For this session, we feature three papers and a response that explore the relationship between Orthodox mysticism and scripture. The papers reflect on patristic and modern mystical approaches and interpretations of scripture situated within the broader Orthodox theological and hermeneutical tradition.
Paul's lament over his "body of death" in Romans 7:24 has often been interpreted throughout history as a bewailing of physical mortality. However, the mysterious, 4th century ascetic, "Macarius," teaches the monks in his care that the apostle speaks of the soul without divine illumination. Despite its unusueal nature, this exegetical choices can be explained by Macarius' associative reading of Romans 7 with other passages of Christian scripture, joined with a view of the text as direct commentary on the interior realities of the soul. Viewing the text this way, the homilist brings a psychological reading to the Pauline phrase which both the temporal indicators of scripture into something like "sacred time," and also demonstrates the richly embodied spirituality which marks this author. The soul's darkness is overcome by the transforming divine light, a light that extends not only to the soul, but the body as well.