Maximus the Confessor (580-662)

Importance

•          Father of Byzantine theology

•          Dominant figure in the development of Christian doctrine in the East

•          Greek theologian and ascetic writer

•          Last independent thinker among the theologians of the Byzantine church

•          Taught deification–the view that man can become like God

•          Said the purpose of history was the incarnation of the Son and the deification of man

•          Wrote on exegetical and liturgical subjects