The Glory of the Spirit in Gregory of Nyssa’s Adversus Macedonianos

In his commentary on Gregory of Nyssa’s Adversus Macedonianos, Piet Hein Hupsch highlights the carefully composed structure of this work and the important connection between its theological, rhetorical and stylistic elements. In his capacity of arbiter fidei, which was bestowed upon him by the Council of Constantinople in 381, Bishop Gregory wrote this circular letter in the form of a counteraccusation against the Pneumatomachi, developing his Trinitarian theology of adoration in which the Spirit occupies a central role.

In a systematic-theological synthesis of this work, Hupsch shows how the Spirit draws baptised human beings and human language into the relatio of the three divine persons, the dynamic circle of divine glory of which the Spirit is the personification.

Piet Hein Hupsch (1949) studied Classics (1973) and Theology (2011) and holds a PhD in Theology (2018, KU Leuven). He was principal of Mendel College, Haarlem (1982-2007), is a member of the Dutch Centre for the Study of Early Christianity and a researcher at KU Leuven.

...If one were to think of a definitive work on Gregory of Nyssa’s Adversus Macedonianos, Piet Hein Hupsch’s monograph comes very close. Certainly those who wish to approach this work of the bishop of Nyssa will have to consult this masterly research....In extreme synthesis, this volume, which also includes excellent indexes and a comprehensive bibliography, brings together, as is rarely the case, attention to both text and thought, both analysis and synthesis, and both a diachronic and synchronic approach. For this reason, it can be considered exemplary both in content and form.
Giulio Maspero, Journal of Ancient Christianity, 2022