The Hiddenness of God

The Hiddenness of God discusses the problem of divine hiddenness and how it relates to the ambiguity of evidence for God's existence, the elusiveness of God's comforting presence, and the experience of divine absence and abandonment. Michael C. Rea argues that divine hiddenness is not a problem to be explained away but a consequence of the nature of God himself. He shows that scripture and tradition bear testimony to God's love and transcendence, which implies that all of God's intrinsic attributes elude our grasp in significant ways.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 25 August 2021
Publisher: Oxford University Press

The Hiddenness of God delves into the complex issue of divine hiddenness, which encompasses the ambiguity of evidence for God's existence, the elusive nature of God's comforting presence, the profound and painful experience of divine absence and abandonment, and other perplexing phenomena. These phenomena pose significant challenges to the belief, fundamental to Jewish and Christian scriptures, that there exists a God who is deeply and lovingly concerned with the lives of humans.

In his book, Michael C. Rea posits that divine hiddenness is not an issue that can be simply explained away but rather a result of the inherent nature of God himself. He argues that it stems from unwarranted assumptions and expectations about God's love for humanity. Rea demonstrates that scripture and tradition provide evidence not only of God's love but also of his transcendence. He suggests that God's transcendence should be understood as implying that all of God's intrinsic attributes, including divine love, elude our grasp in significant ways.

The book explores various aspects of divine hiddenness, including the nature of evidence, the problem of pain, and the role of faith in understanding God. Rea challenges traditional interpretations of scripture and offers a fresh perspective on the nature of God and human relationships. He argues that divine hiddenness is not a sign of God's absence or indifference but rather a reflection of the limitations of human understanding and the complexity of the divine reality.

Through his thoughtful and compelling analysis, Michael C. Rea provides a valuable contribution to the ongoing debate about the nature of God and human relationships. The Hiddenness of God offers a profound exploration of the challenges and complexities of faith and provides a deeper understanding of the divine mystery.

Weight: 280g
Dimension: 138 x 217 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192845160