In a thought-provoking discussion, theologian Janet Williams, an expert in religious studies and author of 'Seeking the God Beyond,' dives into apophatic theology, emphasizing the mysterious nature of God. She explores the challenges of using language to describe the divine, inviting listeners to reflect on the limits of human expression. Williams also discusses the evolution of personal images of God and the importance of embracing divine paradox, encouraging a deeper, more contemplative approach to spirituality that acknowledges both silence and compassion.
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insights INSIGHT
God Exceeds Our Language
God is beyond our words and concepts, which only point to bits of reality, not the source of reality itself.
Approaching God requires acknowledging this limitation and sometimes unsaying what we say about God.
insights INSIGHT
Scripture Embraces Ambiguity
Scripture itself presents multiple, sometimes contradictory portrayals of God and history.
This invites readers to be curious, unsettled, and go beyond words towards deeper understanding.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Apophatic Spirituality Is Dangerous
Historical figures like Margaret Perita and John of the Cross faced persecution over apophatic ideas.
Apophatic spirituality is dangerous because it challenges comfortable images of God and self-identity.
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Seeking the God Beyond, A Beginner's Guide to Christian Apophatic Spirituality
Seeking the God Beyond, A Beginner's Guide to Christian Apophatic Spirituality
Janet Williams
Voyage of the Dawn Treader
C.S. Lewis
In this adventure, Lucy, Edmund, and their cousin Eustace are transported back to Narnia, where they join Prince Caspian on his ship, the Dawn Treader. Their journey takes them to various islands, each with its own unique challenges and wonders. Along the way, they encounter a sea serpent, an island where anything turns to gold, and a mysterious Dark Island. Eustace's transformation into a dragon and his subsequent redemption are pivotal moments in the story. The crew's quest to find the seven lost lords and reach the edge of the world is filled with trials, temptations, and the guidance of the lion Aslan.
Into the Silent Land
Martin Laird
Erin Bennett
The Bible
Various Authors
The Bible is a comprehensive collection of texts that form the central religious text of Christianity and Judaism. It is divided into the Old Testament, which includes books such as Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, and others that narrate the creation of the world, the history of the Israelites, and the prophetic messages. The New Testament focuses on the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, along with the early Christian church and its spread. The Bible contains a wide range of genres, including historical narratives, poetry, wisdom literature, prophetic writings, and epistles[2][3][5].
In this episode of Faith for Normal People, Pete Enns and Anna Sieges Beal talk with theologian Janet Williams about apophatic theology, a tradition that emphasizes the mystery of God by acknowledging the limits of human language and understanding. Janet explores how describing God by what God is not—rather than what God is—can open up a deeper, more expansive experience of the divine.
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The Bible For Normal People 
