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

The article examines mystic apophaticism in Greek Patristic theologians Clement, Origen, Gregory of Nyssa, and Pseudo-Dionysius, showing how their thought was shaped by imperial Platonism. It traces the terminology and argumentative structure in each author and draws connections with pagan Neoplatonists like Plotinus, Porphyry, and Proclus. The reciprocal interrelations among epoptics, eros and agape, epektasis, epistrophe, and apokatastasis are highlighted. The article argues for a deliberate double-reference strategy to both pagan and Christian Platonism, and interprets Dionysius' veiled response to Porphyry's accusation of Origen. Dionysius retorted that it is Greeks who unholy use godly things against 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.