A History of the Christian Church (Part 22) Introduction to Season Two - Dionysius the Areopagite. Telling Us What God is Not.

Send us Fan Mail

Welcome to Season Two of the History of the Christian Church Podcast!

In Season One, we traced the journey of the early church—from its apostolic foundations through persecution, the rise of Christian doctrine, and the establishment of Christianity as the dominant faith of the Roman Empire. We explored the theological battles that shaped orthodoxy and followed the church’s expansion through the first five centuries.

Now, in Season Two, we turn our attention eastward. While much of Western Christianity evolved under the influence of Rome, the Eastern Christian tradition developed along a different path—one shaped by Byzantine power, monastic spirituality, and theological debates that would define the future of Christendom. We will explore the towering figures of the Eastern Fathers, the rise of Constantinople as the "New Rome," the controversies over icons, and the Great Schism that divided the church.

Episode Notes: Dionysius the Areopagite - Telling Us What God is Not

In this episode, we begin our exploration of the Eastern Christian tradition by examining the enigmatic figure of Dionysius the Areopagite. Who was he? What did he teach? And why has his influence endured for centuries?

Dionysius is known for his apophatic (or "negative") theology, which emphasizes describing God by what He is not rather than attempting to define what He is. His works, written around 500 AD, were immensely influential in shaping mystical theology and were long thought to have been penned by the first-century Athenian judge mentioned in Acts 17:34. Today, we recognize the author as Pseudo-Dionysius, but his writings remain foundational to Christian thought.

Key topics covered in this episode:

• The historical context of the Eastern Christian tradition
• The mystery surrounding Dionysius and the question of authorship
• The core works of Dionysius: Divine Names, Mystical Theology, The Heavenly Hierarchy, and Ecclesiastical Hierarchy
• The influence of Neoplatonism on his theology
• The "negative way"—understanding God through what He is not

Dionysius' ideas continue to shape Christian mysticism and theology, challenging us to recognize that God is beyond human comprehension. Join me as we explore his impact on the Christian faith.

Stay tuned for more episodes as in season two we journey through the history of the Eastern Church!

Support the show