Does The Apophatic Way (Via Negativa) Provide An Effective Method For Theological Discussion?

Question 1

For some people, the apophatic way is best because it’s a way of recognising that we have to go beyond our normal everyday ? and language in order to ? God.

Answer 1

Experiences.

Encounter.

Question 2

Unlike symbolism or ?, the via negativa applies equally well in different ? and in different periods of history.

Answer 2

Analogy.

Cultures.

Question 3

If we speak of God only ?, then it’s still not very easy for the person who has no ? of God to know what we mean.

Answer 3

Negatively.

Experience.

Question 4

Brian Davies points out that ? method of arriving at the “right ?” is unlikely to lead people in the right direction at all.

Answer 4

Maimonides’.

Answer.

Question 5

The via negativa might not work for someone who begins by knowing nothing of ?

Answer 5

God.

Question 6

Anthony Flew argued that if we try to explain God by saying that he’s ?, there’s little difference between our definition of God and our ? of nothingness.

Answer 6

Invisible.

Definition.

Question 7

If it’s believed that holy ? comes from God, this would suggests that, in the right context, it can be appropriate to make ? ? about God.

Answer 7

Scripture.

Positive claims.

Question 8

In the ? ?, Anselm described God in both ? and ? terms as, “that than which nothing ? can be ?”. He doesn’t say that God’s limited to being the greatest thing, but points to a God beyond our imaginations.

Answer 8

Ontological argument.
Negative.
Positive.
Greater.
Conceived.