Communion with God: An Energetic Defense of Gregory Palamas

The Palamite distinction between essence and energies is one that has come under much criticism from Western systematic theologians for a variety of reasons. The criticisms offered by Western theologians are particularly sharp when considered against the historical backdrop within which the essence/energies distinction was fully developed by Gregory Palamas. This essay will argue that the Palamite distinction, properly understood and qualified, does indeed make possible real communion with God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.