Filofej (Artjušin)

08 Filofej ArtjushinAfter his studies at Ryazan theological school (2000-2004) and Moscow seminary, where he graduated in 2006 with the translation of St Ambrosius’ De Iosepho Patriarcha, he continued his theological training at the Moscow Theological Academy and at the Pontifical Gregorian University, obtaining in 2013 the doctorate in biblical sciences (Raccontare la salvezza attraverso lo sguardo: Portata teologica e implicazioni pragmatiche del “vedere Gesù” nel Vangelo di Luca, Roma 2014).
Since 2014 he teaches Introduction to biblical exegesis at the Department of Biblical Studies of the Moscow Theological Academy. His scientific interests include the study of the synoptic gospels, modern exegetical methods and the translation of the Western fathers.


Diakrisis in St Paul’s Letters 

ABSTRACT

Among the NT writings, the Epistles of St. Paul are a supreme theological source for the biblical doctrine of “discernment” (diákrisis). The variety of the Greek terms that circumscribe this phenomenon, both spiritual and cultural, makes clear the pragmatic intuition of the Apostle. Addressing the human being, he continually refers to the mystery (mystèrion) of God revealed in Jesus Christ. Therefore, the gospel of Paul points to God’s inscrutable design, namely the apophatism of discerning, on the one hand; on the other hand, to an extreme openness: God’s immanence towards man in an apocalyptic context full of themes such as human responsibility, vigilance, perseverance, judgment (krísis). Between these two poles (immanence and transcendence, imminence and distance, already and not yet) works the dialectic of discernment, both for the community and for the faithful confronted with an existential need: how to grow in the measure of Christ (Eph 4, 13), in loving charity, in mutual listening, in discerning the signs of the times, in understanding the words of Scripture. According to Paul, discernment is an active principle, unthinkable without an immediate response and proportionate action on the part of man.
The gift and the art of discernment are summarized in the Russian iconography of the Holy Trinity by Andrej Rublev. Its theological depth call the Christian communities to an interior awakening and promote a relational gaze, a reciprocal reception, but also a judgment intensified by God's love for man.

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