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Document Details : Title: Imaging the Soul's Struggle to Become God Subtitle: Divinization in Origen's Homilies on Numbers and Plotinus' Enneads Author(s): MATTACKAL, Aashu Alexander Journal: Louvain Studies Volume: 45 Issue: 2 Date: 2022 Pages: 136-154 DOI: 10.2143/LS.45.2.3291400 Abstract : What is the destiny of the human person? What does divinization of the soul mean? How does one reach this state of perfection? These were questions of great interest to two of the most prominent late-antique Platonic philosophers, Origen and Plotinus. Prior research has devoted great attention to their understanding of the human soul and its salvation. Scholars have also comparatively analysed various ideas of the two thinkers. However, there are few studies comparing their thinking on deification. This paper will draw from Origen’s Homilies on Numbers and Plotinus’ Enneads to synthesize and outline their understanding of the exact stages in the soul’s journey back to God, highlighting the similarities and differences. It will show that the few differences can be attributed to their different loyalties towards Christianity and philosophy. On the other hand, despite any external evidence, the significant similarities in Origen’s and Plotinus’ thinking about the different stages on the soul’s journey – purification, illumination, perfection – compel this paper to suggest a common source for their understanding of divinization. |
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