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A review by ajmaese
Gregory of Nyssa: The Life of Moses (Revised) by Saint Gregory of Nyssa
4.0
Even though The Life of Moses is one of Gregory’s more mature writings, near the end of his life, and that he was the more philosophical of the Cappadocian trio, he doesn’t seem completely careful here. However where he shines he shines, and his points of departure from Origen are interesting. Maybe it would have looked presumptuous, but I would have liked to read Gregory reflect on his own life against the backdrop of his thought here. I can’t help but think that connections are there.
Perfection is never complete (it is limitless) nor is it a linear progression upward. It is a yes and no because there is always something ‘beyond’ in the fullness of the divine encounter. God dwells in light. He is approached in darkness. He is both seen and unseen. Heard and not heard. Such is the life and experience of Moses. He is both alienated and united in his movement toward God and among the congregation. He is every person who God calls and presses into the divine mystery.
Contra Origen, Gregory doesn’t posit creaturely return to an eschatological stasis or rest in the beatific vision. There is eternal movement or progression toward God. Contra Maximus, creaturely duality and self-determination are safeguarded. Gregory is somewhere in between the thought of both on eschatological movement and rest, which makes sense given his historical situatedness between them. It’s fascinating to see where each picks up and comments in the ‘conversation.’
Favorite selections:
“The history all but cries out to you not to be presumptuous in giving advice to your hearers in your teaching unless the ability for this has been perfected in you by a long and exacting training such as Moses had.”
* The church would be supremely benefited if learned Christians practiced this piece of advice today.
“This truly is the vision of God: never to be satisfied in the desire to see him. But one must always, by looking at what he can see, rekindle his desire to see more. Thus, no limit would interrupt growth in the ascent to God, since no limit to the Good can be found nor is the increasing of desire for the Good brought to an end because it is satisfied.”
* Amen.
Perfection is never complete (it is limitless) nor is it a linear progression upward. It is a yes and no because there is always something ‘beyond’ in the fullness of the divine encounter. God dwells in light. He is approached in darkness. He is both seen and unseen. Heard and not heard. Such is the life and experience of Moses. He is both alienated and united in his movement toward God and among the congregation. He is every person who God calls and presses into the divine mystery.
Contra Origen, Gregory doesn’t posit creaturely return to an eschatological stasis or rest in the beatific vision. There is eternal movement or progression toward God. Contra Maximus, creaturely duality and self-determination are safeguarded. Gregory is somewhere in between the thought of both on eschatological movement and rest, which makes sense given his historical situatedness between them. It’s fascinating to see where each picks up and comments in the ‘conversation.’
Favorite selections:
“The history all but cries out to you not to be presumptuous in giving advice to your hearers in your teaching unless the ability for this has been perfected in you by a long and exacting training such as Moses had.”
* The church would be supremely benefited if learned Christians practiced this piece of advice today.
“This truly is the vision of God: never to be satisfied in the desire to see him. But one must always, by looking at what he can see, rekindle his desire to see more. Thus, no limit would interrupt growth in the ascent to God, since no limit to the Good can be found nor is the increasing of desire for the Good brought to an end because it is satisfied.”
* Amen.