Navigating the Discourse on God: Finding Balance Between Certainty and Mystery

By Adis Duderija, New Age Islam 24 September 2025 At its core, discussions about the divine can often be categorised into three distinct levels: the concrete, the abstract, and the experiential. Each level offers unique insights and challenges, but it is crucial to navigate these levels with care. To do so, we must avoid two extremes: the notion that we can encapsulate the divine in a flawless verbal formula and the belief that we are utterly in the dark regarding God's nature. Both extremes lead to dangerous consequences, from intolerance and idolatry on one side to apophaticism, atheism, agnosticism, or fideism on the other. The Concrete Discourse: Certainty and Doctrine The first level of discourse is the concrete, where discussions about God are grounded in specific doctrines, texts, and traditions. Here, God is described in terms of attributes and these attributes are supported by scriptural references and historical teachings. This approach is vital for establishing a foundation for belief and for creating communities of faith that share a common understanding of the divine. However, the danger of this level lies in its potential to create a rigid ,text based framework that claims absolute certainty. When individuals or communities assert that they can fully encapsulate God's essence within a set of doctrines/beliefs or verbal formulas, they risk falling into idolatry. Idolatry, in this sense, is not merely the worship of physical idols but the elevation of human constructs—such as dogmas or theological systems—to the status of divine truth. This can lead to intolerance toward other beliefs, as adherents may dismiss alternative understandings of the divine as inferior or misguided. Moreover, the insistence on certainty can breed a sense of exclusivity. When a particular interpretation of God is presented as the only valid one, it fosters an environment where dissent is unwelcome. This rigidity can alienate seekers who are grappling with their faith or who come from diverse cultural backgrounds. The richness of human experience, with its myriad interpretations of the divine, is often lost in the pursuit of doctrinal purity. The Abstract Discourse: Embracing Mystery At the other end of the spectrum is the abstract discourse, which emphasises the ineffability of God. This level recognises the limitations of human language and understanding when it comes to describing the divine. Theologians and philosophers who engage in this discourse often explore apophatic theology, which asserts that God can only be described in terms of what cannot be said. Here, the focus is on the mystery of God, acknowledging that the divine transcends human comprehension. While this approach offers a necessary caution against the hubris of certainty, it also carries its own set of dangers. When the discourse about God becomes overly abstract, it can lead to a sense of despair or nihilism. If we claim that God is entirely beyond our grasp, we risk falling into the belief that no meaningful discourse about the divine is possible. This can lead to aggressive apophaticism, where individuals deny the possibility of knowing anything about God, fostering a culture of scepticism that may veer into atheism or agnosticism. This extreme can be particularly appealing in a postmodern context, where relativism often reigns, and the search for absolute truths is viewed with suspicion. While recognising the limits of human understanding is crucial, dismissing the possibility of any knowledge about God can lead to disengagement from spiritual inquiry altogether. The Experiential Discourse: A Middle Path Between these two extremes lies the experiential discourse, which emphasises the personal and communal experiences of the divine. This level recognizes that while we may not fully capture the essence of God in words, our encounters with the divine can shape our understanding and beliefs. This approach encourages individuals to share their experiences of God through various form of prayer, worship, and personal reflection, allowing for a more dynamic and fluid exploration of the divine. Experiential discourse invites believers to engage with God in a way that acknowledges both certainty and mystery. It encourages individuals to articulate their beliefs while remaining open to new insights and interpretations. This level fosters dialogue within and across faith traditions, allowing for a richer understanding of the divine that honours diverse perspectives. Furthermore, the experiential approach can serve as a bridge between the concrete and abstract. While doctrines and teachings provide a framework for understanding God, personal experiences can add depth and nuance to these beliefs. This interplay creates a more holistic view of the divine that acknowledges both the limits of human language and the richness of spiritual encounters. Avoiding Extremes: A Call for Balance Navigating the discourse about God requires a delicate balance between certainty and mystery. Recognizing the value of concrete doctrines while remaining open to the ineffable nature of the divine can enrich our spiritual lives and foster more inclusive communities. By avoiding the extremes of rigid dogmatism and radical scepticism, we can cultivate a more nuanced understanding of God that honours the complexity of human experience. The danger of claiming absolute certainty about God is clear: it can lead to intolerance, idolatry, and the alienation of those who do not conform to established norms. Conversely, the excessive focus on mystery can breed despair, scepticism, and disengagement from spiritual inquiry. By embracing the experiential discourse, we can create spaces for dialogue, reflection, and growth that honour the diversity of beliefs while fostering mutual respect. Ultimately, the quest to understand God is a profoundly human endeavour that reflects our deepest longings, fears, and hopes. It is a journey that requires humility, openness, and a willingness to embrace both certainty and mystery. In this journey, we may not arrive at definitive answers, but we can cultivate a richer, more compassionate understanding of the divine that reflects the complexity and beauty of the human experience. By forging this path, we can contribute to a discourse that enriches our lives and the lives of those around us, creating a more harmonious and understanding world. In doing so, we pay homage to the very essence of what it means to seek God, a pursuit that is as diverse, complex, and beautiful as humanity itself. ----- Adis Duderija is an Associate Professor of Islamic Studies at Griffith University. His personal website : https://dradisduderija.com/ URL: https://www.newageislam.com/debating-islam/navigating-discourse-god-certainty-mystery/d/136964 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism