Apophatic Theology of God’s Incomprehensible Trinitarianism as Seen by Vladimir N. Lossky

Michał Płóciennik

doi:10.21697/ct.2025.95.1.03

Published: 2025-02-14

Vol. 95 No. 1 (2025)

Apophatic Theology of God’s Incomprehensible Trinitarianism as Seen by Vladimir N. Lossky

Michał Płóciennik

Collectanea Theologica

Section: Articles

https://doi.org/10.21697/ct.2025.95.1.03

Abstract

The purpose of this text is to present the apophatic struggle with the incomprehensible mystery of God’s trinitarianism by one of the most eminent Orthodox theologians of the 20th century, and a radical defender of the apophatic nature of Christian theology, Vladimir N. Lossky. It consists of six sections. The subject of the first will be the original facticity, the givenness of the Trinity. The second will examine the question of the monarchy of the Father as the Source of the Trinity. This will be followed by a look at the issue of the relationship between the Divine Persons and Trinitarian distinctions. The fourth section will look at the aporia Filioque and its significance in understanding the being of God and the influence it has played in the division of Christianity. The fifth section will attempt a critical dialogue with the presented aspects of Lossky’s thought in the key of the hermeneutics of theological differences between the East and the West – this key will constitute the content of the sixth chapter-supplement. In conclusion, it will be articulated the contemplative and deifying character of apophatic theology, which aims at the unknowable and supra-conceptual, incomprehensible Trinity.

Keywords:

Vladimir N. Lossky, Trinity, Filioque, apophaticism, Orthodoxy, Trinitology

Most read articles by the same author(s)

Michał Płóciennik, Intratrinitarity of God as the Revealed Hermeneutic Key of Christian Thruthfulness Anthropology , Collectanea Theologica: Vol. 91 No. 4 (2021)
Michał Płóciennik, The Theopoietic-Apophatic Character of Theology as Seen by Vladimir N. Lossky , Collectanea Theologica: Vol. 93 No. 1 (2023)

Download files

PDF

Citation rules

Płóciennik, M. (2025). Apophatic Theology of God’s Incomprehensible Trinitarianism as Seen by Vladimir N. Lossky. Collectanea Theologica, 95(1), 69–109. https://doi.org/10.21697/ct.2025.95.1.03

Cited by / Share

Licence

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

References

Athanasius Alexandrinus, Contra Arianos, Oratio (Athanasius Alexandrinus). 1857. “Orationes adversus Arianos.” In Patrologiae cursus completus, series graeca, edited by Jacques-Paul Migne, 26:12–526. Paris: Migne.
Google Scholar

Aurelius Augustinus, De Trinitate (Aurelius Augustinus). 1841. “De Trinitate Libri XV,” In Patrologiae cursus completus, series latina, edited by Jacques-Paul Migne, 42:819–1098. Paris: Migne. Polish translation: Św. Augustyn. 1962. O Trójcy Świętej. Edited by Jan M. Szymusiak. Translated by Maria Stokowska. Pisma Ojców Kościoła 25. Poznań: Księgarnia św. Wojciecha.
Google Scholar

Balthasar, Hans Urs von. 1985–87. Theologik. 3 vols. Einsiedeln: Johannes Verlag.
Google Scholar

Bolewski, Jacek. 1999. “Początek w Ojcu. Hierarchiczna jedność i komunia.” In Wokół Tajemnicy Boga Ojca: materiały seminarium wykładowców dogmatyki, Radom 20–22.09.1999, edited by Andrzej Czaja, 87–114. Opole: Wydział Teologiczny Uniwersytetu Opolskiego.
Google Scholar

Chipitsyn, Michail. 2019. Neo-Patristic Apophatic Theology of Vladimir Lossky in Application to the Trinity Doctrine. Supervisor B. K. Holm. Aarhus University: Arts. Accessed August 10, 2024. https://www.academia.edu/40125369/Neo_Patristic_Apophatic_Theology_of_Vladimir_Lossky_in_Application_to_the_Trinity_Doctrine.
Google Scholar

Congar, Yves. 1983. I believe in the Holy Spirit. 3 vols. Translated by David Smith. New York: The Seabury Press; London: Geoffrey Chapman.
Google Scholar

Corbon, Jean, and Albert Vanhoye. 1970. “Connaître.” In Vocabulaire de théologie biblique, edited by Xavier Léon-Dufour, 199–204. Paris: Les Éditions du Cerf.
Google Scholar

Demacpoulos, George E., and Aristotle Papanikolau, eds. 2020. Orthodox Readings of Augustine. New York: Fordham University Press.
Google Scholar

Denzinger, Henri. 1995. The Sources of the Catholic Dogma. Translated by Roy J. Deferrari, from the Thirtieth Edition of Henry Denzinger’s Enchiridion Symbolorum. Fitzwilliam: Loreto Publications.
Google Scholar

Durrwell, François-Xavier. 1987. Le Père, Dieu en son mystère. Paris: Cerf.
Google Scholar

Emery, Gilles. 1998. “Essentialisme ou personnalisme dans le traité de Dieu chez saint Thomas d’Aquin?” Revue Thomiste 98 (1): 5–38.
Google Scholar

Essen, Georg. 2001. Die Freiheit Jesu. Die neuchalkedonische Enhypostasiebegriff im Horizont neuzeitlicher Subjekt – und Personphilosophie. Ratio Fidei 5. Regensburg: Friedrich Pustet Verlag.
Google Scholar

Evdokimov, Paul. 1969. L’Esprit Saint dans la tradition orthodoxe. Paris: Cerf.
Google Scholar

Felmy, Karl Christian. 1990. Die Orthodoxe Theologie der Gegenwart: eine Einführung Darmstadt: Wissenschaftliche Buchgesellschaft.
Google Scholar

Gapińska, Anna. 2019. “Trójca Święta w refleksji teologicznej Włodzimierza Łosskiego.” Elpis 21:35–39. https://doi.org/10.15290/elpis.2019.21.05.
Google Scholar

Granat, Wincenty. 1962. Bóg Jeden w Trójcy Osób. Vol. 1 of Dogmatyka katolicka. Lublin: Towarzystwo Naukowe Katolickiego Uniwersytetu Lubelskiego.
Google Scholar

Gregorius Nazianzenus, Oratio (Gregorius Nazianzenus). 1857. “Orationes I–XXVI.” In Patrologiae cursus completus, series graeca, edited by Jacques-Paul Migne, 35:395–1252. Paris: Migne.
Google Scholar

Gregorius Nazianzenus, Oratio (Gregorius Nazianzenus). 1859. “Orationes XXVII–XLV.” In Patrologiae cursus completus, series graeca, edited by Jacques-Paul Migne, 36:9–664. Paris: Migne.
Google Scholar

Greshake, Gisbert. 2007. Der dreieine Gott. Eine trinitarische Theologie. Freiburg in Breisgau: Herder Verlag.
Google Scholar

Humbrecht, Thierry-Dominique. 1993–94. “La théologie négativ chez saint Thomas d’Aquin.” Pts. 1 and 2. Revue Thomiste 93 (4): 535–66; 94 (1): 71–99.
Google Scholar

Ioannes Damascenus, De fide orthodoxa (Ioannes Damascenus). 1858. “De fide orthodoxa.” In Patrologiae cursus completus, series graeca, edited by Jacques-Paul Migne, 94:789–1228. Paris: Migne. Polish translation: Jan Damasceński. 1969. Wykład wiary prawdziwej. Translated by Bronisław Wojkowski. Warszawa: Instytut Wydawniczy Pax.
Google Scholar

Kupiec, Kazimierz. 1985. “Pneumatologicznie ukierunkowana chrystologia Vladimira Lossky’ego.” Analecta Cracoviensia 27:267–81. https://doi.org/10.15633/acr.3234.
Google Scholar

Laats, Alar. 1999. Doctrines of the Trinity in the Eastern and Western theologies: a study with special reference to K. Barth and V. Lossky. Frankfurt: Peter Lang.
Google Scholar

Liszka, Piotr. 2003. “Pochodzenie Ducha Świętego według Tradycji wschodniej.” Wrocławski Przegląd Teologiczny 11 (1): 89–115.
Google Scholar

Lossky, Vladimir. 1954. “Les éléments de „théologie négative” dans la pensée de saint Augustin.” In Augustinus Magister. Congrès international augustinien, Paris, 21–24 septembre 1954, 575–581. Paris: Études Augustiniennes.
Google Scholar

Lossky, Vladimir. 1974a. “Apophasis and Trinitarian Theology.” In In the Image and Likeness of God, edited by John H. Erickson and Thomas E. Bird, 13–29. New York: St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press.
Google Scholar

Lossky, Vladimir. 1974b. “The Procession of the Holy Spirit.” In In the Image and Likeness of God, edited by John H. Erickson and Thomas E. Bird, 71–96. New York: St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press.
Google Scholar

Lossky, Vladimir. 1974c. “The Theological Notion of the Human Person.” In In the Image and Likeness of God, edited by John H. Erickson and Thomas E. Bird, 111–23. New York: St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press.
Google Scholar

Lossky, Vladimir. 1976. The Mystical Theology of Eastern Church. Crestwood, NY: St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press.
Google Scholar

Lossky, Vladimir. 1978. Orthodox Theology. An Introduction. Translated by Ian and Ihita Kesarcodi-Watson. Crestwood, NY: St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press.
Google Scholar

Lossky, Vladimir. 1983. The Vision of God. Translated by Asheleigh Moorhouse. New York: St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press.
Google Scholar

Manikowski, Maciej. 2018. Relacja i dialog. Wprowadzenie do ontologii trynitarnej. Wrocław: Wydawnictwo Chronicon.
Google Scholar

Maximus Confessor, Scholia in librum de Divinis Nominibus (Maximus Confessor). 1857. “Scholia in librum. de Divinis Nominibus.” In Patrologiae cursus completus, series graeca, edited by Jacques-Paul Migne, 4:185–416. Paris: Migne.
Google Scholar

Mühlen, Heribert. 1963. Der Heilige Geist als Person. Beitrag zur Frage nach der dem Heiligen Geiste eigentümlichen Funktion in der Trinität, bei der Inkarnation und im Gnadenbund. Münsterische Beiträge zur Theologie, Heft 26. Münster: Aschendorff Verlag.
Google Scholar

Nikolski, Piotr. 2006. Św. Jan od Krzyża wobec prawosławnej tradycji ascetycznej. Poznań: Flos Carmeli.
Google Scholar

Obolevitch, Teresa. 2014. Filozofia rosyjskiego renesansu patrystycznego: o. Gieorgij Fłorowski, Włodzimierz Łosski i inni. Kraków: Copernicus Center Press.
Google Scholar

Paprocki, Henryk. 2001. Obietnica Ojca. Doświadczenie Ducha Świętego w Kościele Prawosławnym. Bydgoszcz: Wydawnictwo Homini.
Google Scholar

Paprocki, Henryk. 2010. Augustyn w teologii prawosławnej. Published March 19, 2010. Accessed February 6, 2024. http://www.liturgia.cerkiew.pl/texty.php?id_n=36&id=114.
Google Scholar

Piotrowski, Eligiusz. 2007. “Traktat o Trójcy Świętej.” In Traktat o Trójcy Świętej. Traktat o Duchu Świętym i łasce, by Eligiusz Piotrowski and Zdzisław J. Kijas, edited by Elżbieta Adamiak, Andrzej Czaja, and Józef Majewski, 15–319. Dogmatyka 4. Warszawa: Biblioteka “Więzi.”
Google Scholar

Piórczyński, Józef. 1999. Wolność człowieka i Bóg. Studium filozofii F.W.J. Schellinga. Warszawa: Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN.
Google Scholar

Płóciennik, Michał. 2023a. “Teopoietyczno-apofatyczny charakter teologii w ujęciu Włodzimierza N. Łosskiego.” Collectanea Theologica 93 (1): 115–61. https://doi.org/10.21697/ct.2023.93.1.06.
Google Scholar

Płóciennik, Michał. 2023b. “The Source Antinomy of the Mystery of the Trinity as the Foundation and Hermeneutical Key of Christian Apophaticism in the View of Vladimir N. Lossky.” Verbum Vitae 41 (3): 713–34. https://doi.org/10.31743/vv.16305.
Google Scholar

Płóciennik, Michał. 2023c. “Aphophatic Character of Christian Creatology According to Vladimir N. Lossky.” Rocznik Teologii Katolickiej 13:48–63. https://doi.org/10.15290/rtk.2023.22.04.
Google Scholar

Płóciennik, Michał. 2023d. “Personalistyczno-historyczny charakter Objawienia Bożego w myśli Włodzimierza N. Łosskiego.” Rocznik Teologiczny 3:569–99. https://doi.org/10.36124/rt.2023.22.
Google Scholar

Przanowski, Mateusz. 2004. “O trudnościach łacińskiej teologii trynitarnej. Odpowiedź na artykuł Piotra Sikory.” Teofil 2 (20): 55–62.
Google Scholar

Rahner, Karl. 1958. “‘Theos’ im Neuen Testament.” In Schriften zur Theologie, vol. 1, 91–107. Einsiedeln: Benzinger Verlag.
Google Scholar

Rahner, Karl. 1967. “Der dreifaltige Gott als transzentender Urgrund Heilsgeschichte.” In Mysterium Salutis. Grundriss einer Heilsgeschichtlichen Dogmatik, vol. 2, edited by Johannes Feiner and Magnus Löhrer, 317–401. Einsiedeln: Benzinger Verlag.
Google Scholar

Ratzinger, Joseph. 1974. “Der Heilige Geist als Communio. Zum Verhältnis von Pneumatologie und Spiritualität bei Augustinus.” In Erfahrung Und Theologie des Heiligen Geistes, edited by Claus Heitmann and Heribert Mühlen, 223–38. Hamburg: Kösel Verlag.
Google Scholar

Régnon, Theodore de. 1892–98. Études de théologie positive sur la Sainte Trinité. 3 vols. Paris: Victor Retaux et Fils.
Google Scholar

Rose, Fr. Seraphim. 2007. The place of Blessed Augustine in the Orthodox Church. Orthodox Theological Texts. Platina: St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood.
Google Scholar

Schelling, Friedrich W. J. 2002. Weltalter-Fragmente. Edited by Klaus Grotsch. Schellingiana 13.1–2. Stuttgart: Frommann-Holzboog.
Google Scholar

Schlitt, Dale M. 1984. Hegel’s trinitarian claim. A Critical Reflection. Leiden: Brill.
Google Scholar

Schmaus, Michael. 1966. Die psychologische Trinitätslehre des hl. Augustinus: mit einem Nachtrag und Literaturergänzungen des Verfassers. Münsterische Beiträge zur Theologie 11. Münster: Aschendorff.
Google Scholar

Second Vatican Council. 1964. Dogmatic Constitution on the Church Lumen gentium. (= LG).
Google Scholar

Sikora, Piotr. 2004. “O trudnościach łacińskiej teologii trynitarnej.” Teofil 2 (20): 45–54.
Google Scholar

Splett, Jörg. 1965. Die Trinitätslehre G.W.F. Hegels. Freiburg in Breisgau: Karl Alber Verlag.
Google Scholar

Stavrou, Michel. 2000. “Filioque a teologia trynitarna.” In Tajemnica Trójcy Świętej. Translated by Lucjan Balter, 396–416. Kolekcja “Communio” 13. Poznań: Pallottinum.
Google Scholar

Szczurek, Jan Daniel. 1998–99. “Różnica między odwiecznymi aktami Boga Ojca.” Analecta Cracoviensia 30–31:275–89.
Google Scholar

Szczurek, Jan Daniel. 2003. Trójjedyny. Kraków: Wydawnictwo Naukowe PAT.
Google Scholar

Thomas Aquinas, Summa theologiae (Thomas de Aquino). 1888. Summa theologiae. Editio Leonina 4. Romae. (= STh).
Google Scholar

Thomas Aquinas, Contra errores Graecorum (Thomas de Aquino). 1967. Contra errores Graecorum. Editio Leonina 40:71–105. Romae.
Google Scholar

Williams, Rowan. 1975. The theology of Vladimir Nikolaievitch Lossky: An Exposition and Critique. Oxford: University of Oxford.
Google Scholar

Williams, Rowan. 1980. “The Via Negativa and the Foundations of Theology: An Introduction to the Thought of V.N. Lossky.” In New Studies in Theology I, edited by Stephen Sykes and Derek Holmes, 95–117. London: Oxford University.
Google Scholar

Woźniak, Robert J. 2007. Primitas et plenitudo. Dios Padre en la teología trinitaria de San Bonaventura. Pamplona: Eunsa.
Google Scholar

Woźniak, Robert J. 2008. “Metafizyka i Trójca. Teo-ontologia trynitarna pomiędzy apofatyką i katafatyką.” In Metafizyka i teologia. Debata u podstaw, edited by Robert J. Woźniak, 270–304. Myśl Teologiczna 62. Kraków: Wydawnictwo WAM.
Google Scholar

Ziółkowski, Marcin. 1946. Dogmat widzenia uszczęśliwiającego w świetle eschatologii katolickiej. Sandomierz.
Google Scholar

Zizioulas, John D. 1985. Being as Communion. Studies in Person-hood and the Church. London: Darton, Longman and Todd.
Google Scholar