Maximus the Confessor’s Attitude Towards the Doctrine of One Operation in Christ

Oleksandr Kashchuk

Uniwersytet im. Iwana Franki we Lwowie; Ukraiński Katolicki Uniwersytet we Lwowie , Ukraine
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6302-1851


Abstract

The teaching of one operation in Christ, known as Miaenergism (mÒnh ™nšrgeia, m…a ™nšrgeia), declared that Christ performed both human and divine deeds through one divine-human operation. The article consists of three points. These relate to: Maximus Confessor’s teaching on two natures of Christ; Maximus’ arguments concerning the teaching on two operations in Christ according to His two natures; Maximus’ vision of the harmony of Christ’s activity. There was applied analysis of the works of Maximus the Confessor. As the result of analysis there were stressed main ideas of Maximus’ teaching on activity in Christ. Aftermath these ideas were compared and synthesized. Maximus the Confessor's standpoint towards activity in Christ was gradually evolving: from interest, through a critical approach, to correction. St. Maximus definitely does not accept the teaching of one divine-human operation in Christ. He made a clear statement on human operation in Christ as a natural operation of his humanity. The natural operation is a constituent power of human nature and it is a truthful proof of human essence. Christ is double in respect to nature, so as well He is double in respect to operation. The Logos was considered as the subject of Christ’s activity and the humanoperation was an instrument subordinated to the Logos.

Keywords:

Maximus the Confessor, Christ, activity, operation, nature, hypostasis

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Published
2021-09-15


Kashchuk, O. (2021). Św. Maksym Wyznawca wobec doktryny o jednym działaniu w Chrystusie. Vox Patrum, 79, 113–130. https://doi.org/10.31743/vp.12665

Oleksandr Kashchuk  oleks_andr@ucu.edu.ua
Uniwersytet im. Iwana Franki we Lwowie; Ukraiński Katolicki Uniwersytet we Lwowie https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6302-1851



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