What is negative theology?

Answer

Negative theology, also known as apophatic theology, is a way of contemplating God through negation. It involves studying what God is not rather than what He is. Negative theology posits that the transcendent God is fundamentally unknowable. Due to His complexity and abstract nature, humans cannot fully comprehend Him, and words will always fall short in describing Him accurately. Therefore, making positive statements about Him is deemed impossible. For instance, instead of stating, “God is good,” negative theology would express, “There is no evil in God,” and conclude there. Negative theology seeks to understand God indirectly by eliminating attributes that do not apply to Him. It serves as the complement to positive or cataphatic theology, which focuses on affirming God’s attributes.

Apophasis is also used to explain natural phenomena. For instance, darkness is not a tangible entity—it is best defined as the absence of light (where light is a tangible, measurable entity). In theology, negation is also valuable. Augustine first proposed that evil is “a lack”; in other words, evil represents the absence of good. Similarly, feelings like hatred and apathy are not creations of God; they are voids of love, which is inherent in God’s nature “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”, (1 John 4:8).

When considered independently, negative theology may seem illogical. It has its place, but primarily as a counterbalance to positive theology. The Bible is replete with positive depictions of God. God is good “Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good: Sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant.”, (Psalm 135:3), merciful “Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; Yea, our God is merciful.”, (Psalm 116:5), and the righteous «For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; His countenance doth behold the upright.», (Psalm 11:7). Jesus referred to Himself as “the way, the truth, and the life” «Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. », (John 14:6), and John called Him the life which was the light of men «In him was life; and the life was the light of men. », (John 1:4). Jesus is the embodiment of wisdom, the Word, the One by which everything came to be, and without Him nothing would exist (John 1:1-3).

Negative theology is an interesting philosophy, but as a means of discovering the truth about God, it falls short. A reading of the Bible, which is God’s Word, immediately shows that God is keen on revealing Himself to humanity. Jesus was called “the exact representation” of God’s being «who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; », (Hebrews 1:3). A living, breathing human being, who cried, loved children, ate food, and shed blood (John 11:35;Luke 19:41;Matthew 19:14;John 21:12;Luke 22:44). This does not depict an abstract or unknowable God who can only be described indirectly. The apostle John’s message was grounded on tangible evidence: “That whI was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at, and our hands have touched—this we proclaim” «That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; », (1 John 1:1).

Yes, words have limitations, but God has chosen words to communicate to us about Himself. The Bible is written communication. And, yes, we are limited in our ability to grasp everything about God. There are many things that make us struggle, and many things we must accept by faith «But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. », (Hebrews 11:6). Some things about God are mysterious, but not everything. The Bible contains more than negative theology; it makes many positive statements about God. Along with the Bible, God has given us His Holy Spirit to “make a home” with those who love Him «Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. », (John 14:23). We can know God through the fellowship of His Spirit and through His Word. “‘Who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?’ But we have the mind of Christ” «For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.», (1 Corinthians 2:16).