Positive theology, also known as cataphatic theology, is a theological approach that seeks to understand and describe God through affirmative statements about His attributes, nature, and actions. This method contrasts with negative theology (apophatic theology), which emphasizes what cannot be said about God due to the limitations of human language and understanding. Positive theology plays a crucial role in Christian thought, providing believers with a framework for knowing God based on His self-revelation in Scripture.
Biblical Foundations of Positive Theology
The Bible is filled with affirmative statements about God’s character, actions, and relationship with His creation. Positive theology draws directly from these scriptural affirmations to form a coherent understanding of who God is and how He interacts with the world.
God’s Self-Revelation
One of the foundational aspects of positive theology is the belief that God has revealed Himself to humanity in ways that are true, reliable, and accessible. This revelation is found in various forms, including the created world, the Scriptures, and supremely in the person of Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 1:1-2 (NIV):
“In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.”
This passage highlights the importance of God’s self-revelation, particularly through His Son, Jesus Christ, who is the fullest expression of God’s nature and will.
Affirmative Statements About God’s Nature
The Bible provides numerous affirmative statements about God’s attributes, which are foundational to positive theology. These attributes include:
- God’s Love:
1 John 4:8 (NIV): “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
- God’s Holiness:
Isaiah 6:3 (NIV): “And they were calling to one another: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.’”
- God’s Omniscience:
Psalm 139:1-4 (NIV): “You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely.”
- God’s Omnipotence:
Jeremiah 32:17 (NIV): “Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.”
- God’s Justice:
Psalm 9:7-8 (NIV): “The Lord reigns forever; he has established his throne for judgment. He rules the world in righteousness and judges the peoples with equity.”
These attributes provide a clear and affirmative understanding of who God is, shaping the believer’s relationship with Him and informing their worship, prayer, and ethical behavior.
The Role of Jesus Christ in Positive Theology
Positive theology places significant emphasis on Jesus Christ as the ultimate revelation of God. In the person of Jesus, the nature and character of God are made visible and accessible to humanity.
Jesus as the Image of the Invisible God
The New Testament affirms that Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God, meaning that through Him, believers can know and understand God more fully.
Colossians 1:15 (NIV):
“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.”
This verse emphasizes that in Jesus, the invisible and transcendent God has made Himself known in a tangible way. Jesus’ life, teachings, death, and resurrection reveal the heart of God’s character, including His love, mercy, justice, and power.
The Incarnation as Revelation
The doctrine of the Incarnation, which teaches that God became human in the person of Jesus Christ, is central to positive theology. Through the Incarnation, God has entered into human history in a unique and personal way, providing a clear and concrete revelation of His nature and will.
John 1:14 (NIV):
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
This passage underscores the idea that in Jesus, the fullness of God’s glory is revealed, allowing humanity to know God in a direct and personal way.
Theological Implications of Positive Theology
Positive theology has several important implications for how believers understand and relate to God.
Knowing God Through His Attributes
Positive theology teaches that God’s attributes, as revealed in Scripture, are knowable and provide a foundation for understanding His nature. Believers are encouraged to study and reflect on these attributes as a means of deepening their relationship with God.
For example, knowing that God is loving, just, and omnipotent provides a basis for trusting Him in all circumstances, recognizing that His actions are motivated by love, guided by justice, and backed by His infinite power.
Affirming God’s Actions in History
Positive theology also involves affirming God’s actions throughout history, as recorded in the Bible. These actions include creation, covenant-making, acts of deliverance (such as the Exodus), and the redemptive work of Christ. By affirming these actions, believers acknowledge God’s active involvement in the world and His ongoing commitment to His people.
Exodus 34:6-7 (NIV):
“And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, ‘The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.’”
This passage from Exodus affirms God’s character as compassionate, loving, and just, based on His actions and self-revelation.
Worship and Praise
Positive theology naturally leads to worship and praise, as believers respond to the revealed attributes and actions of God. The Psalms, for example, are filled with affirmations of God’s greatness, goodness, and faithfulness, which inspire worship.
Psalm 145:3 (NIV):
“Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.”
Worship in the context of positive theology involves acknowledging and celebrating who God is, based on the truths revealed in Scripture.
Ethical and Moral Guidance
Positive theology also provides ethical and moral guidance by revealing God’s standards for human behavior. The attributes of God, such as His holiness and justice, set a pattern for how believers are to live.
1 Peter 1:15-16 (NIV):
“But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’”
This call to holiness is based on the positive affirmation of God’s holiness, which serves as a model for the ethical conduct of His people.
Balancing Positive and Negative Theology
While positive theology is essential for understanding God, it is often balanced with negative theology, which emphasizes the limits of human understanding and the ineffability of God. Together, these approaches provide a more complete view of God’s nature.
The Limits of Positive Theology
While positive theology provides a valuable framework for understanding God, it also recognizes that human language and concepts are ultimately limited in fully capturing the divine essence. This acknowledgment of limitation leads to humility in theological reflection and an appreciation for the mystery of God.
The Role of Mystery in Theology
Even as believers affirm what can be known about God, positive theology encourages a sense of reverence for the aspects of God’s nature that remain beyond human comprehension. This balance between affirmation and mystery deepens the spiritual life, fostering both knowledge and awe.
Conclusion
Positive theology is a vital approach in Christian thought, focusing on what can be affirmed about God based on His self-revelation in Scripture. It provides a framework for knowing and relating to God, emphasizing His attributes, actions, and the ultimate revelation of His nature in Jesus Christ.
Through positive theology, believers are encouraged to engage with the truths of Scripture, deepen their understanding of God’s character, and respond in worship, trust, and ethical living. While it acknowledges the limitations of human language, positive theology offers a rich and meaningful way to explore the greatness and goodness of God, inspiring a life of faith and devotion.