Syncatabasis (Greek synkatabasis, lit. "going down together with", Latin condescensio; also anthropopatheia) in Christology is the "condescension" of God below his transcendence for the purpose of creation, and the ascription of human passions or attributes to God. The Hebrew term is derech benai Adam "the way of the sons of Man"
Novatian declares the Word (Sermo), His Son, is a substance that proceeds from the one God (substantia prolata), whose generation no apostle nor angel nor any creature can declare. He is not a second God, because He is eternally in the Father, else the Father would not be eternally Father. The syncatabasis takes place as He proceeded from the Father, when the Father willed it for the purpose of creation, while still remaining with the Father.[1]
John Henry Newman refers to the Syncatabasis of the Son as one of the teachings of the church fathers of the first four centuries AD.[2][3] In rhetorics, syncatabasis is the adoption of a level or style suitable for the audience addressed.[4]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Catholic Encyclopedia, article on Novatian and Novatianism. 1911.
- ^ John Henry Newman (1872). Causes of the rise and successes of Arianism.
- ^ John Henry Newman (1881). Tracts theological and ecclesiastical. London: Pickering and Co. p. 195.
- ^ Dennis Glover (22 November 2010). The Art of Great Speeches: And Why We Remember Them. Cambridge University Press. p. 246–. ISBN 978-1-139-49387-1. Retrieved 19 May 2013.
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Novatian and Novatianism". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.