The Concept of the boundary (methorios) in the anthropology of Saint Gregory of Nyssa
Pojem meje (methorios) v antropologiji sv. Gregorja iz Nise

english

2025

volume 85, issue 3

anthropology   desire   freedom of choice   grace   methorios   soul

Univerza v Ljubljani, Teološka fakulteta
(Obvezni izvod spletne publikacije)

Gregory of Nyssa’s understanding of anthropology is anything but one-di-mensional. Characteristic of his thinking is the gradual move away from a Platonic, dualistic conception towards a holistic one, which was developed both in dialogue with contemporary philosophical currents and based on biblical revelation. It is therefore not surprising that his anthropology continues to pose a challenge to scholars studying the teachings of the Church Fathers on the human person. Wi-thin this holistic horizon, man is methorios – a boundary – precisely because he exists at the interface between the spiritual and the material order, as a creature that is both an embodied and a psychic being. Ontologically, this liminality is expressed in the soul, while morally it manifests itself in desire, which leads man either to a virtuous life or to servitude under sin. Finally, man, created in the ima-ge of God, is also, through divine providence, the threshold between created exi-stence and the uncreated God. The ontological gulf that separates them cannot be bridged or dissolved by a human person and her endeavours. It is overcome in Jesus Christ, who unites the uncreated divine and created human nature in his person. In communion with him – and thus through grace – a human being is ena-bled to transcend his own limitations and participate in divine life

17.02.2026