Dionysius the Areopagite on the Divine Names and the Mystical Theology

First published in 1920 this book is a translation-the only known work of British scholar CLARENCE EDWIN ROLT (1880-1917)-of On the Divine Names and The Mystical Theology by Dionysius the Areopagite a first-century bishop of Athens. The author is often also referred to as pseudo-Dionysius because a variety of anachronisms suggest that the manuscript was actually written much later by an unknown writer. Despite the books unclear origins the writings are still greatly valued for their theological insight. Saint Thomas Aquinas often quoted from pseudo-Dionysius as did many other famous and influential theologians and philosophers. Pseudo-Dionysius deals here with the Supra-Personality of God. Personality by definition is a quality limited to an individual. God on the other hand is the opposite of an individual. God is in all things so one cannot speak of a personality for the divine. Rather pseudo-Dionysius proposes a Supra-Personality which describes aspects and qualities of the universal being. Religious scholars and Christians wanting a different understanding of the relationship between God and the universe will find this a challenging but ultimately thought-provoking study.