Unpacking Palamism

Unpacking Palamism: A Catholic Critique, penned by esteemed scholar Dr. James Likoudis, meticulously scrutinizes the doctrines of Palamism, a theological construct found in Eastern Orthodoxy, but seemingly less than essential to it. This Palamite system, controversially claimed to be foundational to Eastern Orthodoxy, primarily involves the essence-energies distinction made famous by Hesychast monk Gregory Palamas. Dr. Likoudis examines the tenets of this system, discussing their place in Eastern Orthodox theology and ecumenism. He assesses the scriptural and traditional foundations of Palamism, as well as provides a Catholic lens through which to understand it, in the hopes of resolving longstanding difficulties in the way of full unity between the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches.

Testimonials

"This work represents the capstone of Dr. Likoudis's life-long effort toward reconciling his Eastern Orthodox brethren with the Catholic Church. His concise and informative treatment of Gregory Palamas, the famous and controversial 14th century monk of Mount Athos and Archbishop of Thessalonica, is both highly appreciative and gently critical. On the one hand, Likoudis praises Palamas's ascetical-mystical spirituality and theology of theosis, calling his rich Mariology "sublime" and suggesting that Catholics have much to learn from him. On the other hand, he devotes two chapters to Palamas's controversial notion of God's "uncreated energies," which, though distinct from God's transcendent essence, allegedly do not compromise divine simplicity and yet can be experienced by men as the 'Light of Mount Tabor.' Highly recommended."

- Dr. Philip Blosser,
Professor of Philosophy,
>"The Churches of the Christian East and West have wrestled for many centuries with the question of the relationship between the uncreated and created realms. In this work, James Likoudis presents a worthy synthesis of his own thinking along with several others on the matter, with varying degrees of sympathy and antipathy towards the Palamite distinction and its possible effect on the prospects of Orthodox-Catholic unity."

- Fr. Daniel Dozier,
Executive Director,
God With Us Eastern Catholic Formation

"Likoudis's concise retelling of the Palamite controversy and problematic readings of Palamism, both among Catholic and Orthodox scholars, as well as his concise summary of Palamas's Mariology, provide an accurate representation of academic positions thereon by the pars maior of Catholic theologians and can be used with great profit for becoming acquainted with the historically controversial assertions of Palamas and Palamists in both Late Byzantium and by Modern systematic theologians."

- Rev. Christiaan Kappes, PhD, SLD,
Academic Dean,
Byzantine Catholic Seminary of Ss. Cyril and Methodius;
Co-author, "Palamas Among the Scholastics,"
in Logos: A Journal of Eastern Christian Studies

"James Likoudis's Unpacking Palamism: A Catholic Critique is a most welcome and timely publication. While debate will continue over the compatibility of Palamas's theology and metaphysics with Catholicism, there can be no disputing Likoudis's pivotal role in bringing Palamas into the theological awareness of many Western Christians. It is Likoudis's clear presentation of Palamas's beautiful teaching on the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of all Christians, that sets this book apart. Mary is the key to resolving remaining theological differences between Catholic and Orthodox, and Likoudis provides his readers with a guide to knowing Mary according to the mind of this 'Pillar of Orthodoxy.'"

- Dr. Jared Goff,
Adjunct Professor of Dogmatic Theology,
Byzantine Catholic Seminary of Ss. Cyril and Methodius;
Co-author, "Palamas Among the Scholastics,"
in Logos: A Journal of Eastern