Theoaesthetics in the context of orthodox theology

This article examines some aspects of the Theoaesthetics - a theological trend that H. U. von Balthasar began to develop in the 1960s. The author shows that this theological direction reveals the traditional Christian worldview. Relying on S. S. Averintsev, the author argues that theoaesthetics can be considered an integral part of the history of Christianity, which is particularly evident in the Russian Orthodox tradition, which begins with a theology of beauty. It is noted that a reflection of Balthasar’s ideas can be found in such contemporary Orthodox authors as D. B. Hart, J. P. Manoussakis, A. S. Filonenko, and O. B. Davydov. The diversity of approaches is due to the fact that theoaesthetics overcomes not only confessional, but also many philosophical barriers. At the same time, it shows the rootedness of theoaesthetics in theological thought. Nevertheless the author notes that for the Swiss theologian metaphysics is primarily the history of Western thought, which does not take into account the Eastern tradition after Saint Maximus the Confessor (the figure of Vladimir Solovyov does not change the general concept). Here the possibility of a critical dialogue with Balthasar opens up, and yet the author believes that the Swiss theologian is right in saying that at the turn of the 13th to 14th centuries there is an important turn in the history of European intellectual culture, and therefore the history of metaphysics described by Balthasar remains relevant and fruitful, although it needs some refinements and additions.