ASPECTS OF THE THEORY ON UNIONS AND DISTINCTIONS IN GREGORY PALAMAS: THE RELATION BETWEEN THE DIVINE ESSENCE AND THE DIVINE ENERGIES
Abstract
In this study, following Gr. Palamas’ treatise entitled Περί θείας ενώσεως
και διακρίσεως, our main goal is to examine the objective existence of the divine energies and
their relation to the divine essence. The Christian interpretation of the theory on unions and
distinctions proves that these are just two different ways of existence, without any ontological
difference between each other, as Barlaam and Akindynos suggested. It is remarkable that the
understanding of Gr. Palamas’ thought allows us to conclude that he is a consistent
researcher, who, on the one hand, follows unchanged philosophical foundations for expressing
his theories and, on the other hand, corresponds with the previous Christian tradition.
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