The Greek analogical imagination in the mystical interpretation of scripture: a study directed to aspects of the thought of Gregory of Nyssa

Research Doctorate - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)Two of the most notable characteristics of the Church of Alexandria in the patristic period are the allegorical interpretation of Scripture and the development of Mystical Theology. The question naturally arises whether their presence together in Alexandria was simply a coincidence, or whether one was dependent on the other. It was this question which prompted the thesis. in the course of the enquiry it was necessary to examine allegory as such and the unique use of it in the Church of Alexandria. This led also to a study of typology and the different approaches to exegesis among the Churches. It seems to me that the mysticism of Alexandria is due to three influences: 1. There is a mystical element in Neoplatonism which is traditional and goes back beyond Plato. ; 2. There is the influence of the mystery religions and their use of symbol, symbolic language and allegory to keep the mystery shrouded. ; In the tradition of these mysteries, the allegorical method itself was regarded as a secret gnosis. 3. The allegorical method allowed this tradition to be read into Christian revelation. These points form the basic outline of the thesis