The doctrine of analogy is a theological and philosophical approach that seeks to navigate between the pitfalls of equivocation (where words mean the same when applied to God and creation) and univocation (where words mean completely different things), when speaking about God. This doctrine posits that while human language cannot fully capture the essence of God, it can still meaningfully refer to the divine by using analogies. For instance, when we say God is "good," the doctrine of analogy suggests that God's goodness is analogous to human goodness, but infinitely greater and without imperfection. This allows for a meaningful, albeit indirect, conversation about the divine attributes without reducing God to human terms or inflating human concepts to the level of the divine.

Apophatic theology, or negative theology, confronts the problem of religious language by asserting that one can only speak about the divine in terms of what it is not. This approach is grounded in the belief that the essence of God is beyond human comprehension and language. Thus, apophatic theologians use negative terms to strip away human conceptions of God, which are seen as inadequate or misleading. For instance, they would argue that God is not evil, not ignorant, and not finite. In doing so, apophatic theology emphasises the transcendence of God and the limitations of human language, fostering a sense of mystery and humility in religious discourse.

Theories of myth illuminate the role of storytelling and narrative in conveying religious truths that might be inaccessible through propositional language. Myths are seen not merely as false stories but as symbolic narratives that express complex truths about human existence, the nature of the world, and the divine. In this light, religious language becomes a medium for conveying deeper meanings that resonate with the human psyche and communal identity, offering insights into existential questions and ethical norms. Myths function to bind communities together with a shared language that encapsulates their most profound experiences and beliefs.

Religious non-realism is a perspective within the philosophy of religion that interprets religious language as not referring to an objective, external divine reality but rather as expressing human inner experiences, moral values, or community practices. Non-realists argue that religious language should be understood symbolically or metaphorically, providing a narrative framework for expressing the human condition rather than factual claims about the cosmos. This view impacts the interpretation of religious language by emphasising the function of religious discourse in life rather than its truth-conditions, thus shifting the focus from ontological claims to practical implications.

The cataphatic (or positive) approach in theology asserts that we can speak meaningfully about God by affirming certain qualities that are considered divine. This approach does not shy away from using human language to attribute positive characteristics to God, such as goodness or wisdom, based on human understanding of these traits. However, it's recognised that such descriptions are limited and can only offer an analogy of the divine attributes, not a complete representation. While this approach allows for a more direct discourse about God, it still acknowledges the gap between finite human understanding and the infinite nature of the divine.