Opposition Is True Friendship: C.G Jung, Ibn ‘Arabi & the Answer to Job
Andrew Burniston
Qeios April 4, 2024 DOI: 10.32388/tccm29 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Opposition politics Friendship Law |
| Key points | Argues that Jung's psychological theology, especially his "Answer to Job," can be reinterpreted through Ibn 'Arabi's framework of the Divine Names to reveal paradoxes in divine attributes and human perception of God. |
Abstract
This essay examines the intriguing connections between Carl G. Jung, the Sufi mystic Ibn ‘Arabi, and Jung’s engagement with the Biblical “Answer to Job,” bridging vast cultural and temporal gaps. It explores Jung’s transformative dialogue with Pueblo spirituality and his introspective challenges with Islamic concepts of divine submission, culminating in an analysis of “Answer to Job” through the lens of Ibn ‘Arabi’s Divine Names. The discussion highlights the paradoxes within divine attributes and the human perception of God, offering a unique interpretation of Jung’s confrontation with the God image. By integrating Jung’s psychological insights with Sufi mysticism, the manuscript provides a nuanced perspective on divine justice, mercy, and the quest for spiritual understanding. Keywords: Carl Jung, Ibn ‘Arabi, Answer to Job, Psychological theology, Sufi mysticism.