On the Divine Names and the Mystical Theology

By: Dionysius the Areopagite

Narrated by: Ethan Fifield

The author of this work identifies himself as Dionysios the Areopagite, the Athenian convert of St. Paul the Apostle mentioned in Acts 17:34. There are various legends surrounding the figure of Dionysius, who became a symbol of the spread of the gospel to the Greek world.

A tradition quickly arose that he was the first bishop of Cyprus or of Milan, and that he authored the Epistle to the Hebrews. According to Eusebius, he was the first bishop of Athens.

The Dionysian writings and their mystical teaching were almost universally accepted throughout the East - both among Chalcedonians and non-Chalcedonians. They also had a strong impact in later medieval Western mysticism. Its influence decreased in the West with the 15th-century claims that it had a later date.

In this audiobook, there is an emphasis on the ineffability of God (incapable of being expressed - the Divine Dark) otherwise known as a "negative" approach to God.

Public Domain (P)2020 Patristic Publishing

Brilliant Darkness

An excellent work of literature on the transcendent nature of God. Beyond comprehension beyond all assertion and or negation.

Love this.

This is said (probably over-simply) to be a hybrid of Proclus’ Neoplatonism with Christian thought. It remains, however, very Christian while being much more clear and easy to follow than Proclus (or certainly Plotinus). If you like Origen, you will probably like this. I saw some reviewers complain of bias in the commentary. I cannot say if that is true because I skipped past the 9 chapter introduction to the work itself (problem solved). What I can say is that this has been an enriching and uplifting book and perfect for my second week of Lent.

Good material.

I really did not like the reader. This needs to be read by some one else.

Not orthodox

They should differentiate to say that this is closer to Catholic teachings into orthodox. Forgive me a sinner

Commentary inserted, Catholic bias

I thought this would be just a reading of On the Divine Names, it is not because there is random commentary throughout it that overlays a distinctly Roman Catholic type of interpretation contrary to the Orthodox understanding of St. Dionysius. I would not recommend this for any Orthodox. Forgive me a sinner but I cannot in good conscious recommend this as a result.