Before God: Exercises in Subjectivity

by Steven Delay

Since Heidegger, it has become something of an unquestioned presupposition to analyse the structure and essence of selfhood from the perspective of being-in-the-world. In the book, DeLay sets out a view of existence instead emphasizing humanity's ineluctable experience  before-God. Surmounting received divisions between philosophy and theology, the work's eight chapters explore our relation to God and others, tracing a path instituted in antiquity and latent still in certain strands of contemporary phenomenology. After two introductory explorations of the ancient conception of philosophy as a way of life undermining the modern notion of philosophy as methodologically atheist, the third chapter examines our relation to others through an assessment of how, paradoxically, we are together in the world yet ever alone. The theme of being-with-others is deepened with an analysis of forgiveness in its various forms. The theme is continued in the next chapter's discussion of peace, which is seen to prove so elusive because of the omnipresence of evil in the world, a fact which itself is explored in connection to the varieties of silence we encounter throughout our daily lives. Utilizing these results from the preceding chapters on forgiveness, peace, and silence, the final chapters inquire into perennial questions as doubt, deception, and hope. Drawing together the previous results, the conclusion underscores the view of man that has theretofore we are open to a God who in Jesus Christ calls each of us back to ourselves.

200 pages, Hardcover

Published December 2, 2019

Reviews

[Sam Eccleston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant. Judicious, insightful, relevant; surveying both intellectual history and personal experience and making a convincing account of the preeminent relevance of the Christian revelation to understanding both. A tremendous reminder of the resources the tradition possesses to gently but convincingly correct the excesses of secular thought. Really invigorating- genuine wisdom wedded to erudition and clarity.