Relating God and the Self: Dynamic Interplay

Religion is not only about understanding the world - it is just as much about how to develop and shape the self’s experience of itself. Because the religious self is shaped by our symbols of God - and symbols of God are also shaped by the self, theology and philosophy of religion cannot ignore this interplay, or the psychological dimension, when they discuss what symbols of God are adequate and not. By discussing critically different ways the symbol of God functions in the formation of the self, the book develops a nuanced and original approach to the interplay between God and the self. It suggests that play is actually an important metaphor in order to develop a dynamic understanding of religion’s way of relating God and the Self. This approach challenges understandings of religion focussing only its cognitive claims, as well as those who emphasize doctrinal orthodoxy as the most important element in religion.

Jan-Olav Henriksen has been Professor of Systematic Theology and Philosophy of Religion in Norwegian School of Theology since 1994. He has co-authored or authored approximately 30 books within a wide range of theological and philosophical subjects and has also been Director of the Interdisciplinary Research School, Religion, Values and Society which is set up by six Norwegian universities and colleges. Henriksen has been Alan Richardson Fellow at Durham University (UK) and Research Fellow at Center of Theological Inquiry, Princeton, New Jersey. Henriksen is an established voice on the Nordic theological scene, and has contributed to several international research projects. He has also contributed to Ashgate's Key Theological Thinkers.