Catharsis and the Nous

The theology of the West is characterized by the elevation of the intellect, or the rational mind, evidenced by the academic approach in its seminaries. A “theological school”, by definition, applies a scholastic approach to learning, employing aristotelian logic and reason to arrive at systematic conclusions. Although the information age has distributed many theological writings, reading about first-hand experiences of The Holy does not qualify a true theologian. Rather than a sharp rational capacity, a true theologian requires a pure noetic facility.

The “nous”, or center of man, is sometimes described as the “heart”, the facility of man which “grows cold” (Matthew 12:24) due to wickedness. Sins, vices and passions affect this spiritual “eye”, the purity of which fills the body with light as with a lamp (Matthew 6:22). It is those who are pure in heart that are blessed, for they shall “see” God (Matthew 5). It is this “seeing” the Invisible God, a Firelight that burns but does not consume (Genesis 3:2), that a true theologian is produced. The purifying effect of this “fire” on the nous is the catalyst for True Theology. By the Light of God, we see light (Psalm 36:9).

Catharsis (Katharsis) is the greek word describing this purification of the soul. For the righteous, the Fire of God does not consume, but purifies the spiritual sight to see more clearly. Sanctification is the state of illumination, where the sinner becomes aware of God, becoming more mindful where he steps (Ps 119:105). It is the beauty of the Divine Light that draws the righteous and consumes wickedness. “For our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:29). It is this personal holiness that translates the Nature of God to one’s fellow man.

The Light of God represents and is Divine Wisdom, or hidden Knowledge of God. Thus this invisible Divine Light, or Glory, is indeed True Theology. It is the true theologian who is filled with this Divine Light (Exodus 43:35), pouring forth in word and action, revealing The Holy. We read about this spiritual phenomenon in textbook cases in the bible. Rather than reading about theologians, the true theologian is he who experiences the Divine Light of God, evidenced by his own outward disposition of character.

The Cross prefigured

A “prefiguration” foreshadows a coming event or reality in time. In the case of Orthodox Christianity, its theology and practice is prefigured in the Old Testament scriptures by use of imagery and typology. The law and the prophets, the temple worship of the Israelites, the festal calendar and lectionary (scheduled readings), are a prefiguration of Orthodox Christianity, the complete dispensation of the Character and Nature of God. For Orthodox Christianity, all the wisdom of the law and the prophets are alluding to the person of Jesus Christ. As the Old Testament foreshadows Christ, its theology can be summated by the Cross.

The Tradition of making the Sign of the Cross is rooted in the people and events of the Old Testament. The Prophets are considered “orthodox” by Christians; their revelation of God is considered the “right glory”. Their mysterious acts revealed true theology because they pointed to the True Theologian, the God-Man who discloses all mysteries. The Cross is displayed in hindsight to the Christian, coded throughout the Old Testament scriptures along with hundreds of other references to Christ’s life.

Moses’ righteous acts may not be immediately recognized as the work of the Logos. Parting the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21) and securing victory over the Amalekites (Exodus 17:11) Moses made himself an icon using his body and staff. Stretching out his hand, Moses parted the waters by He who commands the storm. The spiritual victory by way of the Cross over the forces of evil is also foretold in the battle with the Amalekites. The sign of the Cross is the sign of Christus Victor.

The crossing of Jacob’s hands when blessing his younger son (Genesis 49), speaks of the blessing that the younger religion would be to the world. Though the “older brother” has precedence, the younger would rise up to bless the world with the true “Anointed One”. Contrary to the established birthright, the lineage of the younger would go on to establish an Eternal Kingdom.

The mysterious act surrounding the floating axe head in 2 Kings chapter 6 warrants a much deeper search in meaning. The prophet Elisha takes a stick and tosses it in the Jordan at the location where the axe head fell in the river. With much allusion, the Word of God, the Logos, turns the established order upside down and the work of “letting every man take a beam from there, to make a dwelling place” continues by way of a miracle.

The icon of the Cross alludes to the Incarnate Logos. It is this manifesting, or being made present, that the miracles of the Old Testament were wrought. The acts of the Old Testament are accomplished by the Word of God. It is by His Icon that the revelation of God is manifest. Though the original manifestation was yet to occur by way of the Incarnation, the taking up of human flesh, True Theology was revealed by the Sign of the Cross. As the Power of God is fully revealed at the Cross, so it is the aftershocks of this event that are felt in the times of the Prophets.

A theological disposition

The study of theology as an academic subject can be misleading for the sincere pilgrim. The Knowledge of God described in the bible differs from theological information, and its acquisition always results in profound transformation of one’s demeanor. Unlike systematic theologies, the final test of Orthodoxy is not simply in the number of page citations, but the spiritual phenomenon we witness in the lives of the Saints. It is fitting that “Orthodoxy” has been translated as “right glory”. True Theology does not end in a true academic position, but in a truly spiritual disposition.

Isaiah the Prophet was one such Saint. Upon seeing the Unutterable Glory, he stood on the Precipice of the Divine Mystery and professed his own otherness. This Divine Revelation recorded in Isaiah chapter 6 allows the Christian to understand the nature of True Theology and its effect on the human psyche. The bible is full of these authentic experiences of Divine Revelation, and by these records we can distinguish the true theologian from the theologically minded. The latter is well spoken, the former tongue tied (Job 40).

Moses, while being a member of the former group (Exodus 4:10), experienced a change in countenance upon seeing the Invisible God. The encounter on Sinai left him aglow in radiance, such that it frightened the people of God (Exodus 34:29). This disclosure of God had to be veiled from them, though Moses had only seen God’s back (Exodus 33:23). Though terrifying, the true theologian calls out to us (Exodus 34:31) and invites us to look beyond the veil and embrace its brilliant and all-consuming Light.

Though the true theologian lacks adequate language to convey the All-Holy I AM, his face accurately translates the Divine Knowledge of His Nature, offending some and transforming others. For those with the courage to turn to face this Light, Its purifying effect draws them into greater communion with the Holy, allowing them to share in His Glory. “16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate[a] the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:16).