Divine empathy

By Edward Farley

Book Description

In Divine Empathy, theologian Edward Farley tackles one of spirituality's most profound questions: how does the divine actively engage with human experience in ways that bring healing and transformation? Rather than offering abstract theological arguments, Farley grounds his exploration in what he calls the "facticity of redemption" - the tangible moments when people actually experience freedom and empowerment in their lives.

This comprehensive work invites readers to reconsider traditional concepts of God through a fresh lens that honors both classical religious wisdom and contemporary spiritual questioning. Farley's approach is neither defensive nor dismissive, but thoughtfully bridges different theological perspectives while charting new territory in understanding divine nature and activity.

The book unfolds across three interconnected sections that examine how we think about God, the symbols we use to understand the divine, and the ways divine creativity manifests in the world, including through the figure of Jesus. What emerges is a vision of God characterized by profound empathy - a divine presence that doesn't remain distant but actively participates in human struggles and aspirations.

For spiritual seekers wrestling with questions about God's role in personal transformation, Farley offers an intellectually rigorous yet accessible framework that takes seriously both human experience and divine mystery. His work provides tools for those seeking to understand how spiritual empowerment actually occurs in everyday life.