Apophaticism, Mysticism, and Epoptics in Ancient and Patristic Philosophy: Some Important Examples

Summary

The article examines mystic apophaticism in Greek Patristic theologians Clement, Origen, Gregory of Nyssa, and Pseudo-Dionysius, showing how their terminology and arguments draw on imperial Platonism and Neoplatonists like Plotinus, Porphyry, and Proclus. It argues these authors employ a double-reference strategy to both pagan and Christian Platonism, and reveals Dionysius' veiled response to Porphyry's accusation against Origen. Dionysius retorts that Greeks misuse godly things to attack God, echoing Origen's own defense.

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Abstract

This article investigates mystic apophaticism in a set of Greek Patristic theologians, profoundly informed by philosophy, especially imperial Platonism: Clement, Origen, Gregory of Nyssa, and Pseudo-Dionysius. Both the terminology and the argumentative structure will be examined in each author and important connections among themselves and with ‘pagan’ Neoplatonists (including Plotinus, Porphyry, and Proclus) will be drawn. The reciprocal interrelations among epoptics, ἔρως and ἀγάπη, epektasis, and ἐπιστροφή and ἀποκατάστασις will be pointed out. The article will argue for the intended double-reference strategy to both ‘pagan’ and Christian Platonism, as well as Dionysius’ veiled response to Porphyry qua accuser of Origen, and the meaning of the charge, levelled against Dionysius himself, of “making unholy use of Greek things”—which is what ‘pagans’ had already charged Origen with. Dionysius retorted, “it is the Greeks who make unholy use of godly things to attack God!”, and this is again what Origen had responded.

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