''Phronema'' is a transliteration of the Greek word φρόνημα, which has the meanings of "mind", "spirit", "thought", "purpose", "will", and can have either a positive meaning ("high spirit", "resolution", "pride") or a bad sense ("presumption", "arrogance"). In the

New Testament The New Testament (NT) is the second division of the Christian biblical canon. It discusses the teachings and person of Jesus in Christianity, Jesus, as well as events relating to Christianity in the 1st century, first-century Christianit ...

, the word is used four times in Saint Paul's Letter to the Romans: twice with "τῆς σαρκός" (of the flesh) and twice with "τοῦ πνεύματος" (of the spirit): "for the ''mind'' of the flesh sdeath, and the ''mind'' of the Spirit – life and peace; because the ''mind'' of the flesh senmity to God ..and He who is searching the hearts hath known what sthe ''mind'' of the Spirit" (Romans 8:6- 27).

Eastern Orthodox theology

The term ''phronema'' is used in

Eastern Orthodox Eastern Orthodoxy, otherwise known as Eastern Orthodox Christianity or Byzantine Christianity, is one of the three main Branches of Christianity, branches of Chalcedonian Christianity, alongside Catholic Church, Catholicism and Protestantism ...

theology Theology is the study of religious belief from a Religion, religious perspective, with a focus on the nature of divinity. It is taught as an Discipline (academia), academic discipline, typically in universities and seminaries. It occupies itse ...

for one particular ''mindset'' or ''outlook'' – the ''Eastern Orthodox mind''. The attaining of ''phronema'' in this sense is a matter of practicing the correct faith (''orthodoxia'') in the correct manner (''orthopraxis''). Attaining ''phronema'' is regarded as the first step toward '' theosis'', the state of ''glorification''. ''Phronema'' is also the name of the official annual review of St Andrew's Greek Orthodox Theological College, Sydney, Australia. It presents articles and book reviews from Orthodox and non-Orthodox on topics with central reference to theology, Church history and Orthodoxy.

Use by John Henry Newman

The term was used by

John Henry Newman John Henry Newman (21 February 1801 – 11 August 1890) was an English Catholic theologian, academic, philosopher, historian, writer, and poet. He was previously an Anglican priest and after his conversion became a cardinal. He was an ...

in an article published in 1859 under the title "On Consulting the Faithful in Matters of Doctrine". He said that the ''consensus'' of the faithful is to be regarded as "a sort of instinct, or ''phronēma'', deep in the bosom of the mystical body of Christ".

Use by Ernst Haeckel

The term was used by

Ernst Haeckel Ernst Heinrich Philipp August Haeckel (; ; 16 February 1834 – 9 August 1919) was a German zoologist, natural history, naturalist, eugenics, eugenicist, Philosophy, philosopher, physician, professor, marine biology, marine biologist and artist ...

in his book ''The Wonders of Life''Ernst Haeckel, ''The Wonders of Life: A Popular Study of Biological Philosophy'' (London, 1904, Watts & Co.)
/ref> where (p. 342) the phronema is the name given to a part of the cortex, as “the real organ of mind”.

References

{{Greek Orthodox Christianity Eastern Orthodox theology Christian terminology Greek words and phrases

Eastern Orthodox theology

Use by John Henry Newman

Use by Ernst Haeckel

See also

References