Script: Simplified Chinese Publisher: SDX Joint Publishing Co, Beijing Date: May 1998 Format/Pages: Softcover, 260 pp ISBN: 7108011603/ISBN-13: 9787108011602 Availability: in stock Price: $13.00
According to the Mesyatseslov of Saints Lives, St Dionysius' book On Mystical Theology sets forth the teaching about divine knowledge. The theology of the Orthodox Church is totally based upon experience of divine knowledge. In order to know God it is necessary to be in proximity to Him, to have come near to Him in some measure, so as to attain communion with God and deification (theosis). This condition is accomplished through prayer. This is not because prayer in itself brings us close to the incomprehensible God, but rather that the purity of heart in true prayer brings us closer to God.
The Mystical Theology attributes its authorship to St Dionysius the Aeropagite. St Dionysius was a convert of the Apostle Paul (cf. Acts 17:34) and commemorated as a hieromartyr on October 3 of the Orthodox liturgical calendar. Modern scholars claims its extensive anachronism as evidence of a pseudonymous work by some 5th century Syriac monastic. In either case, the Orthodox Church has embraced his writings as completely Orthodox. Translated and published by non-Orthodox, so read with discretion.