Lossky, the difference in East and West is due to the Catholic Church's use of pagan metaphysical philosophy, and its outgrowth, [scholasticism](/wiki/Scholasticism "Scholasticism"), rather than the mystical, actual experience of God called [theoria](/wiki/Theoria "Theoria"), to validate the theological dogmas of Catholic Christianity. Lossky argues that therefore the Eastern Orthodox and Catholics have become "different men," stating that "Revelation sets an abyss between the truth which it declares and the truths which can be discovered by philosophical speculation."

Lossky had a strong influence on 20th century Eastern Orthodox theology, and influenced [John Romanides](/wiki/John_Romanides "John Romanides"), himself also an influential theologian on his own. Romanides saw a strong dichotomy between Eastern Orthodox and western views, arguing that the influence of the Franks, and western acceptance of Augustine's theology, is the starting point of western rational theology, and the dichotomy between East and West.Franks, Romans, Feudalism, and Doctrine/*Empirical theology versus speculative theology*, Father John S. Romanides [http://www.romanity.org/htm/rom.03\.en.franks\_romans\_feudalism\_and\_doctrine.02\.htm](http://www.romanity.org/htm/rom.03.en.franks_romans_feudalism_and_doctrine.02.htm)

This same sentiment was also expressed by the early [Slavophile](/wiki/Slavophile "Slavophile") movements (19th century) in the works of [Ivan Kireevsky](/wiki/Ivan_Kireevsky "Ivan Kireevsky") and [Aleksey Khomyakov](/wiki/Aleksey_Khomyakov "Aleksey Khomyakov"). The [Slavophiles](/wiki/Slavophile "Slavophile") sought reconciliation with all various forms of Christianity, as can be seen in the works of its most famous proponent [Vladimir Solovyov](/wiki/Vladimir_Solovyov_%28philosopher%29 "Vladimir Solovyov (philosopher)").

### Hesychasm

Hesychasm, "to keep stillness," is a mystical tradition of contemplative prayer in the Eastern Orthodox Church, which already existed in the fourth century AD with the [Desert Fathers](/wiki/Desert_Fathers "Desert Fathers"). Its aim is *theosis*, [deification](/wiki/Deification "Deification") obtained through the practice of [contemplative prayer](/wiki/Contemplative_prayer "Contemplative prayer"),Archbishop Chrysostomos, Orthodox and Roman Catholic Relations from the Fourth Crusade to the Hesychastic Controversy Etna, CA: Center for Traditionalist Orthodox Studies, 2001\), pp. 199‒232 <http://faculty.washington.edu/ewebb/R327/Hesychastic_Controversy.pdf>.Orthodox Spirituality by [Metropolitan Hierotheos](/wiki/Metropolitan_Hierotheos_%28Vlachos%29_of_Nafpaktos "Metropolitan Hierotheos (Vlachos) of Nafpaktos") [http://www.pelagia.org/htm/b15\.en.orthodox\_spirituality.01\.htm](http://www.pelagia.org/htm/b15.en.orthodox_spirituality.01.htm)  the first stage of *theoria*, leading to the "vision of God".The Difference Between Orthodox Spirituality and Other Traditions by Metropolitan Hierotheos Vlachos <http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/inquirers/hierotheos_difference.aspx> It consists of three stages, namely catharsis, theoria, and completion of deification, c.q. theosis.

The knowledge of God is attained by [theoria](/wiki/Theoria "Theoria"), "the vision of God."*What Is prayer?* by [Theophan the Recluse](/wiki/Theophan_the_Recluse "Theophan the Recluse") cited in *The Art of Prayer: An Orthodox Anthology*, p.73, compiled by Igumen Chariton of Valamo, trans, E. Kadloubovsky and E.M. Palmer, ed. Timothy Ware, 1966, Faber \& Faber, London.The Illness and Cure of the Soul by [Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos](/wiki/Hierotheos_%28Vlachos%29 "Hierotheos (Vlachos)") " [http://www.pelagia.org/htm/b05\.en.the\_illness\_and\_cure\_of\_the\_soul.02\.htm\#Fall](http://www.pelagia.org/htm/b05.en.the_illness_and_cure_of_the_soul.02.htm#Fall)  Publisher: Birth of Theotokos Monastery, Greece (January 1, 2005\) Orthodox Psychotherapy Section The Knowledge of God according to St. Gregory Palamas by Metropolitan Hierotheos Vlachos published by Birth of Theotokos Monastery, Greece (January 1, 2005\)  This is also referred to as experiencing the uncreated light of God, the [light of Tabor](/wiki/Tabor_Light "Tabor Light") of [Christ's Transfiguration](/wiki/Transfiguration_of_Jesus "Transfiguration of Jesus")[*The Uncreated Light: An Iconographiocal Study of the Transfiguration In the Eastern Church*](https://books.google.com/books?id=EAdPJxg1ajAC&pg=PA102) by Solrunn Nes Wm. pg 97 \- 103 B. Eerdmans Publishing Company Partakers of God by Panayiotis Christou Holy Cross Orthodox Press, Brookline Mass 1984\. <http://www.myriobiblos.gr/texts/english/christou_partakers_glory.html> as was seen by the apostles at [Mount Tabor](/wiki/Mount_Tabor "Mount Tabor").

### Hesychast controversy

The Hesychast controversy was a theological dispute in the Byzantine Empire during the 14th century between supporters and opponents of Gregory Palamas. [Gregory Palamas](/wiki/Gregory_Palamas "Gregory Palamas") of [Thessaloniki](/wiki/Thessaloniki "Thessaloniki") (1296\-1359\) provided a theological justification for the practice of hesychasm. Palamas stated that there is a distinction between the essence (*[ousia](/wiki/Ousia "Ousia")*) and the energies (*[energeia](/wiki/Energeia "Energeia")*) of [God](/wiki/God "God"). While God in his essence is unknowable and indeterminable, the vision of God can be attained when his energy is seen with the eyes as the [Uncreated Light](/wiki/Uncreated_Light "Uncreated Light"). Palamas formulated his ideas on this distinction as part of his defense of the [Athonite](/wiki/Mount_Athos "Mount Athos") [monastic](/wiki/Christian_monasticism "Christian monasticism") practice of *[hesychasmos](/wiki/Hesychasm "Hesychasm")* against the charge of [heresy](/wiki/Heresy_in_Christianity "Heresy in Christianity") brought by the [humanist](/wiki/Christian_humanism "Christian humanism") scholar and theologian [Barlaam of Calabria](/wiki/Barlaam_of_Calabria "Barlaam of Calabria")."accusing Gregory Palamas of Messalianism" Antonio Carile, [*Η Θεσσαλονίκη ως κέντρο Ορθοδόξου θεολογίας \-προοπτικές στη σημερινή Ευρώπη*](http://www.apostoliki-diakonia.gr/en_main/catehism/theologia_zoi/themata.asp?cat=hist&contents=contents.asp&main=EH_texts&file=12.htm) Thessaloniki 2000, pp. 131–140, (English translation provided by the Apostoliki Diakonia of the Church of Greece).[*Notes on the Palamite Controversy and Related Topics*](http://www.romanity.org/htm/rom.15.en.notes_on_the_palamite_controversy.01.htm) by John S. Romanides, *The Greek Orthodox Theological Review*, Volume VI, Number 2, Winter, 1960–61\. Published by the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Theological School Press, Brookline, Massachusetts.

Eastern Orthodox theologians generally regard this distinction as a real distinction, and not just a conceptual distinction. Historically, [Western Christian](/wiki/Western_Christianity "Western Christianity") thought has tended to reject the essence\-energies distinction as real in the case of God, characterizing the view as a heretical introduction of an unacceptable division in the Trinity and suggestive of [polytheism](/wiki/Polytheism "Polytheism")."No doubt the leaders of the party held aloof from these vulgar practices of the more ignorant monks, but on the other hand they scattered broadcast perilous theological theories. Palamas taught that by asceticism one could attain a corporal, i.e. a sense view, or perception, of the Divinity. He also held that in God there was a real distinction between the Divine Essence and Its attributes, and he identified grace as one of the Divine propria making it something uncreated and infinite. These monstrous errors were denounced by the Calabrian Barlaam, by Nicephorus Gregoras, and by Acthyndinus. The conflict began in 1338 and ended only in 1368, with the solemn canonization of Palamas and the official recognition of his heresies. He was declared the 'holy doctor' and 'one of the greatest among the Fathers of the Church', and his writings were proclaimed 'the infallible guide of the Christian Faith'. Thirty years of incessant controversy and discordant councils ended with a resurrection of polytheism" ([Simon Vailhé, "Greek Church" in *Catholic Encyclopedia* (New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1909\)](http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06752a.htm)John Meyendorff (editor), [*Gregory Palamas – The Triads*](https://books.google.com/books?id=8jcjtUbwptwC&q=%22Palamas+is+a+saint%22&pg=PR11), p. xi. Paulist Press, 1983, . Retrieved on 12 September 2014\.

### Catholic views on Hesychasm

The later 20th century saw a change in the attitude of Catholic theologians to Palamas.[John Meyendorff (editor),*Gregory Palamas \- The Triads*, p. xi](https://books.google.com/books?id=8jcjtUbwptwC&dq=Palamas+Meyendorff+Nicene+doctrine&pg=PR11) While some Western theologians see the theology of Palamas as introducing an inadmissible division within God, others have incorporated his theology into their own thinking,[Kallistos Ware in *Oxford Companion to Christian Thought* (Oxford University Press 2000](https://books.google.com/books?id=ognCKztR8a4C&dq=hesychasm+catholic&pg=PA186) ), p. 186 maintaining that there is no conflict between his teaching and Catholic thought."Several Western scholars contend that the teaching of St. Gregory Palamas himself is compatible with Roman Catholic thought on the matter" (Michael J. Christensen, Jeffery A. Wittung (editors), *Partakers of the Divine Nature* (Associated University Presses 2007 ), p. 243\).

Sergey S. Horujy states that "hesychast studies may provide fresh look at some old interconfessional divisions, disclosing unexpected points of resemblance", and Jeffrey D. Finch says that "the future of East\-West rapprochement appears to be overcoming the modern polemics of neo\-scholasticism and neo\-Palamism".[J. Christensen, Jeffery A. Wittung (editors), *Partakers of the Divine Nature* (Associated University Presses 2007](https://books.google.com/books?id=DgtUoMqm594C&q=modern+polemicsMichael&pg=PA243) ), p. 244

[Pope John Paul II](/wiki/Pope_John_Paul_II "Pope John Paul II") repeatedly emphasized his respect for Eastern theology as an enrichment for the whole Church. While from a Catholic viewpoint there have been tensions concerning some developments of the practice of hesychasm, the Pope said, there is no denying the goodness of the intention that inspired its defence.


Does the Pope respect Eastern theology as an enrichment for the whole Church?