Anthropology

Summary

Theological anthropology examines Christian views of human identity, and in mystical theology it takes three forms. Kataphatic anthropology affirms positive dimensions of human identity, illustrated by Julian of Norwich. Apophatic anthropology holds that the human self, like God, is ultimately beyond definition, referencing Julian, Meister Eckhart, and The Cloud of Unknowing. Liberationist anthropology, emerging in the late twentieth century, draws on Christian mysticism and emphasizes a collective understanding of human identity, along with a socially critical approach to how dominant cultural or political forces shape human existence.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Theological anthropology explores Christian understandings of human identity. In mystical theology, this broadly takes three forms. First, ‘positive’ or kataphatic anthropology focuses on what we may affirm about the various dimensions of human identity. In this chapter, this is illustrated with reference to Julian of Norwich. Second, ‘negative’ or apophatic anthropology emphasizes that the human ‘self’, like the God with whom it is united, is ultimately beyond our capacity to define. Alongside further references to Julian, mention is made of Meister Eckhart and The Cloud of Unknowing. Finally, liberationist anthropology is a dimension of liberation theology which emerged during the last part of the twentieth century. Several exponents such as Segundo Galilea and Gustavo Gutiérrez draw upon Christian mysticism. Liberationist anthropology involves an essentially collective understanding of human identity as well as a socially critical approach to how human existence is shaped by dominant cultural or political forces.