The Complete Works of Saint Dionysius the Areopagite

IX. Concerning the great, the small, the same, the other, the similar, the dissimilar, rest, motion, and equality In this chapter, the author applies philosophical categories (often derived from Plato) to God, arguing that God is the source of all these qualities while remaining beyond them. . . . Page 236
X. Concerning the Almighty, and the Ancient of Days; in which also eternity and time are discussed The "Ancient of Days" is a title for God found in the biblical Book of Daniel, representing His eternal nature. . . . » 242
XI. Concerning peace, and what is meant by "being-in-itself," "life-in-itself," "power-in-itself," and similar expressions The author uses "in-itself" (original: per se) to describe the essential divine archetypes that give form to the world. . . . . . . » 245
XII. Concerning the Holy of Holies, King of kings, Lord of lords, and God of gods . . . . . » 252
XIII. Concerning the Perfect and the One . . . . . . . » 254

THE MYSTICAL THEOLOGY This short but highly influential work describes the "apophatic" path—the way of reaching God by stripping away all concepts and names, entering into a "divine darkness" beyond understanding.

Chapter I. What the divine darkness is The "divine darkness" (original: divina caligo) refers to a state where God's light is so blindingly bright that it appears as darkness to the limited human mind. . . . . » 261
II. How it is necessary to be united to, and to offer praise to, the Author of all, who is above all . . . . . . . . . » 264
III. What are the affirmative expressions concerning God, and what are the negative ones The author distinguishes between "cataphatic" theology (affirming what God is, like "God is Good") and "apophatic" theology (denying what God is, like "God is not a stone"). . . . . . . . . . » 265
IV. That He who is the pre-eminent Author of every sensible thing is Himself nothing of the sensible world "Sensible" here means things that can be perceived by the five senses. . . . . . . . . . » 267
V. That He who is the pre-eminent Author of every intellectual thing is Himself nothing of the intellectual world "Intellectual" (original: intellectilium) refers to things understood by the mind or spirit, such as concepts or angels. . . . . . . . . » 268

EPISTLES A series of letters addressed to various figures of the Apostolic age (like Gaius or Polycarp), further clarifying the author's theological system.

I. To Gaius the Monk. Concerning the ignorance and knowledge of God. » 271
II. To the same Gaius the Monk. How God is above the very principle of divinity and goodness. . . . » 272
III. To the same Gaius. What the term suddenly original: ἐξαίφνης (exaiphnes) signifies in the mystery of the Incarnation. The author explores the "sudden" entry of the eternal God into human time through Jesus Christ. . . . . . . » as above original: ivi (short for ibidem), meaning "in the same place."