The article discusses in detail the theology of culture by S.N. Bulgakov. Due to the dominance of the concept of sophiology in the work of the philosopher and theologian, this discussion should speak about the sophiology of culture. Bulgakov’s sophiology was genetically connected with the understanding of Sophia by V.S. Solovyov, who, in turn, was inspired by Western European mysticism, the Russian iconographic tradition of venerating Sophia the Wisdom of God, as well as the concept of the Great Being in sociology by O. Comte. Bulgakov considered the interpretation of economy from the perspective of the sophiological doctrine in his book “Philosophy of Economy” («Filosofiya hozyajstva»). The article shows how the philosopher divides the sophian activity of mankind into “gray magic” (economy and science), and “white magic” (art). The author points to the importance of Bulgakov’s criticism of art, art is interpreted by the philosopher as the “Old Testament of Beauty”, as only Sophia’s striving for eternal life. The importance of Bulgakov’s distinction between sophiurgy and theurgy is emphasized. Sophia’s activity is associated with the vision of the ideal and human creativity. Theurgy is an undivided synergetic action of man and divine grace, realized in prayer and historical act, priest or saint. The author of the article emphasizes Bulgakov’s traditional theme of human activity in history, both in his early fascination with Marx, in his interest in N.F. Fedorov’s concept of the “resurrection of the fathers”, and in sophiological eschatology. This, in particular, is connected with Bulgakov’s persistent motif of criticism of false humility, sometimes encountered in Christian culture, the quietist rejection of the world and “nihilistic asceticism”.

Keywords: theology of culture, sophiology, gray magic of science, white magic of art, sophiurgy and theurgy, true and false asceticism, theology.

For citation
Katasonov V.N. Sophiology of Culture by S.N. Bulgakov. Theology: Theory and Practice, 2026, vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 5–19. https://doi.org/10.65324/ttp037