Can Apophatic Theology be Applied to Goddessing as Well as to God
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 14949255 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Jacqueline daCosta (corresponding author) |
| Year | 2002 |
| Volume | 11 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 82-98 |
| Publication date | 2002-09-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Feminist Theology (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0966-7350 • E-ISSN: 1745-5189 |
| Publisher | SAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1177/096673500201100109 |
| OpenAlex | W1984705287 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 4 |
There is a device used particularly in Orthodox Christian theology known as apophatic theology. In this God is spoken of only in 'negating concepts' to emphasize the inability of language to adequately describe the nature of deity. My question is whether there is any way in which this concept, used as it is to underline the 'otherness' of a transcendental god, can be applied to a thealogy of Goddess. This'way of negation' figures prominently in mystical theology, where it is often associated with the 'way of union'. Historically, many mystics believed in the possibility of a true union with God achieved through a vision of divine light. This light leads us towards Sophia, or Wisdom, arguably an ancient goddess predating the Jewish Yhwh. Thus theology and thealogy can be reconciled in this concept of light traced back to its pagan beginnings and apophasty can be applied to an 'intransitive' goddess such as Nisaba-Nidaba
Art · Christian theology · Epistemology · Judaism · Linguistics · Literature · Mysticism · Mythical theology · Natural theology · Negation · Theology · Transcendental number · Biblical Studies and Interpretation · Historical, Religious, and Philosophical Studies · Philosophy · Religious Studies and Spiritual Practices
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |