Geevarghese Mar Osthathios (1918–2012) was a South Indian Orthodox theologian whose theological reflections are a unique combination of Protestant principles and Orthodox ethos. His life and work contextually occupy a significant place in the development of the Malankara Orthodox Syriac Church. In addition, his preoccupation with missionary work in Indian conditions has been intertwined with ecumenical currents of the second half of the 20th century. The central expression of his theology lies in the Trinity as for him Trinity has relational implications on socio-political level, its relevance and the applicability as a critique of societal systems of governing. Therefore, the book by Ilija Jovic deals with the focal points of his Trinitarian theology, missiological as well as ecumenical perspectives and their social consequences. Moreover, by determining and critically examining Mar Osthathios argumentation that structuring of society should be based on the model of the Trinity, Jovic’s study takes precedent in giving concern to social challenges within the Oriental Orthodox Theology.
Author(s): Ilija Jović
Series: Göttinger Orientforschungen, I. Reihe: Syriaca, 64
Publisher: Harrassowitz Verlag
Year: 2022
Language: English
Pages: 172
City: Wiesbaden
Cover
Titles pages
Content
Preface
1. Introduction
1.1 Context of the Study
1.2 Problem Statement
1.3 Research Objectives and Scope of the Research
1.4 Methodology and Research Strategy
1.5 Structure Overview
2. Biography and Context
2.1 Family and Upbringing
2.2 Educational Path
2.2.1 Teachers of Theology
2.3 Return to India
2.3.1. Seminary Guru
2.3.2 Consecration and the offices
2.4 Redefinition of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries
2.4.1 Quest for Independence: The Role of Mar Osthathios
2.4.2 Karmayogi
2.4.3 Ecumenical Work
2.4.4 Further Ecumenical Work
2.5 Evening of Mar Osthathios’s Life
3. Theology of the Trinity: Outlook and Perspectives
3.1 Ambience
3.2 Refusal of the Augustine
3.3 Source of the Tradition: The Cappadocians
3.4 Dogma of the Trinity: Doctrinal Positions
3.4.1 Trinity Eternal: Economy, Immanence and Transcendence
3.4.2 Personhood as Imago Dei
3.5 Ecclesiology
3.5.1 Church as Divine-Human koinonia
3.5.2 Theosis
3.5.3 Incarnation: The Self-Emptying of God and kenosis as a Hermeneutics of theTheology of the Trinity, Personhood and Ecclesiology
4. The Trinity as a Social Program
4.1 Social Trinitarianism: Developmental Background
4.2 Quest for the Social Aspects of the Trinity: Approach and Scope
4.2.1 Perichoresis of Individua-Community: Freedom as the Core ofSocial Responsibility
4.3 Implementation of Trinitarian DoctrineSocial Ethics of Trinitarian Responsibility
4.3.1 Capitalism
4.3.2 Communism
4.3.3 Common Good and Personal Property
4.4 Quest for a Classless Society
4.4.1 Sin and Reconciliation
4.4.2 World Brotherhood: Classless Society and Communitarianism
4.4.3 Classless Society: Christian Democratic Socialism
4.5 Current of the Time
4.5.1 Mar Osthathios and Liberation Theology: Theological Roots
4.5.2 Mar Osthathios and Marxist Expression
4.5.3 Mar Osthathios and Postcolonial Reconfiguration
4.5.4 Mar Osthathios and Indian Theology
4.6 The Trinity as a Model of Societal OrganisationEvaluation, Justification and Applicability
4.6.1 The Conundrum: Differences between Ecclesiology and Sociology
4.6.2 Orthodoxy and Orthopraxis: Transfiguration or Revolution
4.6.3 Theosis: Wholeness as Salvation
5. Scope of Ecumenical Theology
5.1 Context and Initial Phase
5.2 Theology of Mission
5.2.1 Unity of the Churches: Theological Presumptions
5.2.2 Evangelical versus Ecumenical
5.2.3 Holistic Mission: A Trinitarian, Ecclesiological and Sociological Act
5.2.4 Theology of Religions: Interreligious Thought
5.3 Further Ecumenical Engagements
5.3.1 Vienna Consultations
6. Conclusion
7. Bibliography
7.1 Sources
7.2 Secondary Literature
8. Appendix
8.1 Written works of Geevarghese Mar Osthathios
8.2 Dissertations
8.3 Institutions established or co-establishedby Geevarghese Mar Osthathios
8.4 List of Abbreviations
8.5 List of Figures
