LIGHT OF THE WORLD AND LIGHT BEYOND THE WORLD Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite and St. Augustine

Abstract

This study is dedicated to examining the motif of light in the thought of Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite and St. Augustine. In both cases, the motif of light is tied to the fundamental Christian problem of the ineffability of God; the two thinkers offer two very different responses to this problem. In line with his apophatic theology, Areopagite opts for an extremely unusual solution embodied in the formulation of the divine darkness, as a double negation of earthly light. In contrast, St. Augustine argues for the possibility of gradual enlightenment of the soul through knowledge leading up to discernment, but not the vision of the divine inaccessible light.