St Gregory of Nyssa - On Death and Eternal Life | Patristic Christian Theology on the Afterlife and Resurrection | Early Church Writings on Death Soul and Salvation | Spiritual Reflections

by St Gregory of Nyssa, Brian 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.

330 pages, Paperback

Published December 1, 2022

Reviews

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection is a wonderful blend of the theological and the pastoral. The first three works are more philosophical works about death. The most interesting to me was the one on infants dying young. The last four works are all sermons. The first is a sermon given on Easter about Christ's resurrection and the last are all funeral sermons. The first was for a respected Christian leader, but the last two are the highlight of the work. One is on a 6 year old princess who died tragically and the second was for her mother given 6 months later. These are the kinds of funerals every pastor dreads having to preach. They are simply wonderful and moving to read. I will return to them when I have to preach a hard funeral.

I have yet to be disappointed by any volume in the popular patristic series. This translation is wonderful and readable. I love having the greek text side by side for reference.

[Guenther · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can get a bit philosophical, but has beautiful passages. Sometimes his theology reads wonky to me (seems close to universal salvation), but only in specific passages few and far between. His funeral oratations are beautiful, and the first part of the funeral sermon of the Empress has sound advice on silence being a good medicine for grief. Would love to read more of his works.