The Works of Dionysius the Areopagite (ePub)

Dionysius the Areopagite is a quasi-historical figure whose works have engendered significant debate among scholars regarding their origin and impact on Christian thought. Traditionally, he is associated with the convert of St. Paul, as mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 17:34). However, his corpus, often referred to as 'The Works of Dionysius the Areopagite,' is more widely attributed to an author writing under a pseudonym known as 'Pseudo-Dionysius' in the late 5th to early 6th century AD. These texts have had a profound influence on both Eastern and Western Christian mysticism and theology. The corpus typically includes four treatises-'The Divine Names,' 'The Mystical Theology,' 'The Celestial Hierarchy,' and 'The Ecclesiastical Hierarchy'-and ten letters offering insights into Dionysian spirituality and Neoplatonism. His literary style is marked by a synthesis of Christian theology with Neoplatonic philosophy, particularly through the concept of the via negativa, which emphasizes knowing God by stating what God is not rather than by affirmative descriptions. Despite historical uncertainties around the true authorship, the attribution to Dionysius the Areopagite added considerable weight to the works as they were integrated into the theological frameworks of theologians such as Thomas Aquinas and remained integral to various mystical theologies.