(Ebook) A Filioque mint a teológia és a politika konfrontációja by Szabolcs András ISBN 9786063707346, 6063707344

(Ebook) A Filioque mint a teológia és a politika konfrontációja by Szabolcs András ISBN 9786063707346, 6063707344

The Filioque Debate as Field of Confrontation for Theology and Politics - A Quest for Ecumenical SolutionsThis book addresses the Filioque-debate from a complex perspective, not only as a theological topic, but as a contemporaryfield of interaction and confrontation between theology and politics. The research starts from the hypothesis that understanding 20th century political processes and identifying the role of political factors in the evolution of the contemporary Filioque-debate may contribute to the resolution of the theological differences regarding the Filioquedebate. The topic may seem marginal and outdated in Western theology, due to the extensive research performed from a historicaltheological perspective, but in fact it is highly relevant in Orthodox contexts, as it plays a major role in contemporary Orthodox theological discourse as a strong element of self-identification and delineation from Western cultural and social views. Ecumenical dialogue has made significant progress during the last decades regarding the understanding of the procession of the Holy Spirit in patristic literature and the history of the Filioque clause and the related debate. Western theology has rediscovered the theology of Maximus the Confessor, as a possible mediator between the Eastern and the Western position. The Declaration of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity in 1995 pointed to his teaching as a viable perspective on the Filioque-debate. Yet, the issue continues to divide Orthodox and Western (notably Catholic) theology and to shape national and religious identity in a polemical way. I focus on the work of the main contemporary Eastern-European (notably Romanian and Russian) Orthodox theologians in their political context. Theology in these countries focuses on defending Orthodox faith and national identity against what is perceived as an expansionist Western Church and culture. In contemporary theology, the Filioque-question is inevitably on the agenda of contemporary understanding of my topic. I also discuss the results and deficiencies of the current ecumenical dialogue. Understanding the political factors that obstruct the ecumenical dialogue will allow outlining possible solutions for a longstanding theological discussion. My dissertation is a humble contribution that will hopefully bring a new perspective on the Filioque-debate in contemporary theological discourse, in a changing ecumenical context.