Luke Corbin

Jorge Luis Borges' short story "The Theologians," originally titled "Los teólogos," was published in 1947 and later included in his 1949 collection "The Aleph." The narrative centers on Aurelian and John of Pannonia, two theologians whose intellectual rivalry manifests as a critique of each other's work.

Their writings focus on heretical groups, notably the Monotoni, who believe history is cyclical, and the Histrioni, who posit that individuals exist in dual earthly and heavenly forms. Aurelian, initially struggling to articulate the heresy, discovers a sentence from John's work that perfectly describes it and is itself heretical. This leads to John's condemnation and execution by burning, while Aurelian later perishes in a fire. The story concludes with a reflection on the metaphorical nature of its events and the possibility that, from a divine perspective, Aurelian and John might be perceived as a single entity.

Beyond its surface examination of morality and heresy, "The Theologians" delves into humanity's internal conflict when questioning fundamental truths and the significance of one's existence. The story employs symbols like the obolus and the mirror to represent emerging divisions in understanding. A quote from Luke 12:59, concerning reconciliation with an adversary until the last obolus is paid, is integrated into the narrative. The story posits that early Christian orthodoxy feared dissenting groups, symbolized by the "Wheel and the Serpent" replacing the "Cross" in mountainous regions. Borges suggests that the battle between established doctrine and heresy is fought through these symbols, which act as gateways to esoteric spiritual truths. The author Henry Corbin's perspective on symbols as essential conduits to the divine is invoked, highlighting how the physical world's symbolism is our primary access to spiritual understanding. The starkness of the material world is initially represented by the "iron scimitar," worshipped by barbarians, a seemingly absurd notion intended to prompt later re-evaluation by the reader.

The core conflict in "The Theologians" revolves around the perception and definition of heresy, ultimately questioning the nature of truth and individual identity. Aurelian's journey from struggling to articulate heresy to inadvertently using a heretical statement from his rival, John of Pannonia, highlights the slippery nature of dogma. The story presents heretical factions like the Monotoni and Histrioni, whose beliefs about cyclical history and dual existence challenge conventional understanding. The dramatic climax, where John is executed for heresy based on Aurelian's discovery, and Aurelian's subsequent death, is framed by a profound contemplation of identity. The narrator suggests that in the eyes of an ultimate divine intelligence, the two theologians might be indistinguishable, blurring the lines between adversary and self, and implying a unified underlying reality.

“history is a circle, and that all things have existed and will exist again”

“no one will be released from prison until he has paid the last obolus”

“In the mountains, the Wheel and the Serpent had displaced the Cross. ...all were afraid....”

“iron scimitar”