Microcosm and mediator : the theological anthropology of Maximus the Confessor

One of the outstanding Christian thinkers of all time, Maximus the Confessor (ca. 580-662) exerted a powerful formative influence on the Church when it was still one and undivided. Maximus left his stamp on Christianity as it is now recognized by all three broad streams of Christian faith: Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Protestant. Yet for centuries the detailed study of Maximus's writings was neglected. The first edition of Thunberg's Microcosm and Mediator (1965) helped to transform this situation of indifference into one of intense interest in Maximus and the subtleties of his thinking. This new edition has been revised and expanded, with updated references and bibliographies. The focus of Microcosm and Mediator is Maximus's anthropology, his highly developed general reflections on human nature. Maximus understands man as, not only a being - a microcosm - who reflects the constitution of the created universe, but also as a being - a mediator - created in the image of God, whose task it is, in Christ, to reconcile the spiritual and the sensible into one homogeneous unity. Booknews Maximus (ca. 480-662) had a powerful influence on the early church that is still felt in Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant streams. Here the focus is on his general reflections concerning human nature. He considered Man (and so he discussed) to be both a microcosm that reflected the whole of creation, and a mediator charged to reconcile the spiritual and sensible into a single whole. Revised and expanded from the 1965 edition, and provided with updated references and bibliographies. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com) The Focus Of Microcosm And Mediator Is Maximus's Anthropology, His Highly Developed General Reflections On Human Nature. Maximus Understands Man As, Not Only A Being--a Microcosm--who Reflects The Constitution Of The Created Universe, But Also As Being--a Mediator--created In The Image Of God, Whose Task It Is, In Christ, To Reconcile The Spiritual And The Sensible Into One Homegeneous Unity.--from Publisher's Description. The Christological Background -- The Cosmological Context -- Maximus' Anthropology In General -- Some Elements Of Maximus' Psychology -- Establishing The Microcosm -- Performing The Task Of Mediation. Lars Thunberg ; Foreword By A.m. Allchin. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [437]-467) And Indexes. This text focuses on Maximus's anthropology, and his developed general reflections on human nature. It examines his psychology, his Christological presuppositions and the general concept of man as microcosm in Antiquity. There is a general agreement among scholars that the doctrine of Christ and the theology of the Incarnation form the very centre of Maximus' thinking.