Professor Henny Fiskå Hägg explores Clement of Alexandria's apophatic theory and writing-practice, discussing the challenges of describing God when words are insufficient. The podcast delves into Clement's use of alpha privatives and Middle Platonist influence, his emphasis on apophatic theology, and the concept of esotericism in Christianity. It also examines research theology and the different approaches to attaining knowledge of God, as well as the impact of Clement's ideas throughout history.
Clement of Alexandria emphasizes the unknowable nature of God and the challenge of expressing the ineffable.
Clement utilizes alpha privatives and various linguistic methods to communicate the limitations of language in expressing the divine.
Deep dives
Overview of Apophasis
Apophasis is the recognition that language is inadequate to express certain aspects of reality. It is not limited to theology, but in the context of Clement of Alexandria, apophasis focuses on the question of how man can know God. Clement emphasizes that God is unknowable in his essence, leading to the denial of man's ability to fully comprehend God. Apophasis is the acknowledgment that language falls short in expressing the divine.
Examples of Apophatic Statements by Clement
Clement provides numerous examples of apophatic statements. For instance, he states that God is above all speech, conception, and thought, emphasizing the dilemma of wanting to describe God while recognizing the inadequacy of words. Clement also points out the tension between giving God names, which is a human tendency, and understanding that our words cannot truly capture the divine nature. These statements highlight the challenge of expressing the ineffable nature of God.
Clement's Use of Alpha Privatives
In Clement's writings, he frequently utilizes alpha privatives, adjectives in Greek that negate a positive attribute. For example, he refers to God as invisible, uncontained, and incomprehensible. These words emphasize the limitations of human understanding, while also reflecting the influence of Middle Platonic thought, which emphasized the unknowable aspects of the divine.
Language and Ineffability in Clement's Theology
While Clement does not present a comprehensive theory of language, he recognizes the inadequacy of language to express the divine. He employs various methods, such as paradox, parables, and symbols, to communicate aspects of the ineffable. Clement's nuanced approach to language acknowledges its limitations, while also considering the pedagogical aspects of his teachings. His use of language aims to convey deeper truths that go beyond the explicit words used.
We speak with Professor Henny Fiskå Hägg about the apophatic theory and writing-practice of Clement of Alexandria, one of antiquity's finest exponents of the art of writing about that-about-which-nothing-can-be-written.
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