Divine Presence in Late Antique Platonism: Theories, Practices, Contexts

The volume explores the Late Antique discourse on divine presence. It retraces the distinctive Neoplatonic theory and imagery of presence inaugurated by Plotinus, showing how later Platonists use it to denote an eternal bond with the divine that both guarantees the existence of reality and safeguards divine transcendence. Beyond theology, this theory offers answers to existential struggles as well as a foundation for ritual practice, all developed alongside a vibrant Christian discourse on God's presence that pivots on the figure of the incarnate Logos. Christian theologians engage and adapt Platonic concepts of presence, transforming them in the process. Common ground with their pagan counterparts surfaces not only in depictions of God's creative and providential activity, but also in seemingly conflictual areas: pagan concepts of saviour figures echo Christian ideas of the Son's mission, and even ideas of ritually contrived divine presence find a Christian adaptation. Ultimately, Late Antique theologians, whether Christian or pagan, are united in their quest for a theology that brings God and reality together as closely as possible.