negative theology

noun

1. a theological approach or tradition in which the nature of God is thought to be unknowable and is only understood through negative statements.

Word History and Origins

Origin of negative theology¹

First recorded in 1810–15

Example Sentences

The collection, which also includes essays on Michel Houellebecq, Cindy Sherman and Kierkegaard, reads less like a book of criticism at times than a work of negative theology, circling the mysteries of artistic creation that cannot be directly articulated: What makes a book or a painting feel alive and relevant?

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Negative theology can serve as a model for scientists and philosophers trying to solve quantum mechanics and another enigma I posed above: How does matter make a mind?

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They and other seekers will probably dismiss negative theology as a model for inquiry, and I understand why.

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I’m especially fond of what is known as negative theology.

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Negative theology assumes that God exists but insists that He/She/It/They transcends human language and concepts.

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