Page "Apocatastasis" Paragraph 16

According to Edward Moore of St. Elias School of Orthodox Theology, Nebraska, Apokatastasis was first properly conceptualized in early Stoic thought, particularly by Chrysippus whose thinking was influenced by the theory of recurrence and cosmic cycles in Babylonian astronomical thought.

The return ( apokatastasis ) of the planets and stars to their proper celestial signs, namely their original positions, would spark a conflagration of the universe ( ekpyrosis ).

The original position was believed to consist of an alignment of celestial bodies with Cancer.

Thereafter, from fire, rebirth would commence, and this cycle of alternate destruction and recreation was correlated with a divine Logos.

Antapocatastasis is a counter-recurrence when the stars and planets align with Capricorn, which would mark destruction by a universal flood.

Origen of Alexandria correlated the Stoic's concept of the rebirth and reconstruction of the cosmos with the active guidance and sustenance of the Logos, which is taken to be an emanation of Zeus, when Zeus turns his thoughts outwards once more.

In Origen's understanding, in Stoic philosophy, the cosmos is a physical expression of Zeus ' perfect thoughts and apocatastasis is the contraction when Zeus returns to self-contemplation.

Leibniz explored both Stoic and his understanding of Origen's philosophy in two essays written shortly before his death, Apokatastasis and Apokatastasis panton ( 1715 ).