Father Dumitru Stăniloae (1903–1993) and his Contribution to Theology

This paper attempts to offer a general overview of the contribution of Father Dumitru Stăniloae to theology, emphasizing recognitions and commentaries (from throughout the entire spectrum of Christian theology) related to this topic. As promoter of the Patristic Tradition, Father Stăniloae successfully elaborated a form of neopatristic theology. His struggle against the scholastic typology, his promotion of Saint Gregory Palama’s theology, his support of the spiritual approach to dogmas, the importance of the Philokalic theology, the role of the patristic exegesis and ascetic experience in the dogmatic development of Tradition are just a few aspects of this approach. The final section of the paper provides the perspective of understanding Father Stăniloae’s theology as an open dimension to the entire cosmic reality.