What is it about?
As with his Alexandrian forebear (Cyril of Alexandria), the relationship between God and humankind is paramount to Matta al-Miskin. At the centre of this relationship is Christ, who reveals the Father to humankind. For Matta, God created humankind so that it might have life with and in him. In essence, the Word transfigured creation with a transcendent sanctifying power, deifying it.
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Why is it important?
While maintaining his own distinct style, Matta al-Miskin demonstrates a clear adherence to the theology of deification—participation in and union with the divine—found in the tradition of his Alexandrian predecessors.
Perspectives
The theological depth and breadth of Matta al-Miskin are unmistakable, complemented by the asceticism characteristic of a contemporary desert father.
Wagdy Samir
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Theology of Union with God in Matta’s Commentary on the Gospel of St John, March 2025, De Gruyter,
DOI: 10.1163/9789004730137_006.
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