Illumination In Basil Of Caesareas Doctrine Of The Holy Spirit

Contents:
Preface
1. Introduction: Basil And Knowledge Of God
2. The Illumination And The Holy Spirit
3. In Divine Light-Baptism As Illumination
4. The Divine Light Over Creation
5. The Divine Light Over Scripture
6. Conclusion: To Speak Of The Spirit Of God
Index
Bibliography

Additional Info
Although Basil of Caesarea was the first to write a discourse on the Holy Spirit, many scholars have since questioned if he fully believed in the Spirit’s divinity. Timothy P. McConnell argues that Basil did regard the Spirit as fully divine and an equal Person of the Trinity. However, Basil refused to use philosophical terminology to make the point, preferring to use what the Spirit revealed through divine act and Scripture. Thus, “illumination” becomes the primary paradigm for Basil, which later theologians would come to call revelation, setting the stage for this study’s high relevance for contemporary thought.