The Creation of Humanity

...a mark of greater wisdom; and regarding the richness of natures, not even the whole wealth of goodness was yet known. This the Craftsman technites original: "τεχνίτης" (technites). An artisan or architect; Gregory uses this to emphasize God's deliberate design of the human person. alone wished to demonstrate. And a living being zoon original: "ζῶον" (zoon). In this philosophical context, it refers to any "animated" or "living thing." fashioned from both—I mean from the invisible and the visible creation—He creates man. And having brought him forth from what already pre-existed, and having placed within him from Himself the breath The manuscript transcription here reads "κόσμον" (world), but in the context of Gregory's known text and the Genesis creation story, this is likely a scribal or OCR error for "πνοὴν" (breath or spirit). I have translated the sense of the theological argument.... the Creator demiourgos [bestows] a soul and an immortal substance original: "ψυχὴν καὶ ἄκομον θυσίαν." The phrase "ἄκομον θυσίαν" (unadorned sacrifice) is likely a corruption of "ἀθάνατον οὐσίαν" (immortal substance) found in standard editions of this text. through the Word Logos. Like a certain second world, great within the small This is the classic "microcosm" concept: that a human being contains the entirety of the universe (both physical and spiritual) within a single small frame., He establishes him upon the earth: another angel, a composite worshiper, an overseer of visible creation, an initiate of the intelligible, king of those upon the earth,

but ruled from above; earthly and heavenly; fleeting and immortal; visible and intelligible; a middle point between greatness and lowliness. The same being is both spirit and flesh: spirit because of grace, flesh because of pride Gregory argues that the physical body, with its needs and weaknesses, was designed to keep the human spirit from becoming as arrogant as the fallen angels.. The one [spirit] exists so that he might remain and glorify his Benefactor; the other [flesh] exists so that he might suffer, and through that suffering be reminded and disciplined when he strives after greatness. A living being managed here in this life, but translated elsewhere; and the goal of the mystery is this: to be deified theoumenon original: "θεούμενον." This refers to 'theosis,' the central Orthodox Christian doctrine that the purpose of human life is to become like God through union with Him. by his turning toward God. For the modest light of truth here leads me toward the radiance, both to see and to experience the dignity of that which is joined...