Joel Kalvesmaki on Evagrius' Kephalaia Gnostika: Philosophy, Scripture, and Apophatic Mysticism
In Part II of our discussion with Joel Kalvesmaki we explore the philosophy and mysticism of the Kephalaia Gnōstika, Evagrius' masterwork of mind-bending metaphysical aphorisms.
Primary Sources
Homer, Iliad and Odyssey
The Iliad and the Odyssey stand as the foundational works of ancient Greek literature, offering a unique perspective on the intersection of fate and free will. Homer makes the bold claim that mortality, despite its inherent grief, is a state to be chosen over the empty ease of immortality. Through t
Gregory of Nazianzus, Basil of Caesarea and John Chrysostom (Cambridge, University Library, MS Nn.1.23)
Readers encounter the sharp, combative, and deeply spiritual arguments of Gregory of Nazianzus, Basil of Caesarea, and John Chrysostom. These thinkers reject the cold precision of heretical philosophy in favor of a faith that embraces what the human mind cannot map. They argue that the union of divi
The Chaldean Oracles
This text offers a rare, syncretic exploration of Zoroastrian oracles interpreted through the lens of Neoplatonic and Christian thought. It presents a universe structured in three distinct parts—the eternal, the immortal but generated, and the decaying—and positions the human soul as a mediator 'glu
Philosophical Magic: The Chaldean Oracles
This text provides a bridge between ancient pagan theology and the Christian era by asserting that the oldest sages were actually practitioners of a high, holy religion. Patrizi challenges the Aristotelian status quo of his time by arguing that philosophy is inherently tied to theurgy and the animat
Synopsis of Histories
The Synopsis of Histories functions as a massive, polemical effort to anchor all of human existence within a divine, chronological framework. Cedrenus does not just record events; he reinterprets pagan legends and philosophical debates through a strict Christian lens. He claims that historical truth
Greek Patrology, Vol. 37: Gregory of Nazianzus III
This volume captures the internal and external struggles of a man caught between the desire for monastic silence and the relentless demands of a public church office. Gregory balances rigorous theological defense against heresy with raw, personal accounts of grief, physical illness, and political be
Patrologia Graeca Vol. 40 (Evagrius Ponticus)
This volume serves as a primary source for understanding how early Christian thinkers reconciled classical philosophy with biblical faith. It challenges the reader to look past the surface of physical existence and recognize the soul as an immortal, incorporeal substance. The texts force a confronta
Homers Odyssey Books XIII-XXIV
This edition brings the final movement of Homer’s epic to life through careful linguistic and historical analysis. It challenges readers to see Odysseus not merely as a hero, but as an instrument of divine retribution. You will encounter the tension between human agency and the overwhelming influenc
On the Chaldean Oracles
In 'De oraculis Chaldaicis', Wilhelm Kroll performs a masterclass in philological detective work, reconstructing the lost fragments of a text that Neoplatonists like Proclus considered more authoritative than Plato himself. This work navigates the high-stakes tension between rigorous historical crit
The Chaldaean Oracles
G.R.S. Mead brings to life one of the most mysterious and influential texts of late antiquity, bridging the gap between Hellenic philosophy and Eastern mysticism. Through his unique Gnostic-leaning perspective, Mead decodes the cryptic Oracles to describe a universe governed by 'Iynges' (divine whir
The Odyssey, Books 1-12
This epic poem serves as the bedrock of Western storytelling by defining the hero as a man of many wiles. It confronts the brutal realities of war, the fragility of the household, and the desperate human need for home. The text challenges the reader to distinguish between divine fate and mortal foll