Dionysius’s Mysticism: Negation and Transcendence

Subject Areas : Christianity

معصومه کبیری طامه ¹ (ندارد)
بهزاد سالکی ² (ندارد)

Received: 2012-07-14 Accepted : 2012-08-08 Published : 2011-09-23

Keywords: Dionysius, Transcendence, Negative Theology, affirmative theology, hierarchy, gnostic, ignorance,

Abstract :

The works of Syrian writer, Dionysius the Areopagite or Athenianconvert (c. 500 C.E.), has exercised influence on the Latin west morethan any other Eastern mystical work. His writings are idiosyncratic,almost in incantatory style, and filled with neologisms. Many scholarsrecognize him as the father of Mystical Theology and believe that hesuccessfully combined the truth of Christian faith with the Neo-Platonic philosophy. Dionysius is a pioneer in expressing views aboutDivine nature, the superiority of Divine nature to negation andaffirmation, absolute transcendence and God’s Unity, God’smanifestation in his creatures, deification and union with God.