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Modern Gnosticism: F.W.J. Schelling's philosophy as an expression of Valentinian theology

  • Richard Lee May

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    1 Citation (Scopus)

    Abstract

    According to scholars as influential as Hans Urs von Balthasar, Eric Voegelin and Cyril O'Regan, what was once rejected as an esoteric second century Christian heresy, has, and indeed continues to, exert a significant amount of influence over modern philosophy and theology in the form of ancient Gnosticism. While a variety of major studies have applied this hermeneutical lens to evaluate and better grasp Hegel's philosophical system, very few have sought to interpret Schelling's philosophy in this manner, when there seems to be ample evidence to suggest that Schelling consciously adopted Gnostic philosophy, particularly Valentinian speculation, alongside other theosophic proposals, when constructing his own ideas. And, given the rise of theological systems, notably from the East, although not exclusively, in the guise of Sergius Bulgakov, that are heavily indebted to Schelling and are currently exerting a notable influence on contemporary Anglophone systematic theology (theologians such as John Milbank), it would seem beneficial for such a study to be conducted to better grasp certain trends in current, mainstream, theological proposals.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)348-366
    JournalThe Heythrop Journal
    Volume64
    Issue number3
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 21 Jan 2023

    Keywords

    • Gnosticism
    • Philosophy
    • Theology

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