Cataphatic way- the via positiva

Cognitive and Non-Cognitive Sentences

Any picture we make about God is always limited by the use of our language because language is limited. Using the Bible to express the inexpressible. Bible - a continual reference to the way God surpasses human language. We try to find words that enable us to describe the concept of God. Even religious language has apophatic elements, attempting to imagine the unimaginable. Humans have no experience of this reality.

A cognitive sentence = subject to truth/falsity.

Non-cognitive sentences: Cannot be subject to truth/falsity e.g. action, prayer, and some you cannot give evidence they are true/false.

Are Religious Sentences Cognitive?

Dawkins: religious sentences are cognitive and false.

The cataphatic way seeks to affirm what God is, making positive statements about what God is.

Supporters argue that despite limitations to the human language, positive descriptions of God still provide meaningful insights and ways for humans to relate to God.

Teilhard

• If we can talk significantly about God's relationship with material things we are saying something positive, despite being limited.
• Someone can know the love of God through love the experiences
• Can't fully understand love yet we still feel it, use a lot in calendar positive - not just anthropomorphisms.

The Via Positiva

• It is possible to say something positive about God
• Supported include: Aquinas, Maimonides and Anselm
• Even though what we say is limited and not precise, it makes positively inaccurate.
• We are children of God, possible to have some understanding within our limits.
• If we are made to worship God e.g. through speech, it would be positive to say something significant.

Reconciling Via Positiva and Via Negativa

• Eastern Orthodoxy - the aim of human life is Theosis (likeness and unity with God). Mystical contemplation, helps worshippers move toward a greater understanding of God (revelation).
• Rowan Williams: divination about God and the attempt to describe him is from the beginning of faith, but points forth on critical encounter.
• We can reflect on them within our limitations. We can express the mystery we encounter with human attempts to capture something beyond our expressional language.