Theological Humility and Epistemological Limits

Sor Juana's approach balanced passionate intellectual investigation with explicit acknowledgment of mystery—some questions exceed human capacity to answer definitively. This concept distinguishes between healthy intellectual humility and intellectual surrender. Rather than claiming exhaustive knowledge of God or doctrine, she positioned inquiry itself as honoring the vastness beyond comprehension. For believers, this framework permits sustained faith despite unresolved theological questions—doubt and belief coexist without requiring resolution. For doubters, it validates the position that uncertainty about ultimate truth doesn't necessitate abandoning all religious perspective; one can hold convictions lightly while continuing to learn. For those leaving, it suggests departure needn't stem from achieving certainty that religion is false, but from recognizing that particular traditions cannot accommodate the questioner's honest relationship with mystery. This concept honors the intellectual integrity of saying simultaneously: "I don't know," "I've investigated carefully," and "I continue seeking."