The Mystery of Christ, the Mystery of the Church: Christocentrism in the Theological Visions of Georges Florovsky and Henri de Lubac

This thesis examines the theologies of Georges Florovsky (1893-1979) and Henri de Lubac (1896-1991) and argues that christocentrism functions as a foundational interpretive priority for both thinkers. Rather than just an historical or methodological continuity, I argue that their shared christocentrism is reflective of a deeper theological motivation that seeks to communicate the reality of the Church in modernity. Thus, this thesis argues their christocentrism serves as a key to comprehending how they communicate the theological and ecclesial realities of their understanding of the Christian tradition, that is, within the frameworks of Orthodoxy and Catholicism respectively. I argue, however, that this methodological emphasis reveals an incompleteness in both thinkers’ theological visions, particularly in how their christocentric visions do not account for particularity, contextual difference, and concrete historical circumstance. As leading figures in Orthodox and Catholic theological renewal, Florovsky and de Lubac are renowned for their efforts in historical retrieval. In particular, they both emphasize the importance of theological continuity and articulate a vision of the present moment within the broader stream of the Christian tradition, which is communicated christocentrically. For both Florovsky and de Lubac, this christocentrism is mediated through the Church, which they understand as a christological communion. That is, the Church is a reality that is grounded in, sustained in, and oriented towards Christ. This, for both thinkers, provides for an ecclesial vision that is simultaneously or paradoxically historical and eschatological. This thesis explores three central thematics where their ecclesially mediated christocentrism is particularly evident: ecclesiology, creation and theological anthropology, and Scripture and its interpretation. Each theme situates their theology as operating from a christocentric priority that is mediated in the Church. By exploring these areas, this thesis highlights the shared convictions and differences in Florovsky and de Lubac. While sympathetic to aspects of their christocentric theologies, I critique both thinkers for their limited engagement with contextual diversity, their tendency to treat their respective ecclesial traditions as universally normative, and how their eschatological emphasis can enable indifferentism or escapism. In response, this thesis brings Florovsky and de Lubac into conversation with some influential, though not exhaustive, contextual theological perspectives. Such dialogue shows how attention to historical and cultural particularities can enrich the christocentric visions of Florovsky and de Lubac. This dialogue is reciprocal. Just as Florovsky and de Lubac can benefit from insights of contextual theologians, their shared emphasis on paradox and mystery in the life of the Church—as both an historical and eschatological reality—offers an important corrective to the risk of immanentism or presentism in contextual theology. That is, the tendency to reduce the Church’s identity to a particular historical moment, context, or experience. What emerges is a proposal for a paradoxical ecclesiology rooted in christocentrism. Drawing on Florovsky and de Lubac, this proposal recognizes the weight of the historical moment with an awareness of history’s limitations. Thus, this thesis proposes that an eschatological horizon does not need to neglect the present moment. Rather, this vision insists that the end of history calls us more deeply into it. The Church, as a christocentric reality, is to transfigure the present in light of what lies beyond it.<p></p>

Author dc:creator

• Alexander Hurtsellers (21041720)

• Orthodox Theology
• Catholic Theology
• Georges Florovsky
• Henri de Lubac
• Christocentrism
• Contextual Theology
• Ecclesiology

Statement dc:rights

• All rights reserved
• Open Access after 2027-09-16

Identifier

10779/exe.31788934.v1

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:figshare.com:article/31788934