Listening out for God’s Breath – a Negative Hermeneutical Approach to Mysticism
Interdisciplinary Journal for Religion and Transformation in Contemporary Society September 1, 2023 DOI: 10.30965/23642807-bja10085 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Mysticism |
| Keywords | Hermeneutics Faith Negation Negativity effect Epistemology Active listening Theology Linguistics |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key points | Argues that a negative hermeneutics, centered on the 'travail of the negative,' is a suitable lens for studying mysticism and contributes to theological discourse by emphasizing negation. |
Abstract
Abstract This essay argues that a negative hermeneutics, i.e., a hermeneutics that takes its starting point from the experience of gaps, failures, and limits, is a suitable lens for the study of mysticism. It uses the concept of travail of the negative, which focuses on dynamics of a continuous ‘unsaying’ and ‘subverting’ of traditional expressions of faith and religious practice, to explore the connection between aspects of practical and theoretical negativity in mystical expressions. It suggests that this approach to mystical theology makes an important contribution to the wider theological discourse and encourages theology to take the fundamental character of negation seriously.