Mystical Theology Of Christianity Lossky Summary

In the first chapter of The Mystical Theology of the Eastern Church Vladimir Lossky begins speaking of knowledge by comparing gnosticism to Christian knowledge. The clear difference between the two is that gnosticism has its ultimate goal in knowledge while Christianity seeks a union with God and deification wherein knowledge is provided. This union between man and God allows man to be purified and transformed by God in order to experience the revelation of God. It is not a formula or a secret knowledge to be acquired, but rather a deep personal experience based on a relationship that transcends all “knowledge” known to man.
Lossky continues to explain the ways of knowledge by referring to the writings of an unknown author who identified himself with Dionysius who was converted to Christianity upon the preaching of St. Paul. In the author’s writings he focuses on two theological methods or ways to “knowledge”, cataphatic or apophatic. Cataphatic theology has its focus on knowledge by affirmations, again knowledge being the main goal. However, apophatic relies on negations in which man is
united with God and ultimately acknowledges his ignorance. If the goal is knowledge then one supposes that there is an object to understand. To make such a claim about God would be foolish, since God transcends all understanding and isn’t simply an object to be grasped. Therefore, we cannot use this method of affirmative statements if we wish to fully be in union with God.
Instead Lossky focuses on negations and why this concept of apophatic theology isn’t really a concept at all, but rather a mystical experience between man and God. Once man is able to accept the fact that he is truly ignorant of all that is as it relates to God then he begin in his personal relationship with God and allow God to reveal Himself to him. He also answers the question of why negations are important. Negations allow us to realize that any concept or trait we place on God are imperfect since by nature they are limited in our reality. One cannot have God in his fullness be understood by definitions used in our reality. In doing so we will always fall short of being in true union with God. Instead we will be creating false gods and mirrors or shadows of God in an attempt to establish who God is.
Lossky explains that this theological experience is only possible through a purification and joining oneself with God.
The theological tradition of the Church doesn’t allow a separation between theology and mysticism since that would be simply diluting theology to a form of science. A doctrine to be understood and interpreted by man when in reality it is meant to be a living experience that requires the synergy between man and God. He also refers to the great fathers of the Church, St. Basil and St. Gregory of Nyssa. St. Basil affirmed this though of negation since he believed the divine and created essence couldn’t be truly expressed in concepts. Similarly St. Gregory of Nyssa states that every concept relative to God is like a false idol because it is dependent on what is natural to us in our “reality” and not based on what is true in God’s reality which is beyond our
intellect.
Having explained these two ways of knowledge Lossky states that by simply stating that God is unknowable doesn’t prevent us from having a personal relationship with him. While God isn’t something to be grasped we are allowed to be partakers of his divine nature by grace (2 Peter 1:4). This only occurs due to the invitation from God Himself rather than from our own feeble minds attempting to grasp God through concepts of affirmations. Therefore, the ultimate and true goal of Christian theology is apophatic since it seeks unity with God rather than grasping him as an object. Lossky summarizes this point by stating that apophatic theology doesn’t rely on “natural” ways of thought and to form concepts which would usurp the place of spiritual realties. Christianity isn’t simply a philosophy or a doctrine to comprehend but a union with the living God (598).