Becoming present

Book Description

In a world where the divine often feels distant and abstract, how do we understand and experience God's presence in our daily lives? Theologian Ingolf U. Dalferth tackles this profound question by examining one of Christianity's most enduring challenges: balancing God's transcendence with the reality of divine presence.

This thoughtful exploration addresses a fundamental tension that has shaped religious thought for centuries. Traditional negative theology, while protecting the sacred distinction between the divine and worldly realms, sometimes creates such distance that God's active presence becomes difficult to grasp. Meanwhile, contemporary philosophical critiques of presence itself have added new layers of complexity to this ancient puzzle.

Dalferth navigates these intellectual currents while engaging with modern approaches that ground theology in religious experience. He examines how Christian communities encounter the divine through baptism and communion, and considers fresh theological perspectives that reimagine God's relationship with creation.

Rather than offering simple answers, this work provides a nuanced framework for understanding how Christians can authentically sense and articulate divine presence. The author weaves together philosophical rigor with pastoral sensitivity, creating a resource for anyone seeking to deepen their theological understanding.

For readers drawn to serious spiritual inquiry, this book offers tools for thinking more clearly about one of faith's most mysterious and vital dimensions: the experience of God's nearness in an often seemingly absent world.