Approaching God

Book excerpt: Abraham Joshua Heschel (1907 '72) is widely regarded as one of the most creative religious thinkers of the twentieth century, and John Merkle is well known as a leading guide to Heschel's thought. In accessible and engaging language, Merkle's Approaching God: The Way of Abraham Joshua Heschel introduces readers to Heschel's life and works in the service of God and to the very heart of his theological perspective. This book clearly explains Heschel's reasons for affirming the reality and revelation of God, what he recommends as ways of responding to God, and why he thinks it is important to accept religious diversity as the will of God. Deeply rooted in tradition, Heschel's message was, in its day, both timely and ahead of its time. This book shows just how relevant his message is for those seeking God 'and an enlightened perspective on God 'in the twenty-first century. John C. Merkle is professor of theology at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University in Minnesota. His books include The Genesis of Faith: The Depth Theology of Abraham Joshua Heschel (Macmillan,1985) and Faith Transformed: Christian Encounters with Jews and Judaism (Liturgical Press, 2003).