Σχόλιο στο Άσμα ασμάτων

by Christos Yannaras, Χρήστος Γιανναράς

"Γνωρίζουμε τον έρωτα μόνο στην απόσταση της αποτυχίας. Πριν την αποτυχία δεν υπάρχει γνώση· η γνώση έρχεται πάντα μετά τη βρώση του καρπού. Σε κάθε έρωτα ξαναζεί η εμπειρία της γεύσης του παραδείσου και της απώλειας του παραδείσου. Σπουδάζουμε τον έρωτα μόνον εξόριστοι από την πληρότητα της ζωής που αυτός χαρίζει".

Genres: Theology, Philosophy, Religion, Christianity

167 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Christos Yannaras (Greek: Χρήστος Γιανναράς) was a Greek philosopher, Eastern Orthodox theologian and author of more than 50 books which have been translated into many languages. He was a professor emeritus of philosophy at the Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences, Athens.

Reviews

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

A poetic treatise and exploration of the erotic impulse in humanity as the impulse toward life-giving relation and "boundless personal communion" (p.30). This translation also beautifully identifies the quality of true desire that compels us toward "the wonder of mutual self-renunciation and self-offering..." in deep recognition and encounter of the other, within the approach of love where "there is no shame, because there is no defense or fear. Then the whole body speaks the language of the glance, of the smile, of the rhythm of grace...the final disarming of self-giving attires itself in the language of revelatory nakedness" (p. 79).

Philosophically and theologically rich this work, as well as Yannaras' "Relational Ontology," pair well with the reading of Luce Irigaray's "To Be Two" and "The Way of Love."

[Μαρία · Rating 5 out of 5]

Σκιρτώ...:
"Διαλεκτική ζωής και θανάτου ο Έρωτας.Ο πόθος της ζωής σημαίνεται πάντα στον τόπο και στην παρουσία του Άλλου,στον τρόπο της αφής,της μέθεξης,της συν-ουσίας.
Η φύση οδηγημένη από την ελευθερία του Έρωτα στην παστάδα της έσχατης αυτοπαραίτησης.Κι ο θάνατος περίπτυξη του Μόνου Ποθητού.
Στόχος κάθε Έρωτα είναι η ολόκληρη μετοχή της ψυχής και του κορμιού στην άμεση σχέση,η ένωση των δύο σε σάρκα μία."

[Katelis Viglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very erotic and philosophical scholia on Bible's text. The well known style of Christos Yannaras, always aiming at the centre of meaning. If someone is familiar with his writings from other books, he will not be disappointed. His references in the modern agony of living are merged with the ancient text, making it alive. A lot of his views on Christian love, which appeared clearly here, made many severe theologians of the Greek Church opposed him strongly.

[Dimitra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Οι εντυπώσεις μου από το βιβλίο είναι δέος για την ένταση και ταυτόχρονα την λεπτότητα των συναισθημάτων που εκλύονται σε αυτή την ωδή στον έρωτα. Το βιβλίο θέλει το χρόνο του. Περισυλλογή και ωρίμανση των σκέψεων και των ιδεών που εκφράζονται.

[karter stanton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Catholic mystic thought that can be understood within the personalist tradition... you have gotten me once again.

[Marcas · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very good critique of 'nature'- positing relation as transcendence, including Agape and Eros. It is sharp and written in a lyrical haiku-like style which I like.

He develops his thought quite nicely around his theme of Relation over and against Nature; This dichotomy is stretched too far however, and he ignores the giftedness of creation and creatureliness, the goodness of sex beyond mere posterity and 'Traces of the Trinity' in life and in the Church.
The imago dei was damaged, not destroyed remember and the Kingdom is in our midst, we participate in that via the Church for Deification, not 'nature'- this allows the natural elements to be Transfigured, including things like food and sex, things which while linked to nature, are also made free in Christ.

They belong to the Kingdom more than nature, even if they are 'unnecessary'- surprisingly, he doesn't see this or develop much of the logic of his own thought in that form. For this reason I give the book 4 stars and not 5... For a failure of Incarnational nerve as Dr Norman Wirzba might put it.