Bulgakov on the Theotokos

In 2012, as editor of Logos: A Journal of Eastern Christian Studies, I accepted an article from a newly minted young scholar, Walter Sisto, "On the Acquisition of the Holy Spirit: Sergius Bulgakov and the Theotokos." After blind review, it was very gladly accepted for publication in 2013, and thus took its place in the very long list of publications focusing on Bulgakov that we have been seeing for some time, some of which I have noted on here since the very beginning.

Now Sisto is out with a new book, The Mother of God in the Theology of Sergius Bulgakov: The Soul Of The World (Routledge, 2017), 270pp.

The publisher tells us the following about this book:

This book explores the Mariology of one of the most unique and fascinating thinkers in the Russian Orthodox tradition, Father Sergius Bulgakov. Bulgakov develops the Russian sophianic mariological tradition initiated by Vladimir Solo’ev and argues that Mary is the "soul of the world" or the pneumatological hypostasis. Mary is the first and greatest disciple to be adopted by the Holy Spirit. By situating Mary within the life and mission of the Holy Spirit, Bulgakov maintains the respect and veneration that Orthodox Christians have for Mary, but also places Mary squarely within the community of disciples. Mary is a model disciple, who reveals that the goal of the spiritual life, spiritual motherhood. In addition, this text reveals the relevance and importance of Bulgakov’s contribution to the contemporary discussion about the role of Mary in the history of salvation.

I have written to the author to see if he would be interested in doing an interview about this book. I shall let you know if he is.

Incidentally, in perusing the back issue of Logos: A Journal of Eastern Christian Studies from 2012 (vol. 54, nos.1-2) in which Sisto's piece was published, I note that we also published other significant pieces, including Thomas Weinandy's review of Khaled Anatolios, Retrieving Nicaea: the Development and Meaning of Trinitarian Doctrine, which is a splendid book I have used in courses over the years; and then we also published Matthew Levering's review of Marcus Plested's absolutely landmark and not-to-be-missed book Orthodox Readings of Aquinas.