Essay: John of the Cross and Emmanuel Lévinas: The Quest for God beyond Being, by David B. Perrin

In this essay, David Perrin shows how a comparison between the writings of twentieth century philosopher Emmanuel Lévinas and sixteenth century mystical theologian John of the Cross on God and life can lead to theological insights about God beyond traditional abstract formulations. Here is the essay's abstract:

John of the Cross (1542-1591), a Christian theologian and Catholic priest born in Spain, lived through the worst of the Spanish Inquisition. Emmanuel Lévinas (1906-1995), a Jewish philosopher and layman born in Lithuania, lived through the 1917 Russian Revolution and the collapse of the old regime. What, then, brings these two eminent thinkers together: one from the upheavals of 16th-century Spain; the other from war-torn 20th-century France and Germany? Simply put, both of these men refused to start their reflection on life and God from self-contained abstract principles; rather, their point of departure was the ambiguity and complexity of the character of human nature. From this starting point, both are led to a God without or beyond Being. After a comparative analysis of their God talk, the following questions are explored: How do we speak about God? What are the consequences of John’s and Levinas’ radical negation of the Being of God?

Citation:

David B. Perrin, "John of the Cross and Emmanuel Lévinas: The Quest for God beyond Being," in John of the Cross: Carmel, Desire and Transformation, Chapter 16, editors Edward Howells and Peter Tyler, Routledge: New York, NY, 2024, pages 217-229. (Click on the book title for more information.)