sophianic

Sophianic refers to a set of theological and philosophical concepts primarily associated with the writings of the 20th-century Russian philosopher and theologian Sergei Bulgakov. At its core, sophianic thought centers on the concept of Sophia, often translated as "Wisdom," understood as a divine principle or entity within God. This divine Sophia is not a separate person of the Trinity but is seen as the uncreated creative potential or the internal life of God, through which God relates to the created world.

Bulgakov developed this concept extensively, particularly in his work "The Wisdom of God." He viewed Sophia as the ontological ground of all creation, the "idea" or "plan" of the universe in the divine mind. This divine Wisdom is also understood as the soul of the cosmos, a unifying principle that permeates and sustains all existence. It is through Sophia that God's creative energy is expressed and actualized.

The concept has implications for understanding the relationship between God and the world, as well as for christology and mariology. In sophianic thought, Christ is seen as the embodiment of divine Wisdom, and Mary, the Mother of God, is often interpreted as a manifestation or vessel of Sophia in the created order. This understanding emphasizes the divine indwelling in creation and the inherent goodness and spiritual potential of the universe. While rooted in Orthodox Christian theology, sophianic ideas have also been explored and debated in broader philosophical and theological circles.