Pessimism and Hope in Gregory of Nazianzus’ Theological Heritage

Abstract

The theological virtue of hope has been a subject of profound reflection in the Christian tradition, particularly for its role in spiritual life and the human journey toward God. While Gregory of Nazianzus’ (329–390) contributions to Trinitarian theology and Christology have been extensively studied, his understanding of hope as an integral element of spiritual life has not yet received adequate systematic attention. This article addresses this research gap through a hermeneutical analysis of Gregory’s theological legacy. Although his works do not contain a systematic teaching on hope, the study demonstrates how Gregory’s spiritual experience transforms into a profound theological vision of hope. The article proceeds in three stages: first examining Gregory’s personal experience and its influence on his theological thinking, then analyzing his poetic works that describe existential experiences of pessimism, and finally exploring the theological foundation of his concept of hope through his anthropological teaching. The research reveals that Gregory develops an “anthropology of hope” where human existence, though marked by struggle and suffering, finds its ultimate meaning in the calling to theosis. By examining the dialectical tension between pessimism and divine aspiration in Gregory’s poetry, this study shows how he articulates hope not as mere optimism, but as a dynamic reality grounded in the experience of God’s presence and God’s promises.