The Diremption of Meaning

Abstract Examining work by Rowan Williams, this essay explores what he often refers to as the ‘difficulty’ of writing theology. The difficulty of theology lies in engaging the ruse of having ultimate answers to ultimate questions. The stakes are high: ‘God‐talk’ must concern itself with truth, with reality. But theology knows that truth is always a work of grace and understanding always involves a cost. While it is intellectual understanding that is pursued, it is not merely intellectual understanding that we are aiming for, but rather a spiritual understanding through faith. This involves a diremption of meaning. The essay argues that theological ‘difficulty’ must wrestle with communication and intelligibility with respect to human language, on the one hand, and Christology on the other. The tragic always waits in the wings of such an endeavour and that has pastoral consequences.