Doctrine in a radically apophatic register

Susannah Ticciati

doi:10.1017/S0036930616000016

Doctrine in a radically apophatic register

Susannah Ticciati^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Theology & Religious Studies

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

364 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

This article develops an account of doctrine that seeks to reconceive the nature of doctrinal reference within the context of human transformation. It sets out from Augustine's advice to the preacher of the doctrine of predestination, discovering three layers of doctrinal interpretation, rooted in and geared towards transformation. Augustine's advice is applied generally to suggest that the role of doctrine is to ward off general classification in respect of God, making way for redemptive encounter with God. These insights generate a new perspective on the question of doctrinal reference that rules out both straightforward reference to God and straightforward denial of such reference. The article concludes by suggesting that one way through the resultant linguistic minefield would be to speak of 'hyper-reference' to God, with the intention of evoking the 'more than' of God.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	123-139
Number of pages	17
Journal	SCOTTISH JOURNAL OF THEOLOGY
Volume	69
Issue number	2
Early online date	8 Apr 2016
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1017/S0036930616000016
Publication status	Published - May 2016

Keywords

apophaticism
Augustine
doctrine
predestination
reference
transformation

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10.1017/S0036930616000016

Ticciati plenary paper SST 2014

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AB - This article develops an account of doctrine that seeks to reconceive the nature of doctrinal reference within the context of human transformation. It sets out from Augustine's advice to the preacher of the doctrine of predestination, discovering three layers of doctrinal interpretation, rooted in and geared towards transformation. Augustine's advice is applied generally to suggest that the role of doctrine is to ward off general classification in respect of God, making way for redemptive encounter with God. These insights generate a new perspective on the question of doctrinal reference that rules out both straightforward reference to God and straightforward denial of such reference. The article concludes by suggesting that one way through the resultant linguistic minefield would be to speak of 'hyper-reference' to God, with the intention of evoking the 'more than' of God.

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Doctrine in a radically apophatic register

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