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Welcome to the Dionysius Circle Podcast
21 Plays3 months ago
The Dionysius Circle Podcast explores Theias Philosophias ("Divine Philosophy")—the union of theology and philosophy. Hosted by Dr. Sam Bennett, the podcast delves into the wisdom of the Eastern Christian Fathers, such as St. Dionysius the Areopagite, St. Maximus the Confessor, and St. Gregory of Nyssa. It examines their connections to Plato and Neoplatonism and their influence on later thinkers like St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Gregory Palamas. The podcast also explores key philosophical and theological currents, such as mysticism and apophaticism.
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Transcript
Introduction to Dionysus Circle Podcast
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Welcome to the Dionysus Circle podcast. I'm your host, Dr. Sam Bennett. The Dionysus Circle is an academic community dedicated to philosophical engagement with the Eastern Christian Fathers, figures like St. Dionysus the Areopagite and St. Maximus the Confessor. For more information, visit DionysusCircle.org where you'll find details about our publications and events, including our annual symposium.
Uniting Philosophy with Theology
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Our work at the circles inspired by what St. Dionysus the Areopagite in chapter 3 of the Divine Names calls Theus Philosophius, or Divine Philosophy. Divine Philosophy is the idea that while respecting the mysteries of the Christian faith, philosophy should use all its tools to unite with theological doctrine. Ultimately, by uniting with theology, philosophy fulfills its deepest longing to confront the ultimate truth of reality and the greatest possible clarity of vision.
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This idea of
Exploration of Eastern Fathers' Traditions
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divine philosophy guides the mission of the Dionysus Circle. While the Circle's mission focuses on philosophical engagement with the Eastern Christian Fathers, this podcast broadens the scope and provides a space to explore four key areas. First, we explore the philosophical traditions that shaped the Eastern Fathers, including those of Plato, Aristotle, and Neoplatonism.
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These traditions provide essential context for understanding their thought. Second, we examine later Christian thinkers influenced by the Eastern Fathers, figures such as St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Gregory Palamas, and Nicholas of Cusa. This allows us to trace the enduring legacy of their ideas. Third, we engage with Western Christian Fathers, including St. Augustine and St. Leo the Great. Their insights often intersect with and illuminate the works of the Eastern Fathers.
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Finally, we delve into philosophical traditions, even non-Christian ones, that conceptually overlap with the Eastern Fathers, such as expressions of negative theology and mysticism.
Acknowledgments and Closing
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Through these broader explorations, we aim to deepen our appreciation of how the Eastern Christian Fathers united theology and philosophy, where reason and faith meet in their highest expression.
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I'd like to take a moment to thank Peter Anthony Taney for graciously allowing us to use his rendition of Of the Father's Love Begotten from his album Sea Dreams. May the peace of Christ be with you and I hope you enjoy the podcast.