On Death and Eternal Life

Popular Patristics Series #64

by St Gregory of Nyssa, Brian E. Daley (Translator)

The seven works in this volume (some translated for the first time) explore the great human mystery of death and the promise of eternal life. They present—along with On the Soul and the Resurrection (PPS 12)—a vision that is consistent, philosophically profound, and characteristic of Gregory’s wider theology. The first three works (On the Dead, On Infants Taken Away before Their Time, and On the “Final Subjection” of Christ) might be termed thematic essays; the fourth is a sermon celebrating Christ’s resurrection (On the Holy Pascha); and the remaining three are funeral homilies given for prominent people in Constantinople (Meletius, Pulcheria, and Flaccilla). This volume includes the critical Greek text.

358 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 8, 2022

Reviews

[Ted · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although in general I'm not much attracted to philosophy, I found Gregory's philosophical comments about death to be more satisfying than his more pastoral comments from his funeral orations. I don't agree with everything he says, but in his philosophical thinking he humbly acknowledges that he is only offering his opinion but that others wiser than himself might have a better understanding of the topic and he expresses a willingness to accept their thinking as superior to his own. This is significant for another reason - later generations will dogmatize Gregory and the other Patristic writers attempting to make a coherent, systematic and doctrinally correct theology of their writings. Gregory certainly has strong opinions against heresy, but he also acknowledges that not everything he writes is infallible doctrine. He attempts to make sense of some aspects of life in light of the Gospel while admitting that he does not know everything (and also that no one person knows everything without error).

[Evan Cruse · Rating 3 out of 5]

You can clearly read how Nyssa would have been a great orator. I definitely struggled at times with what felt like a disconnect between the work of Christ and the works of virtue in the man.

But, moreso, there is definite tension in Nyssa's own thoughts on hell, judgment, and universalism.

Discourse on the Dead - 3
On Infant Death - 2 (maybe 1.5); felt like nothing was said and the principal argument that "hey if a kid dies they avoid future sins" is incredibly weak.

Final Subjection of Christ - 3ish

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Nyssa stands out in his orations. His Pastoral love is felt throughout.

Oration on Pascha - 4
Oration for Meletius - 4
Oration for Pulcheria - 4
Oration for Flaccilla - 3