Thursday, June 02, 2005
"Within Christian thought two large theological traditions exist: kataphatic and apophatic theologies." (>>)
"Within Christian thought two large theological traditions exist: kataphatic and apophatic theologies." (>>)
Comments:
Wow, that was a great write-up.
Yeah. We covered apophatic/kataphatic theology briefly in one of my religious studies classes last semester, but it didn't really go beyond "kataphatic theology defines God by what he is, while apophatic theology defines God by what is is not." It was interesting to read how much more involved it is than that.
What I think is cool about it is how it recognizes the limitations of human wisdom. "Apophaticism maintains that God is infinite and we are finite; and so we are limited in our very minds, tongue and language to be able to grasp or comprehend an infinite being. The root of this is echoed in the second commandment from Sinai. Our categories of thought are inadequate for the elusive wonder of God."
Psalm 131
O Lord, my heart is not lifted up;
my eyes are not raised too high;
I do not occupy myself with things
too great and too marvelous for me.
But I have calmed and quieted my soul,
like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child is my soul within me.
O Israel, hope in the Lord
from this time forth and forevermore.
:-)
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