'We will become another heaven and god will dwell within us’ : spiritual perfection and deification in the works of Manuel Gabalas

This paper explores the philosophical and theological views of the late Byzantine scholar Manuel Gabalas, focusing on his views on spiritual perfection and deification. Gabalas’ works present a synthesis of Ancient Greek philosophy and Christian theology, rooted in the tradition of Christian Platonism. Central to his concept of spiritual perfection is the role of praxis, while his idea of deification emphasizes the transformative role of the nous, the faculty that guides the soul towards spiritual perfection. Through dispassion, prayer, and contemplation, the purified nous receives divine illuminations, restores its divine dignity, and ultimately achieves an essential union with God. This state, granted by divine grace, allows humans to become ‘another heaven’ where God dwells, embodying an angelic and divine life while still on earth, as exemplified by prophets and didaskaloi (teachers). By examining Gabalas’ thought, this paper contributes to a deeper understanding of late Byzantine theology and intellectual history, particularly in relation to the Palamite or Hesychast controversy.