Apophatism as the theology of the unknown in the thought of Christos Yannaras
Apophatism as the theology of the unknown in the thought of Christos Yannaras

Summary/Abstract: This article delves into the apophatic theology of Christos Yannaras, exploring the theology of the unknown through the lens of Eastern Christianity, particularly the writings of St. Dionysius the Areopagite. Yannaras distinguishes between apophaticism, which negates definitive knowledge about God, and cataphaticism, which affirms what can be known. He critiques both rationalism and Western theology's attempt to conceptualize the divine, contrasting this with Eastern traditions that focus on personal experience and relational knowledge of God. Yannaras proposes that knowledge of God is an existential experience, emphasizing the personal and communal aspects of faith, rooted in a dynamic, participatory relationship with the divine. His approach integrates theological and philosophical insights, drawing heavily on the works of Heidegger, Lossky, and St. Maximus the Confessor. Apophatism is portrayed not as a path to agnosticism but as a spiritual journey toward union with God, where the unknowable nature of the divine invites a deeper interpersonal communion and participation.

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