Apophatic Way - Religious Language

What does univocal mean"

• The same word is used with different meanings in different contexts e.g. "cricket" (a game or an insect)

• The word has exactly the same meaning in all contexts e.g. "boy"

• Uses positive language to describe the qualities and nature of God

• A statement that is subject to being true or false e.g. “the cat is asleep on the teachers’ chair”

What does equivocal language mean?

• The word has exactly the same meaning at all times e.g. "boy"

• A statement that is subject to being true or false e.g. “the cat is asleep on the teachers’ chair”

• A statement that is not subject to truth or falsity e.g. “hurray” or “ouch” 

• The same word is used with two completely different meanings e.g. "cricket" (a game or an insect)

What is the cataphatic way?

• The only legitimate way to talk about God is to say what he is not

• Uses positive language to describe the qualities and nature of God

The only legitimate way to talk about God is to say what he is not is also known as...

• the cataphatic way

• the apophatic way

• the Via Negativa

• the Via Positiva

Why is the via negativa used to describe God?

• finite humans cannot describe an infinite God

• human concepts and words are useful for understanding God

• it avoids anthropomorphism

• it leaves us with a limited understanding of God

Which apophatic supporter argues that God is beyond assertion?

• Gregory of Nyssa

• Pseudo- Dionysius

• Aquinas

• Moses Maimonides

What example of the via negativa was used by Moses Maimonides?

• Describing a wardrobe

• Describing a house to an alien

• Describing a ship in ten steps by saying what is not

• Describing a mineral by saying what it is

How does Gregory of Nyssa explain the apophatic way?

• entering the mysticism of outer darkness

• there are no words to describe the understanding of God

• it is completely beyond words and images

• all of these

Which of these are not examples of the via negativa?

• God is indescribable

• God is infinite

• ...

• God is just