Solovyov’s Sophiology as the Main Factor of f. Sergiy Bulgakov’s “spiritual birth”

Abstract

The analysis of the influence of V. Solovyov’s sophiology on the spiritual path of S.N. Bulgakov and his formation as a philosopher and theologian is proposed. The experience of the “revelation of Sophia”, developed by the thinker into a philosophical and theological concept under the direct influence of the philosophy of V. Solovyov, is considered as the main factor of the spiritual evolution of Fr. Sergius. Using the method of existential analysis, the key events of S.N. Bulgakov’s spiritual path are revealed, which became the basis of his conceptual constructions. As a result of the analysis, it was found that based on their own experience of cognition of Sophia as a special dimension of created being, connecting it with the Creator, S.N. Bulgakov demonstrates the continuity of the development of Russian philosophy from V. Solovyov to the thinkers of the Silver Age. This allows us to speak about the key role of the revelation of Sophia of the Wisdom of God as one of the main elements of the Russian philosophical tradition of the XIX–XX centuries. It is shown that, according to this philosophical interpretation, sophiology conveys an important spiritual experience of human perception of the essence of the created world, not damaged by Original sin. It is noted that this aspect of spiritual experience has not been previously investigated within the framework of academic theology, which led S.N. Bulgakov to conflict with traditional academic theology, allowed S.N. Bulgakov to overcome the materialistic understanding of history. Based on the analysis of a number of modern approaches, the sophiology of Fr. Sergius is interpreted as a valuable theologumen for the modern Christian consciousness, which is the response of the Russian Orthodox mind to the dehumanization of the world, to the secular picture of the world that has developed within the framework of Modern science. An example of the “spiritual birth” of fr. Sergiy Bulgakov is considered as a vivid example of the influence of Vladimir Solovyov’s legacy, his spiritual experience and philosophical doctrine on the subsequent history of Russian philosophy.