I would like to do my thesis on Eastern Catholicism

[Ana_v]

I am a student at a Dominican college double-majoring in philosophy and theology. Both degrees require a senior thesis, which will also have to be orally presented and defended. As I understand it, I have the option of either writing two separate theses, or writing one much longer thesis which incorporates both philosophy and theology. I have attended two thesis presentations at my school so far: one by a theology major on Contemplative Prayer, the other by a double-major on Marriage (which drew, in part, from Aristotle’s philosophy of friendship).

The second person is a friend of mine and he recommended that I *not *pick a topic that is divisive among our professors (e.g. divine election/ predestination).

I have been thinking a lot about what topic I should choose. Many ideas of interest have passed through my mind, but none have seemed to me to be “the one”. Then I had this curious experience recently. I was exercising at the gym, watching a long interview video of an Easter Catholic abbot, and I began at feel at peace (I have anxiety problems) and then the idea of writing my thesis on something pertaining to Easter Catholic theology occurred to me, and again, I was peace with that idea, finally *satisfied *. Unlike my other ideas, where I still felt a hesitance and uncertainty. Also, I have a great affection for a Melkite Greek Catholic priest I once knew, and still occasionally keep contact with, who in my personal judgement, is the holiest priest I have known, if I had to “rank” them. I think that the interest in Eastern spirituality inspired in me is mostly owed to him.

Since I am a Latin who goes to a school that teaches within the Dominican-Thomist tradition (an environment in which, it seems to me, there is a general acquaintance with Eastern views) I would like to turn to my Eastern brothers and sisters in Christ for some help in choosing a topic.

The only one which has come to mind thus far is that of uncreated/created grace. I suppose the more general topic this falls under is the nature-grace relationship?

Pardon any ignorance of mine! More ideas would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Cavaradossi]

I am a student at a Dominican college double-majoring in philosophy and theology. Both degrees require a senior thesis, which will also have to be orally presented and defended. As I understand it, I have the option of either writing two separate theses, or writing one much longer thesis which incorporates both philosophy and theology. I have attended two thesis presentations at my school so far: one by a theology major on Contemplative Prayer, the other by a double-major on Marriage (which drew, in part, from Aristotle’s philosophy of friendship).

The second person is a friend of mine and he recommended that I *not *pick a topic that is divisive among our professors (e.g. divine election/ predestination).

I have been thinking a lot about what topic I should choose. Many ideas of interest have passed through my mind, but none have seemed to me to be “the one”. Then I had this curious experience recently. I was exercising at the gym, watching a long interview video of an Easter Catholic abbot, and I began at feel at peace (I have anxiety problems) and then the idea of writing my thesis on something pertaining to Easter Catholic theology occurred to me, and again, I was peace with that idea, finally *satisfied *. Unlike my other ideas, where I still felt a hesitance and uncertainty. Also, I have a great affection for a Melkite Greek Catholic priest I once knew, and still occasionally keep contact with, who in my personal judgement, is the holiest priest I have known, if I had to “rank” them. I think that the interest in Eastern spirituality inspired in me is mostly owed to him.

Since I am a Latin who goes to a school that teaches within the Dominican-Thomist tradition (an environment in which, it seems to me, there is a general acquaintance with Eastern views) I would like to turn to my Eastern brothers and sisters in Christ for some help in choosing a topic.

The only one which has come to mind thus far is that of uncreated/created grace. I suppose the more general topic this falls under is the nature-grace relationship?

Pardon any ignorance of mine! More ideas would be greatly appreciated!

Perhaps you could look into the modern debate that has sprung up in modern Greek theology over whether nature implies compulsion. Modern Greek academic theology has produced numerous figures who have worked towards the goal of generating a sort of systematic neopatristic theology designed specifically to respond to the insights of modern phenomenology, and this in turn has generated two opposing camps: those who oppose nature and person as compulsion versus freedom (Zizioulas and Yannaras), and those who do not (Loudovikos). The only major downside is that many of their works are still untranslated, and exist only in Modern Greek (Zizioulas hand Yannaras have had numerous books translated, while Loudovikos only has one translated, I believe).

There is a wealth of topics one could take from that. One could try to tackle the question directly and see what insights into the nature as compulsion debate could be taken from the Latin patristic heritage. One could try to relate attempts to tackle phenomenology by Greek theologians to attempts to do the same by Western theologians. Anything related to phenomenology is guaranteed to be a rather hot button issue.

Another good thesis topic might be to focus on an historical ecclesiastical figure or figures (the Cappadocian Fathers, St. Maximus the Confessor, St. Athanasius, St. Cyril, St. Ambrose, etc.), and attempt to draw out unique aspects of their philosophy and theology. A good example would be Scot Douglass’ thesis The Generation of a Diastemic Discourse in the Cappadocian Fathers, and his subsequent book, Theology of the Gap. In both works, he attempts to draw out a sort of Cappadocian understanding of epistemology, hermeneutics, and semiotics, and how this relates to how we are capable of knowing God.

Best of luck finding a thesis topic!

 

[Ana_v]

Perhaps you could look into the modern debate that has sprung up in modern Greek theology over whether nature implies compulsion. Modern Greek academic theology has produced numerous figures who have worked towards the goal of generating a sort of systematic neopatristic theology designed specifically to respond to the insights of modern phenomenology, and this in turn has generated two opposing camps: those who oppose nature and person as compulsion versus freedom (Zizioulas and Yannaras), and those who do not (Loudovikos). The only major downside is that many of their works are still untranslated, and exist only in Modern Greek (Zizioulas hand Yannaras have had numerous books translated, while Loudovikos only has one translated, I believe).

There is a wealth of topics one could take from that. One could try to tackle the question directly and see what insights into the nature as compulsion debate could be taken from the Latin patristic heritage. One could try to relate attempts to tackle phenomenology by Greek theologians to attempts to do the same by Western theologians. Anything related to phenomenology is guaranteed to be a rather hot button issue.

Another good thesis topic might be to focus on an historical ecclesiastical figure or figures (the Cappadocian Fathers, St. Maximus the Confessor, St. Athanasius, St. Cyril, St. Ambrose, etc.), and attempt to draw out unique aspects of their philosophy and theology. A good example would be Scot Douglass’ thesis The Generation of a Diastemic Discourse in the Cappadocian Fathers, and his subsequent book, Theology of the Gap. In both works, he attempts to draw out a sort of Cappadocian understanding of epistemology, hermeneutics, and semiotics, and how this relates to how we are capable of knowing God.

Best of luck finding a thesis topic!

Thank you for responding! And for listing various names, which is a great concrete starting point. I am very happy to consider a thesis on the thought of one of the Eastern patristics or doctors of the Church. Would you mind elaborating a little bit for me on the way in which phenomenology is a hot button issue? I am sorry to say I know very little of it, however much I have heard the term. Apart from knowing it has to do with a focus on human experience (I’ve heard it contrasted to objectivism) and that Pope John Paul II was a phenomenologist.

 

[Thomas48]

This is wonderful! I myself once wrote a very elementary level thesis on Eastern Catholicism and its relation to the larger Latin Church. I also wrote a simple thesis analyzing the Syro Malabar Sanctuary architecture, defining all of its parts and functions. One topic I would greatly recommend (though it could be a bit controversial) is Latinization, its origins, history, and lasting affects on the Eastern Catholic Churches. I feel that you could have a great pool of information on this topic. However, whatever you chose to write about, I wish you the best of luck.

 

[TheDoors]

This is wonderful! I myself once wrote a very elementary level thesis on Eastern Catholicism and its relation to the larger Latin Church. I also wrote a simple thesis analyzing the Syro Malabar Sanctuary architecture, defining all of its parts and functions. One topic I would greatly recommend (though it could be a bit controversial) is Latinization, its origins, history, and lasting affects on the Eastern Catholic Churches. I feel that you could have a great pool of information on this topic. However, whatever you chose to write about, I wish you the best of luck.

I think that a paper on Latinization would not go over well in a Dominican school. I am, however, interested. Before coming to Duquesne (a Spiritan college), I attended a Melkite church back in New York. There ever Sunday was said the Orthros, sometimes called Matins, which flows in to the Liturgy. Having come to Pittsburgh, the heart of my rite, I’m sad to find that instead of the Byzantine Orthros, there is instead the latin rosary said before the Liturgy.

As I said, the paper may not be well received, but it would at least be interesting.

 

[Ana_v]

This is wonderful! I myself once wrote a very elementary level thesis on Eastern Catholicism and its relation to the larger Latin Church. I also wrote a simple thesis analyzing the Syro Malabar Sanctuary architecture, defining all of its parts and functions. One topic I would greatly recommend (though it could be a bit controversial) is Latinization, its origins, history, and lasting affects on the Eastern Catholic Churches. I feel that you could have a great pool of information on this topic. However, whatever you chose to write about, I wish you the best of luck.

Many thanks for the suggestion! I noticed a mistake in my OP. I meant to say that at my school there is a general unacquaintance with Eastern Catholicism.

As it happens, I would like to better understand the various examples of Latinizations, their history (the “why” were they introduced), and the the critiques from an Eastern perspective. However, as noted by another commenter, such a topic may not be well received at my school because Latins will be naturally defensive of their own traditions (e.g. Eucharistic Adoration, especially since very recently our school built a perpetual adoration chapel which it has promoted in our diocese), and Latins who are barely exposed to Eastern practicies and theological expression could easily be perplexed and scandalized at the idea that other Catholics rites would be opposed to the introduction of Latin practices. In other words, it could elicit perceptions of superiority/inferiority.

 

[Ana_v]

I think that a paper on Latinization would not go over well in a Dominican school. I am, however, interested. Before coming to Duquesne (a Spiritan college), I attended a Melkite church back in New York. There ever Sunday was said the Orthros, sometimes called Matins, which flows in to the Liturgy. Having come to Pittsburgh, the heart of my rite, I’m sad to find that instead of the Byzantine Orthros, there is instead the latin rosary said before the Liturgy.

As I said, the paper may not be well received, but it would at least be interesting.

Yes, I have to be considerate of that fact that I attend a Dominican school and so to a large extent respect the sensibilities of my fellow Latin Catholics. I would be interested to do a paper on the defense of infant communion, but I prefer a topic for which it would be easier to incorporate philosophy (so that I can do one thesis, instead of two separate ones).

 

[MonsterOfThomas]

Many of the so-called “created Grace” problems stem from misunderstandings of the late Byzantine Doctors on Creation (specifically, St. Maximus and St. John Damascene). Any of the topics changing its interpretation (time, the forms, divine freedom) will put you in a prime position to dispel the common canard against Aquinas/“the west.”

 

[Cavaradossi]

Many of the so-called “created Grace” problems stem from misunderstandings of the late Byzantine Doctors on Creation (specifically, St. Maximus and St. John Damascene). Any of the topics changing its interpretation (time, the forms, divine freedom) will put you in a prime position to dispel the common canard against Aquinas/“the west.”

But most modern theologians tend to be of the opinion that the problem of created grace was caused by a misreading of Aquinas by later Neothomists.

 

[Cavaradossi]

Thank you for responding! And for listing various names, which is a great concrete starting point. I am very happy to consider a thesis on the thought of one of the Eastern patristics or doctors of the Church. Would you mind elaborating a little bit for me on the way in which phenomenology is a hot button issue? I am sorry to say I know very little of it, however much I have heard the term. Apart from knowing it has to do with a focus on human experience (I’ve heard it contrasted to objectivism) and that Pope John Paul II was a phenomenologist.

Sorry I missed this. Phenomenology in its Heideggerian form essentially undermines the confidence we can have in traditional Western Metaphysics from Plato on. Since much of Christianity seems to have become married to Western Metaphysics, some theologians are attempting to decouple the two, or to provide a corrctive to Metaphysics to make it more robust against Heidegger’s criticisms of traditional metaphysics.