The Angelology of Sergius Bulgakov
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15633/ps.26102Keywords:
angels, angelology, sophiology, BulgakovAbstract
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.
References
Bulgakov S., Apokalipsis Ioanna, YMCA Press, Paris 1948.
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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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