The Rhythms of the Via Negativa

Abstract

The via negativa is an old-medieval understanding of our knowledge of God. It expresses humility as human cognition attempts to formulate definitive doctrines about God. As such, it moves us to seek spiritual insights and ‘habits of the heart’ which embody true faith and holiness. These revolve around and realise love for all created life, especially but not exclusively human life. The life of Jesus and his transcendence of the sometimes bitter divide between Christians and Jews embodies and sets about for our thinking this recognition and surpassing of difference illustrated in some of our best loved New Testament stories which, if interpreted without love, would mislead us and blind us to many of the sources of human failures and suffering. This paper aims to sketch the basis for a return to that inclusive loving stance.