Martin Luther, Sergei Nikolaevich Bulgakov and Pavel Alexandrovich Florensky: an unexpected convergence regarding the concept of the “new theology”

Abstract

Luther, on the one hand, and Bulgakov and Florensky on the other, are theologians who at first glance show numerous differences. They belong to different historical periods and different geographical and linguistic areas, to different Christian denominations and to different schools of theology. From another point of view, however, these three figures show a series of convergences regarding one of the main aims of their intellectual activity: the elaboration of a “new theology” capable of generating a better understanding and transmission of the living and life-giving truth of Christian revelation. Adopting an epistemological perspective as the basis of an analysis of their theologies, the present article seeks to highlight an unexpected agreement between the epistemological choices that the three theologians make on their way to the creation of a new theological model. The study invites the reader to consider that, as in the case of the two Russian theologians, one of the problems for the interpretation and reception of Luther’s theology lies in his epistemological particularity. This fact is relevant to the Catholic-Lutheran dialogue.