Talking About God

September 9, 2013

Apophatic Theology
Saying what God isnt:

apophemi = to deny via negativa

Apophatic Theology

Apophatic Theology

St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Homily VI

For of God we speak not all we ought (for that is known to Him only), but so much as the capacity of human nature has received, and so much as our weakness can bear. For we explain not what God is but candidly confess that we have not exact knowledge concerning Him. For in what concerns God to confess our ignorance is the best knowledge.

Apophatic Theology

Apophatic Theology
St. Augustine of Hippo
Are you contemplating what God is like? Everything you imagine, God is not. Everything you put in your thoughts, God is not. But if you wish to savor something of God, then know that God is love, the same love by which we love one another. (Commentary on Psalm 21) If you understood, then this is not God. If you were able to understand, then you understood something else instead of God. If you were able to understand even partially, then you have deceived yourself with your own thoughts. (Sermon LII, chapter VI, 16, PL 38, col. 360)

Cataphatic Theology
What God is:

cata = descend femi = to speak via positiva

Between Two Poles

Wittgenstein Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must be silent. Eliot
There are some things about which nothing can be said and before which we dare not keep silent.

Wrestling With the Tension

Thomas Aquinas

December 6, 1273

Speaking With Metaphors

From the Bible:

king, judge, shepherd, rock, lion, fortress, friend, father, co-worker, potter, wind, breath, vine, light, farmer, old woman, mother hen, bride-groom, fountain, gate, water, bread, fire, holy, faithful, everlasting, almighty, immanent, transcendent, eternal, jealous, righteous, forgiving, merciful, comforting, perfection, compassionate, steadfast, patient, I Am What I Am, Lord (Yahweh/Jehovah), Healer, Provider, Creator, Wisdom, Banner, Justice, Helper, Beloved, Ancient of Days, Hope, Redeemer, Master, Saviour, Advocate, Counsellor, Life

Speaking With Metaphors

From 1 John 7-12: Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. God's love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.

Primary and Secondary Theology

Aidan Kavanagh ...the true primary theologian in the Church is the liturgical assembly in each and everyone of its members; that this priamry theology is festive, ordered, steeped in the arts, canonical, and eschatological; that this primary theology discourse is what produces the body of basic faith preceptions upon which secondary theology is nurtured in its normal and healthy state. Excerpt from, On Liturgical Theology

Primary and Secondary Theology

Citations
Finding God in All Things: A Sacramental Worldview and Its Effects by Michael Himes 2002