Date of Award

4-1-2006

Document Type

Seminar Paper

Degree Name

Master of Sacred Theology (STM)

Department

Historical Theology

First Advisor

Quentin Wesselschmidt

Scripture References in this Resource (separated by semi-colons)

Matthew 24:45; 2 Corinthians 4:7; Hebrews 1:7;

Abstract

One such student of his times was Origen. In his writings we see glimpses that while his goal was ultimately a deeply spiritual one-no less than a union with the Divine-he seemed no stranger to a more holistic approach in his encounters with the students who placed themselves under his tutelage. One of those students, Gregory Thaumaturgus, often called the "Wonderworker," even bequeathed to the church a most revealing document that enables us to get a rare glimpse of Origen and his method and style. It is that document, Gregory's Address of Thanksgiving to Origen, that will be the subject of this paper.

For my purposes, the greater goal will be to discern whether Origen's method of discipling his students fits the category of what would be considered spiritual direction and the care of souls. To what degree does this method contribute to a pastor's overall view of his own office, and the practice of what has traditionally been understood as the care of souls? Gregory offers up some wonderful insights regarding his teacher and "friend." In so doing, he opens a window to past patterns of spiritual direction and formation, with a possible view to the present.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

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