Apophatic (Negative) Theology
Knowing God by unsaying everything we think we know of him
Apophatic, or negative, theology approaches God by denying that finite concepts can capture him, seeking to know him through a kind of unknowing. Gregory of Nyssa and Pseudo-Dionysius, in his Mystical Theology, are central voices. Rather than describing God by what he is, this way strips away inadequate images and ideas, leading the mind beyond words into reverent silence before a God who exceeds all comprehension.
How it traveled
- A Treatise of Novatian Concerning the Trinity.Rome · 258explains
- The Life of Constantine with Orations of Constantine and EusebiusCaesarea · 339explains
- The Catechetical Lectures of S. CyrilJerusalem · 386explains
- Select Orations of Saint Gregory NazianzenNazianzus · 390explains
- Answer to Eunomius' Second BookNyssa · 395explains
- Against EunomiusNyssa · 395explains
- On the Holy TrinityHippo Regius · 430explains
- Lectures or Tractates on the Gospel According to St. JohnHippo Regius · 430explains
- Letters of St. AugustinHippo Regius · 430explains
- Two Books of SoliloquiesHippo Regius · 430explains
- The ConfessionsHippo Regius · 430explains
- John of Damascus: Exposition of the Orthodox FaithDamascus · 749explains
- MonologiumCanterbury · 1109explains
- ProslogiumCanterbury · 1109explains
- Treatise on The One God (QQ[2-26])Paris · 1274explains
Key passages(20)
Answer to Eunomius' Second Book · Gregory of Nyssa
Answer to Eunomius' Second Book · Gregory of Nyssa
Discussion: First Part · Martin Luther
Select Orations of Saint Gregory Nazianzen · Gregory of Nazianzus
The Catechetical Lectures of S. Cyril · Cyril of Jerusalem
Answer to Eunomius' Second Book · Gregory of Nyssa
Answer to Eunomius' Second Book · Gregory of Nyssa
John of Damascus: Exposition of the Orthodox Faith · John of Damascus
John of Damascus: Exposition of the Orthodox Faith · John of Damascus
Select Orations of Saint Gregory Nazianzen · Gregory of Nazianzus
The Life of Constantine with Orations of Constantine and Eusebius · Eusebius of Caesarea
Treatise on The One God (QQ[2-26]) · Thomas Aquinas
Lectures or Tractates on the Gospel According to St. John · Augustine of Hippo
A Treatise of Novatian Concerning the Trinity. · Novatian
Select Orations of Saint Gregory Nazianzen · Gregory of Nazianzus
Treatise on The One God (QQ[2-26]) · Thomas Aquinas