What is the difference between Apophatic and Kataphatic?
Abstract: Catholicism distinguishes between two different approaches to spirituality. Apophatic, or “neg tive” spirituality stresses interiority, “imageless-ness” and “wordlessness.” Kataphatic, or “positive” spiritual ity is image-driven and uses analogies to speak of God.
What does the word Cataphatic mean?
Cataphatic theology or kataphatic theology is theology that uses “positive” terminology to describe or refer to the divine – specifically, God – i.e. terminology that describes or refers to what the divine is believed to be, in contrast to the “negative” terminology used in apophatic theology to indicate what it is …
What is the way of negation?
Via negativa or via negationis (Latin), ‘negative way’ or ‘by way of denial’. The apophatic or negative way stresses God’s absolute transcendence and unknowability in such a way that we cannot say anything about the divine essence because God is so totally beyond being.
What is the relationship between Apophatic and Kataphatic approach to spiritual life?
What is the opposite of Apophatic?
adjective. Theology. (of knowledge of God) obtained through affirmation. The opposite of apophatic. ‘That, I think, is the point of those who hold that apophatic theology (negative theology) and cataphatic theology (positive theology) are really two sides of a single coin.
What is the Via Positiva?
The Via Positive (also known as the cataphatic way) is the argument that it is possible to make positive statements about God. This view, most notably supported by Aquinas argues that while human language may not be accurate, it can be indicative of the qualities of God.
Who wrote The Cloud of Unknowing?
The Cloud of Unknowing (Middle English: The Cloude of Unknowyng) is an anonymous work of Christian mysticism written in Middle English in the latter half of the 14th century….The Cloud of Unknowing.
| Author | Anonymous |
|---|---|
| Genre | Christian mysticism |
| Publication date | Late 14th century |
| Followed by | The Book of Privy Counseling |
What is attribution analogy?
Analogy of attribution refers to the concept of derivation, meaning that the qualities and attributes denoted to one another or other things are reflections of God’s qualities and attributes. For example, Davies uses the analogy of bread.
Is the kataphatic way the only way to know God?
In the Eastern Orthodox Church kataphatic theology can lead to some knowledge of God but in imperfect way. The perfect way and the only way which is fitting in regard of God is the Apophatic way, as the Kataphatic way has as its object that which exist, but God is beyond all existing.
What is the difference between cataphatic and apophatic theology?
Cataphatic theology or kataphatic theology is theology that uses ” positive ” terminology to describe or refer to the divine – specifically, God – i.e. terminology that describes or refers to what the divine is believed to be, in contrast to the “negative” terminology used in apophatic theology to indicate what it is believed the divine is not.
Where does the word cataphatic come from in Greek?
Etymology “Cataphatic” comes from the Greek word κατάφασις kataphasis meaning “affirmation,” coming from κατά kata (an intensifier) and φάναι phanai (“to speak”).