How should Christians think about society and the problem of persistent poverty amidst unprecedented abundance today? This lecture answers this question from an Eastern Orthodox Christian perspective, highlighting ecumenical common ground as well as biblical and historical foundations. Unique contributions include an updated "map" of society informed by modern economics, the controversial concept of divine Sophia, the nature of catholicity or sobornost', and liturgical theology.
Recommended Readings
Sergius Bulgakoff, Social Teaching in Modern Russian Orthodox Theology (Seabury-Western Theological Seminary, 1934)
S. L. Frank, The Spiritual Foundations of Society, trans. Boris Jakim (Ohio University Press, 1987)
Maria Skobtsova, “On the Imitation of the Mother of God,” in Pevear and Volokhonsky, trans., Mother Maria Skobtsova: Essential Writings (Orbis Books, 2003)
Alexander Schmemann, For the Life of the World: Sacraments and Orthodoxy, revised and expanded ed. (SVS Press, 1979)
Paul Evdokimov, Ages of the Spiritual Life, trans. Sister Gertrude, S. P., rev. Michael Plekon and Alexis Vinogradov (SVS Press, 1998)
Download course materials:
Course Years:
Instructor
Dylan Pahman
