Athanasius Seemed to Think That Profound and Even Direct Encounters

question 47

Essay

Athanasius seemed to think that profound and even direct encounters with God could be obtained through the mediation of the biblical word and the sacraments. Others, such as Gregory of Nyssa, insisted that one had to bypass any physical mediations to encounter God most profoundly. Which position do you think makes the most sense and why?

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Definitions:

Glucocorticoid

A type of steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands that regulates metabolism and immune response.

NK Cells

Natural Killer cells, a type of white blood cell that plays a critical role in the body's innate immune system by targeting and destroying virally infected cells and tumor cells.

General Adaptation Syndrome

A three-stage process (alarm, resistance, exhaustion) that describes the physiological changes the body goes through under stress.

Exhaustion

A state of extreme physical or mental fatigue, often resulting from overwork or stress.