PhilokaliaKnowledge Map

Theology & Dogma

Apophatic Theology

Apophatic Theology, by Unknown author, before 1911
Жития Святых (1903 1911) икона 02031 Дионисий Unknown author, before 1911 Public domain

The approach of knowing God by negation: affirming what God is NOT, since God transcends all human concepts and language. God is not merely 'good' or 'being' in any way we can comprehend. Complemented by cataphatic (positive) theology. Central to Orthodox mystical tradition.

Sources

  • Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite, Mystical Theology CCEL
  • St. Gregory of Nyssa, Life of Moses archive.org
  • Vladimir Lossky, The Mystical Theology of the Eastern Church archive.org

Connections

Find on the map