Status
Available
Collection
Publication
Farrar, Straus and Giroux (1976), Edition: Reprint, 464 pages
Description
Abraham Joshua Heschel was one of the most revered religious leaders of the 20th century, and "God in Search of Man "and its companion volume," Man Is Not Alone," two of his most important books, are classics of modern Jewish theology. "God in Search of Man" combines scholarship with lucidity, reverence, and compassion as Dr. Heschel discusses not man's search for God but God's for man--the notion of a Chosen People, an idea which, he writes, "signifies not a quality inherent in the people but a relationship between the people and God." It is an extraordinary description of the nature of Biblical thought, and how that thought becomes faith.
User reviews
LibraryThing member fingerpost
"God in Search of Man" is a splendid assortment of essays on a wide range of sub-headings found under the general heading of Judaism. Why is the Bible important? Who or what is God? How do we reconcile religious teachings with scientific facts? How is Judaism different from its cousin,
At his best, Heschel is methodical and detailed, with is passionate love of God and Judaism permeating whole sections of the book. When he delves more deeply into philosophy I found my mind wandering a bit. The weakest section is probably the portion of the book in which he defends the Bible. He posits some things that his readers - even devoutly Jewish readers - may not fully accept, and if the reader doesn't posit the same thing, then his argument collapses around it.
Read it straight through, or read its mostly short essays when the mood strikes. A good book either way.
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Christianity? What is the relevance of religious ritual? Why should we listen to the rabbi's of the Talmudic era? At his best, Heschel is methodical and detailed, with is passionate love of God and Judaism permeating whole sections of the book. When he delves more deeply into philosophy I found my mind wandering a bit. The weakest section is probably the portion of the book in which he defends the Bible. He posits some things that his readers - even devoutly Jewish readers - may not fully accept, and if the reader doesn't posit the same thing, then his argument collapses around it.
Read it straight through, or read its mostly short essays when the mood strikes. A good book either way.
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LibraryThing member arosoff
"Faith in God is, we repeat, not easily attained. Had it been possible to prove His existence beyond dispute, atheism would have been refuted as an error long ago."
Faith is not easy, and neither is this book, but that's a virtue. This isn't simple theology; it's a bit of a slog, though it's
Faith is not easy, and neither is this book, but that's a virtue. This isn't simple theology; it's a bit of a slog, though it's
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divided into short chunks. I don't think I can do justice to it without writing a college term paper, but even when I found myself disagreeing with it, I was forced to challenge my own conception of God and faith. Show Less
Subjects
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1955
Physical description
8.28 inches
ISBN
1429967625 / 9781429967624
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