The Lure of Transcendence and the Audacity of Prayer: Selected Essays

The discourse of prayer responds to the abiding lure of transcendence, which has summoned forth all manner of human effort. Samuel E. Balentine demonstrates how prayer's invocation of God transgresses the limits of human beings, showing how inviting, let alone commanding God to speak may be the acme of bardic pretention.

Format: Hardback
Length: 302 pages
Publication date: 23 June 2022
Publisher: JCB Mohr (Paul Siebeck)

The discourse of prayer, an enduring allure of transcendence, has captivated humanity throughout history. From the ancient tales of Gilgamesh to the primordial beings in Eden, to the epic journey of Odysseus, the quest for ultimate truths has driven all manner of human endeavors—courageous, desperate, pious, impious, successful, failed, invited, forbidden. Like all seductive pursuits, the glimmer of transcendence remains uncertain, whether it reveals a radiant star illuminating the shadows or simply a shiny object luring us into an unavoidable darkness (a fishing lure, for instance).

In this profound study, Samuel E. Balentine explores the extraordinary way in which prayer transcends the limitations of human beings. The author delves into the audacious act of inviting, let alone commanding, God to speak, revealing how it can be the epitome of bardic pretention in the ancient world. Through meticulous analysis, Balentine demonstrates how prayer, in its invocation of the divine, pushes the boundaries of human understanding and experience.

The author highlights the ancient world's perception of prayer as a daring and audacious act, where the boundaries between the human and divine were blurred. Prayer was seen as a means to bridge the gap between the finite and the infinite, to seek guidance and wisdom from the divine. However, the invocation of God in prayer was not without its risks and consequences. It required a profound sense of humility, reverence, and submission, as the human being acknowledged their limitations and sought to align themselves with the greater power of the divine.

Balentine's study sheds light on the complexities of prayer and its role in human history. It challenges our assumptions about the relationship between humanity and the divine and encourages us to explore the depths of our spiritual selves. Through its exploration of the invocation of God in prayer, the study offers a valuable insight into the human quest for transcendence and the enduring power of prayer to connect us to something greater than ourselves.

Weight: 590g
ISBN-13: 9783161611032