The Creation of Personhood

Many approaches to Lossky’s thought center on his dogmatic examinations of apophasis, the Trinity, and personhood. Instead, in this article, I focus on his underdiscussed concern with the practices of personal spiritual life. By examining the theme of asceticism in Lossky’s work, I address a lacuna in Lossky scholarship. His scant mentions of the term belie a deeper insistence on the necessity of ascetic practice for his entire theological vision, particularly in his theological anthropology. Lossky understands asceticism, I contend, as the fundamental and necessary practice by which humans participate in the creation of their own personhood. To argue this, I analyze Lossky’s theological method in order to draw out the practical dimensions of his apophatic and anthropological insights. Finally, I propose a picture of Lossky as an ascetical theologian who encourages his readers to engage in the risky project of personal and social creation

Asceticism · Social practice · Indian and Buddhist Studies · Karl Barth and Christian Theology · Religious Studies and Spiritual Practices