Negative Theology

“An inspiring and inviting tour of this sometimes rather desertic, forbidding theological territory. From its very first epigraph quoting Gregory of Nyssa, the book prodigally pours forth gems of apophatic wisdom. The principal source springs are narrated in coherent order and concise language that renders luminous this all too often impenetrable terrain. A precious compendium of what is most worth retaining from this inexhaustibly rich tradition. To be recommended most highly to the widest readership.”


—William Franke, Vanderbilt University





“This fine book displays a rare combination of breadth, depth, and clarity. Written in a lucid expository style, it covers the origins of the via negativa in Judaic transcendentalism, through the advent of Christian Platonism, the medieval tradition, to modern philosophy and theology. It is unusual to find such a command and intellectual grasp applied to so many different periods and contexts. Serious thinkers, be they philosophers or theologians, will find it indispensable in the future.”


—Raoul Mortley, Bond University, emeritus





“Negative theology is a form of both theology and philosophy that talks about the divine or the first principle of reality by using negations. As such, negative theology has origins in Judaism, Christianity, and ancient philosophy, but has continued to be influential until the present, having an impact on thinkers as diverse as Anselm, Luther, Kierkegaard, and Levinas. Steenbuch’s book is a succinct, responsible, and philosophically sensitive introduction to this way of thinking.”


—George Karamanolis, University of Vienna