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The Angelology of Sergius Bulgakov

Authors

  • Maciej Raczyński-Rożek Akademia Katolicka w Warszawie

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15633/ps.26102

Keywords:

angels, angelology, sophiology, Bulgakov

Abstract

Contemporary angelology is primarily an apologetic response to the negation of the existence of the angelic reality by liberal Protestantism. Bulgakov’s teaching about angels, on the other hand, arose as an indispensable part of the theological system. The orthodox author defines angels as created ideas of reality. As with Plato, every thing has its own idea, so with Bulgakov it has its own angel. The angels are therefore closely related to the earthly world and are its guardians, leading the world to the realization of the meaning given to it. Angels are also closely related to God because it is their nature to be filled with divine life. Thus, they constitute “Jacob’s ladder” — the reality that connects the world with God.

Author Biography

  • Maciej Raczyński-Rożek, Akademia Katolicka w Warszawie

    Rev. Maciej Raczyński-Rożek — lecturer and assistant professor of dogmatic theology at the Catholic Academy in Warsaw and director of the PhD department. Priest of the Arch- diocese of Warsaw.

References

Bulgakov S., Apokalipsis Ioanna, YMCA Press, Paris 1948.

Bulgakov S., The Bride of the Lamb, transl. B. Jakim, Ed. William Eerdmans Publishing Company Grand Rapids, Michigan/Cambridge UK 2002.

Bulgakov S., The Comforter, transl. B. Jakim, Ed. William Eerdmans Pub- lishing Company, Michigan/Cambridge UK 2004.

Bulgakov S., The Friend of the Bridgegroom, transl. B. Jakim, Ed. William Eerdmans Publishing Company, Michigan/Cambridge UK 2003.

Bulgakov S., Jacob’s Ladder. On Angels, transl. T. A. Smith, Ed. William Eerdmans Publishing Company Grand Rapids, Michigan 2010.

Bulgakov S., The Lamb of God, transl. B. Jakim, Ed. William Eerdmans Pub- lishing Company, Michigan/Cambridge UK 2008.

Bulgakov S., Sophia. The Wisdom of God — an Outline of Sophiology, transl. F. Clarke, X. Braikevitc, Lindisfarne 1993.

Bulgakov S., Unfading Light. Contemplations and Speculations, transl. T. A. Smith, Ed. William Eerdmans Publishing Company Grand Rapids, Michigan/Cambridge UK 2012.

Daniélou J., The Angels and Their Mission. According to the Fathers of the church, transl. D. Heimann, MD: Christian Classics Inc., Westminster 1982.

Flick M., Alszeghy Z., Fondamenti di una antropologia teologica, Libreria Editrice Fiorentina, Firenze 1970.

Rahner K., Angels, in: Encyclopedia of Theology. The Concise Sacramentum Mundi, Seabury Press, New York 1975, p. 4–13.

Slesinski R. S., The Theology of Sergius Bulgakov, St Vladimir’s Seminary Press, Yonkers 2017.

Thomas Aquinas, Summa theologiae, Marietti, Torino 1952–1962.

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Published

2022-03-31 — Updated on 2023-01-26

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