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Peter

posted on Sep 29, 2008 - 06:36 PM

I came across a little snippet claiming that the Holy Synod has banned this book. I would like to know if anyone has heard this as well and if there is any truth to this?

If so, why?

Thanks

_________________
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"If you wish to be a theologian then follow the commandments." - St. Gregory Nanzianus

Joined: Mar 18, 2003 | Posts: 427
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minasoliman

posted on Sep 29, 2008 - 07:29 PM

http://www.copticpope.org/keraza351920/page1.jpg

This might explain why. I can't read Arabic, so I don't know. I'm only assuming that the reason being that Coniaris seems to disagree with HH Pope Shenouda on theosis.

Joined: May 22, 2003 | Posts: 1754

Peter

posted on Sep 29, 2008 - 08:15 PM

It is point # 2.

(admittedly my Arabic reading skills are very rusty (the fact the image is not very clear doesn't help) and this is a very quick and dirty translation)

"The following decision, His Grace Bishop Moussa, Bishop of Youth, on the faith and education:

He presented in it the errors that are with the book on Orthodoxy written by Fr. Anthony M. Coniaris and translated into Arabic. It has within it doctrinal errors on theosis [lit. divinization of man] and then the Holy Synod decreed the banning of the book and its distribution."

For me it is ambiguous whether the ban is for the book in general or the Arabic translation (such as exist for the Arabic version of the "Life Application Study" Bible but none for the English that I am aware of). Also whether or not the doctrinal error is that it mentions theosis or particular views on it.

Any other clarification would be greatly appreciated.


(If I knew of this ban earlier I could have His Grace directly, oh well maybe next time)

Joined: Mar 18, 2003 | Posts: 427
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minasoliman

posted on Sep 30, 2008 - 11:10 PM

Dear Peter,

It seems that this might stem from a linguistic issue. It seems that some bishops when defining the Arabic terms for theosis, they seem to cringe and think it means partaking of the divine essence, while in English, it might not be the case.

But I'm not an expert in Arabic. So I just think, unless Fr. Coniaris is wrong (or God forbid HH), that there might be a linguistic misunderstanding. Plus, I haven't read the book myself.

Joined: May 22, 2003 | Posts: 1754

Peter

posted on Oct 01, 2008 - 02:23 AM

I have read it many years ago and own a copy, there is nothing at the time that leapt out at me as being different than what Sts. Gregory Nazianus or Gregory of Nyssa taught (only fathers whose writings on theosis I'm most familiar with).

Joined: Mar 18, 2003 | Posts: 427
Location: Jersey City, NJ