Faith as Experience: A Theo-Phenomenological Approach
Diakrisis Yearbook of Theology and Philosophy November 30, 2023 DOI: 10.24193/diakrisis.2023.3 via Semantic Scholar
Summary
Faith in the Eastern Orthodox tradition has two types: simple faith, which is a set of theoretical teachings and dogmas, and contemplative faith, which is an experiential, ascetical, ethical, and mystical knowledge. Non-religious faith—natural or philosophical—serves as the foundation for religious faith. The article uses a theo-phenomenological method to analyze faith both theologically and phenomenologically, drawing on the relationship between phenomenology and theology.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Philosophy |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key finding | Faith in Orthodox spirituality comprises simple faith (dogmas) and contemplative faith (experiential knowledge), with non-religious faith as its foundation. |
Abstract
This text proposes an analysis of the phenomenon of faith in the tradition and spirituality of the Eastern Church. Starting from the relationship between phenomenology and theology, the article uses a theo-phenomenological method to depict the phenomenon of faith both theologically and phenomenologically. This article also argues that non-religious faith—either natural or philosophical—is the foundation of religious faith. According to Orthodox spirituality, faith is not reduced to a set of theoretical teachings and dogmas; they constitute only the first type of faith, “simple faith”. At the same time, faith is also a form of experience, which has ascetical, ethical, and mystical dimensions; they characterize the second type of faith, faith as contemplative sight and knowledge.