"All Things Are Full of Gods" by Priscilla Wald is a comprehensive and thought-provoking examination of the cultural, philosophical, and historical dimensions of the divine and sacred in the world. The book delves into how various cultural narratives and religious traditions shape the understanding of the divine in everyday life and nature. The title itself, which is a reference to the idea that divinity is not confined to sacred spaces or specific practices, implies a worldview where the sacred is inherent in all things.
Here's a detailed summary of the key themes and content of the book:
1. Exploration of the Divine in Everyday Life
One of the central themes of "All Things Are Full of Gods" is the pervasiveness of divinity in the world. Wald argues that sacredness is not restricted to religious rituals, temples, or holy books. Instead, she explores how divinity is embedded in nature, in the mundane, and in human actions. The idea that “all things are full of gods” suggests a pantheistic or panentheistic worldview, where divinity permeates every aspect of life.
2. Cultural and Religious Contexts
Wald examines various religious and philosophical traditions around the world to highlight how different cultures conceptualize the divine in relation to the material world. She draws on a broad range of sources, from ancient polytheistic beliefs to modern spiritual movements, to show how the understanding of gods and spirits has evolved over time. She emphasizes that the divine can be seen as immanent—present and active in the world—rather than transcendent or separate from it.
3. Mythology and Symbolism
The book delves into the role of mythology and symbolism in shaping perceptions of the divine. Wald discusses how myths serve as both a way to understand and connect with the sacred and as a way to explain the mysteries of the natural world. The gods, in various traditions, are often represented through symbols, rituals, and archetypes that reveal deeper truths about human existence, our relationship with nature, and the cosmos.
4. Human Experience and the Sacred
Wald also addresses how humans relate to the divine in their lived experience. This includes personal encounters with the sacred in nature, in rituals, and through direct mystical experiences. She suggests that humans have an innate tendency to seek out and recognize the divine in all things, and that this recognition can be a source of profound meaning and transformation.
5. Reconnecting with the Divine
In modern times, Wald argues, many people have become disconnected from the sense of the divine in the world, largely due to the rise of secularism, materialism, and rationalism. In contrast to this, the book advocates for a reawakening or rekindling of a more holistic, interconnected relationship with the sacred. Wald proposes that by recognizing the divine in all aspects of life—whether in nature, human interactions, or the cosmos—individuals can live more meaningful, spiritually attuned lives.
6. The Interplay of Nature and the Divine
A significant portion of the book is dedicated to the relationship between nature and the divine. Wald draws from environmental ethics and eco-theology to argue that nature itself is a manifestation of the divine. This perspective challenges the traditional Western dichotomy between nature and the sacred, urging readers to reconsider how they view environmental destruction and the exploitation of natural resources as not just ecological issues, but spiritual ones as well.
7. The Modern Search for Meaning
In the contemporary world, as traditional religious institutions may lose influence, Wald examines how people today are searching for spirituality in non-traditional ways. New age spirituality, holistic health practices, and environmental movements are all explored as modern manifestations of this search for a deeper connection with the sacred. Wald emphasizes that the divine is not something that can be confined to organized religion but is a force that can be experienced in many ways, both personal and collective.
8. Philosophical and Theological Perspectives
Wald integrates various philosophical and theological viewpoints into her discussion. Drawing on thinkers like Spinoza, Emerson, and Thoreau, she explores ideas of immanence and transcendence, looking at how different philosophers have approached the question of divinity in the natural world. She examines how philosophy and theology can intersect in the search for meaning, suggesting that the sacred is both within and beyond human understanding.
9. The Role of Art and Creativity
Wald also addresses the role of art, music, and creativity in expressing the divine. Throughout history, humans have used creative expression to connect with the sacred and convey the ineffable. Whether in visual art, music, or literature, creative works can serve as a form of prayer or ritual, offering a space for individuals to experience and express the divine.
10. Conclusion: Toward a Holistic Understanding of the Divine
In the final chapters of the book, Wald advocates for a more holistic, inclusive understanding of the divine. She suggests that the future of spirituality lies in recognizing the interconnections between all things, seeing the sacred not as something separate or distant, but as an integral part of the world around us. She encourages readers to embrace a more expansive and inclusive view of the divine, one that acknowledges the sacredness of the Earth, human beings, and all aspects of existence.
Themes to Highlight:
- Pantheism and Panentheism: The belief that the divine is inherent in all things.
- Cultural Diversity: The different ways in which the divine is understood across cultures.
- Nature and the Sacred: The sacredness of nature and the environment.
- Spirituality in the Modern World: How contemporary individuals search for the sacred outside traditional religious institutions.
- Symbolism and Mythology: The role of myth in understanding the divine.
In essence, "All Things Are Full of Gods" calls for a reevaluation of how humans relate to the sacred and to the world around them. It invites readers to view the divine not as a distant, separate entity but as a force that is woven into the very fabric of existence. Wald’s work encourages a more integrated, spiritually aware approach to living, one that recognizes the divine presence in the everyday, the natural world, and the interconnectedness of all things.
David Bentley Hart also wrote a book titled "All Things Are Full of God: A Christian Introduction to the Sacred" (2021). This book shares the same title as Priscilla Wald's work, but it is a very different project, focused on theology, philosophy, and Christian spirituality. In contrast to Wald's exploration of divinity across various cultural and philosophical traditions, Hart’s book is more specifically concerned with Christian theology and the concept of the divine in Christian thought.
Summary of "All Things Are Full of God" by David Bentley Hart
David Bentley Hart's "All Things Are Full of God" is a philosophical and theological exploration of the nature of the divine and its immanence in the world, with a focus on Christianity. Hart approaches the concept of the sacred in a way that emphasizes the profound presence of God in all things, as an affirmation of Christian thought about creation and divinity. He draws from the Christian tradition, including both Eastern and Western theology, as well as from classical philosophy, to argue for an understanding of God's relationship to the world that challenges conventional views of a distant or separate God.
Key Themes:
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Immanence of God: Hart's central argument in the book is that God is deeply immanent in the world, and all creation is filled with the presence of the divine. He stresses that the Christian understanding of God is not one of detachment or separation but rather one of deep involvement in the world. Drawing from patristic theology, especially the writings of the early Church Fathers, Hart emphasizes the idea that God's presence is not confined to sacred spaces or rituals, but pervades all things.
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Creation and Divine Providence: Hart explores the relationship between God and creation, arguing that the world is not a product of a distant creator but is intimately connected to God’s ongoing creative act. He addresses the idea of divine providence—God’s continual care for the world—and how this sustains and orders all of creation. This theme connects with the biblical notion that all things exist "through Him" (Colossians 1:16) and that creation is a reflection of God’s eternal goodness.
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Theosis (Deification): The book also engages with the Eastern Orthodox Christian concept of theosis, the idea that human beings are called to become more like God, participating in God's divine life. Hart discusses the theological implications of this idea and how it shapes Christian anthropology and soteriology. Theosis, in this context, is linked to the belief that the divine presence is not just something external to creation, but something that calls all things to their ultimate fulfillment in God.
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Aquinas, Augustine, and the Christian Tradition: Hart draws from the classical Christian tradition, including key figures such as St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Augustine, to highlight how Christian theology has historically approached the relationship between God and creation. He contrasts the Christian understanding of God’s immanence with more abstract or deistic conceptions of God that emerged in modern philosophy. Hart criticizes the tendency in Western thought to separate God from the world, asserting that this undermines the depth of Christian belief in God as Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer.
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God's Transcendence and the Mystery of Divine Being: Although Hart emphasizes the immanence of God in creation, he also explores the transcendence of God, acknowledging that God's nature surpasses human comprehension. He addresses the paradox of divine immanence and transcendence and reflects on how these two aspects of God’s nature are both essential to Christian thought.
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Critique of Modern Secularism: Hart critiques secularism and modern atheism for their limited understanding of the divine. He challenges the reduction of God to mere abstraction or the dismissal of God altogether, arguing instead for a more holistic vision that recognizes God’s active presence and providential care in all things. Hart’s work is also a critique of modern tendencies to view religion and spirituality as separate from everyday life, advocating for a reintegration of the sacred into human experience.
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The Spiritual Meaning of the World: A central point of the book is that the world, in all its beauty and tragedy, is imbued with spiritual meaning and is a reflection of God's glory. Hart draws on the Christian mystical tradition, urging readers to see the divine in the ordinary and to embrace a vision of the world as a "sacrament" of God’s grace.
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Divine Love and Goodness: The book explores how God's love and goodness are expressed in the world, not merely in the abstract but through concrete acts of creation and redemption. Hart stresses that the Christian conception of God is not just about power or omnipotence but is fundamentally about love—an overflowing, self-giving love that permeates all of creation.
Conclusion:
David Bentley Hart's "All Things Are Full of God" is a deeply theological and philosophical meditation on the nature of God as both immanent and transcendent. It seeks to reclaim the fullness of the Christian tradition’s understanding of God’s relationship to the world and to challenge secular and modernist conceptions of the divine. Hart emphasizes that the divine is present in all things, that the world itself is a reflection of God's goodness, and that human beings are called to participate in the divine life through theosis. His work is an invitation to see the world with new eyes, recognizing the sacred in all things and cultivating a deeper, more profound relationship with the divine.
What is the mystery (or the 'hard problem') of consciousness? Can it be resolved on purely naturalistic/materialistic grounds? What are the best arguments & rejoinders for the various theories that exist? And does naturalism (despite all appearances) actually contain significant logical leaps when accounting for the existence of "mind"? All this, and much, much, much more is addressed in David Bentley Hart's magisterial new work of philosophy.So, while both books share the same title, they approach the concept of divinity in very different ways—Priscilla Wald's work is more cross-cultural and philosophical, while David Bentley Hart’s book is specifically focused on Christian theology and its understanding of God’s immanence in creation.
🧠Hart tackles the hard problem of consciousness through a unique scripted dialogue between gods, with Hephestus representing a naturalistic, mechanistic view and Psyche defending a non-reductive, non-physicalist account of consciousness.
🌌The book explores how to reconcile true consciousness with a naturalistic worldview and the existence of God, proposing consciousness as participating in a divine mind at the bedrock of reality.
Critique of Naturalism
🔬Hart critiques the naturalistic view for making logical leaps and failing to account for the mysteries of existence, arguing that the modernist, post-Enlightenment, atheistic naturalistic approach makes larger leaps than the theistic view.
Research and Scope
📚Hart's work demonstrates impressive research, incorporating a wide range of views including Eastern philosophy like Vedantic thought, and is thoroughly footnoted to sources such as Daniel Dennett, showcasing his deep immersion in the literature.
Historical Perspective
⏳Hart's premodern, pre-Enlightenment approach to creation and consciousness provides a framework for understanding the wide leaps in the naturalistic view, revealing that it makes shockingly non-rational assumptions.