St. Bonaventura on the Divine Illumination of Being Cover Image

Šv. Bonaventūra Apie Dieviškąjį Būties Apšvietimą
St. Bonaventura on the Divine Illumination of Being

Author(s): Juozas Žilionis
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, Epistemology, Philosophy of Religion, Ontology
Published by: Visuomeninė organizacija »LOGOS«
Keywords: St. Bonaventura; light; illumination; arts; knowledge; theology; Holy Scripture;

Summary/Abstract: The article considers the concept of divine illumination by St. Bonaventura, Minister General of the Order of Friars Minor, a Cardinal Bishop of Albano, Doctor of the Church, medieval scholastic theologian, philosopher and mystic. His philosophically problematic doctrine on light determines the limits of created world and describes its harmony. According to Bonaventura, the light is the substantial form and nature of all material forms and the source of their activity. The doctrine divides the light into four parts and six kinds: the parts are associated with the art of mechanics as well as sensual, philosophical and scriptural knowledge; the kinds are associated with six levels of cognitive powers. The whole human cognition consists of logical, ontological, psychological and theological (scriptural) aspects. The latter is the highest, since in a mystical sense it marks the coming back of illumination to its own source – God.

  • Issue Year: 2010
  • Issue No: 65
  • Page Range: 53-62
  • Page Count: 10
  • Language: Lithuanian