Prof. Briel Publishes Book on Greek Orthodox Theologian Scholarios

Assumption College Assistant Professor of Theology Matthew C. Briel, Ph.D., has published a new book about 15th century Greek Orthodox theologian Gennadios Scholarios. 

Prof. Briel’s book, A Greek Thomist: Providence in Gennadios Scholarios (Notre Dame Press), is the first theological study of perhaps the greatest mind in the Greek writing fifteenth century, Gennadios Scholarios. Specifically, the book looks at how Scholarios appropriated the Latin Thomas Aquinas to the Greek theological tradition. In this way it contributes to ecumenical relations, for it demonstrates not only the  compatibility between the two theological traditions (Orthodox and Catholic) but also that the what is usually thought of as experiential (Orthodoxy) and scholastic (Catholic) have in fact been integrated in the Greek heritage.

“Through this book, I aim to educate readers on and bring a contemporary view to historical, theological, and philosophical traditions from the 13th and 15th centuries,” said Prof. Briel. “This complex study involving Aquinas, Gennadios, and Aristotle is meant to encourage us to reconsider our understanding of Byzantine theology and what constitutes orthodoxy within a pro- or anti-Western paradigm.”

Prof. Briel has a B.A. and M.T.S from the University of Notre Dame; an M.A. from the University of Minnesota; and a Ph.D. from Fordham University. At Assumption, he teaches courses such as Introduction to Theology, Catholicism Today, Faith and Reason, The Problem of God, The Early Church, Revelation Ancient and Modern, and The Church in the Middle Ages.