Corpus Dionysiacum I

The Works of Dionysius the Areopagite

Aeterna Press

2014

Acts 17:34

The Divine Names

Caput I

Section I

Only it alone 

gives an authoritative

account of itself. 

It is the syntactical

measure of all things measured. 

Section II

Trying to apply 

The Divine Names and notions 

to God is nonsense.  

All that we can do is use 

theological grammar. 

Section III

What is beyond thought 

and beyond being is the 

Source of every source.  

To those far away it calls 

them back to begin again.  

Section IV

The diversity 

of what we are leads us to 

divine unity.  

This explains the energy 

of our own fecundity.  

Section V

It encompasses, 

circumscribes, and embraces 

each and everything.  

It also so eludes the 

grasp of each and everyone.  

Section VI

We praise the nameless 

by every name, knowing the

inner irony. 

Since it is so wonderful,

why do we seek to speak it? 

Section VII

The unnamed goodness 

causes all and contains all 

things within itself.  

This is why it transcends all 

and is named by all that is. 

Section VIII

Hierarchical 

law leads as we study the 

conceptual names.  

The uninitiated 

remain in their lawlessness. 

Caput II

Section I

Through perversity 

one denies that the grammar

shows the Deity.  

When it comes to scripture, it 

is all and nothing at all.

Section II

When we watch over 

the scriptures, we are also 

watched over by them.  

By guarding them, we will be 

guarded and grounded in them.

Section III

The unified names

are trinitarian in

their formal essence. 

All the transcendental terms
terminate in the Godhead. 

Section IV

Divine unity

and differentiation

must be understood. 

The total union of lights

does not contain confusion. 

Section V

Theology deals

with what is beyond being,

life, wisdom, and gifts. 

Circles and seals are only

constructive comparisons. 

Section VI

The prime example 

of differentiation 

is the human Word.  

The Father and the Spirit 

simply do not share in it.  

Section VII

We are at a loss 

concerning the flowering 

of the transcendent.  

We can neither represent, 

let alone scent, its bouquet.  

Section VIII

The divine Spirit
is located beyond all 

divinization. 

Fire which warms and burns is
never warmed and never burnt. 

Section IX

The incarnation

cannot be grasped by the mind,

nor enclosed in words.

Those who are "sympathetic"

with such matters remain mute. 

Section X

Our Lord's Deity

embraces both part and whole

inside of Itself. 

It's the one and the many

(if any) of everything.