Divine Participation: A Reconstruction of St Cyril of Alexandria's and Fr Matta Al-Miskīn's Commentaries on the Gospel of St John - (Hardcover)

About the Book

This monograph examines humankind's union with God by two fathers, Cyril of Alexandria and Matta al-Miskīn, in their commentaries on the Gospel of John, assessing the coherence of contemporary Coptic Orthodox thought with its roots in the Alexandrian tradition.

Book Synopsis

This monograph offers a comparative study of Cyril of Alexandria (c.378-444) and Matta al-Miskīn (1919-2006) on humankind's union with God, or deification, as articulated in their commentaries on the Gospel of John. By bridging over fifteen centuries, it highlights the continuity of contemporary Coptic Orthodox thought with its Alexandrian roots. Both theologians emphasise the real, existential, and transformative nature of divine participation. While this participation is substantial, not superficial, both Cyril and Matta underscore the profound asymmetry between the divine being (God) and the human participant, affirming the mystery of this union within the framework of Orthodox theology.

About the Author

Wagdy Samir, Ph.D. (2022), is an independent Coptic Orthodox scholar and Director of the Australian Institute for Orthodox Christian Studies (AIOCS). His academic contributions include articles exploring the theological legacy of Father Matta al-Miskīn, with a particular focus on his Alexandrian heritage.