Gottesnähe

Book Description

In the aftermath of one of ancient Israel's most devastating periods, how did religious thinkers reimagine humanity's relationship with the divine? Michael Emmendörffer explores this profound question through a careful examination of the Priestly Source, one of the foundational documents underlying the Hebrew Bible.

Following the catastrophic events of 587 BCE, religious communities faced the monumental task of reconstructing their understanding of God's presence in a radically changed world. Emmendörffer reveals how ancient writers responded by crafting new interpretations of foundational stories, weaving fresh meaning into narratives of creation, flood, and covenant that continue to shape spiritual consciousness today.

This scholarly work traces the intricate process by which older mythological traditions were transformed and reinterpreted to address contemporary spiritual needs. The author draws connections across ancient cultures, examining parallel concepts of divine presence in Egyptian and Mesopotamian traditions, while also considering the theological innovations found in Ezekiel and Isaiah.

For readers interested in understanding how spiritual communities adapt and renew their core beliefs during times of crisis, this study offers valuable insights into the dynamic nature of religious thought. Emmendörffer demonstrates how ancient interpreters didn't simply preserve tradition but actively reshaped it, creating new pathways for experiencing divine closeness that spoke to their transformed circumstances.

The book illuminates the creative theological work that emerges when faith communities must rebuild their understanding of the sacred in response to profound historical upheaval.