In some postmodern philosophy and theology, the view of God has returned to the centre of the discussion. God is seen as a living reality beyond human conception. Some of the contemporary philosophers even relate to the negative or apofatic theology. They often do this as a contrast to the positive theology. The view of God in postmodern theology and philosophy is beyond our rational knowledge. The aim to make God more understandable through rational argument and concept has been criticized by the postmodern thinkers.
Because of this development, I have found it relevant to compare the view of God in the apofatic theology of the Eastern Orthodox Church and postmodern philosophy and theology.
The second chapter of this essay is a concentration of the postmodern discussion. I give a short introduction to postmodern philosophy. Then, as a limited selection, I have chosen three contemporary theologians/philosophers. They are David Tracy, Jean-Luc Marion and Gianni Vattimo. In their thinking you can find references, both to traditional Christian theology and mystical apofatic theology. Theology and philosophy is no longer limited to their own narrow context. Postmodern thinking is open towards a wider variation of language and praxis. Worship, poetry, and prayers as well as the personal experience are important for a fuller understanding of the religious phenomena and the view of God.
In chapter 3, I sketch a background for some aspects of the Eastern Orthodox Theology. After that, I move to a more specific task, to describe the view of God in the apofatic theology. I use the literature of two modern Orthodox theologians, Vladimir Lossky and Dimitru Staniloae. When it comes to the mystical aspects of the theology I use some texts of Dionysios Areopagita.
In chapter 4, I move on to a discussion to see what combines and to point out some very important differences.
In the conclusion I argue that there are some great similarities between these two traditions. The Postmodern thinkers have a great respect for the apofatic theology. The incarnation of Christ plays a fundamental part in their thinking. But they don't want to add more of positive theological substance; our time is not ready for more formulations about God.
The apofatic theology has the mystical union as a center of theology. This is not seen as an alternative to the positive theology but a complement. There is a misconception that apofatic theology only contains negative theology and thereby is an alternative to the traditional, dogmatic theological system. Apofatic theology is part of the Eastern Orthodox Church and theology. The apofatic theology is not an individual search for meaning or radical alternative to traditional theology. The focus is the spiritual development, the divinization of all mankind and the whole creation.
One conclusion is that individualistic search and liberated free thinking and language can learn from...
