A Human-Shaped God: Theology of an Embodied God

by Charles Halton

A Human-Shaped God approaches the humanlike accounts of God in the Old Testament as the starting places for theology and uses them to build a picture of the divine. This understanding of God is then brought into conversation with traditional conceptions that depict God as a being who knows everything that happens, is at every place at the same time, is constant and unchanging, and does not ultimately have material form. But instead of pitting the Old Testament's humanlike view of God against traditional theology and assuming that only one of these understandings is correct, A Human-Shaped God posits that theologians should embrace both of these constructions simultaneously. This is a new way of theological inquiry that embraces both the humanlike characteristics of God and the transcendence of God in traditional theology. By seeing and understanding the humanlike depictions of God in the Old Testament and by using the rich language of traditional theology together in tandem, the reader acquires a much deeper and meaningful understanding of God.

Genres: Religion, Theology

300 pages, Paperback

Published October 26, 2021

About the author

Charles Halton (PhD, Hebrew Union College) taught biblical and ancient Near Eastern studies at Southern Seminary and HBU. He translated the cuneiform collection of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh and has contributed to various assyriological publications including the monograph Reading Akkadian Hymns and Prayers (2011) and the journal Cuneiform Digital Library Notes. He was a fellow of the Advanced Seminar in the Humanities in Venice, Italy. He is currently the managing editor of Marginalia, a magazine of intellectual culture and a channel of the Los Angeles Review of Books.

Reviews

[Carolyn J. Visser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating book. Anyone interested in reading modern theologians needs to read this book. Halton gives a fresh concept of God and ties the Old Testament to the New. Definitely changes how I read the Bible. Makes even the "blood-thirsty" God of the Old Testament relatable. I appreciated his thoughts about evil in relation to God. Obviously, the author is extremely well read. Lots of footnotes to ponder what to read next.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a product of strict evangelical theology, this book has helped me see a deconstructive path forward. I don’t have to lose my faith. I can imagine a new one that leads to love and kindness.

[Jeremy Tabensky · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sympathetic reading of the Hebrew Bible forces devotees to increase the corners of their canvas to encompass the ever growing spectacle of God. The Picture "image-bearers" wear has evolved with humanity- seen in doctrinal fissures, disagreements and recommitments to Orthodox paths. Similarly, Halton's deep work allows for the same flexibility to be present in the ancient readers minds, their writing instruments, their imaginations- and by extension, the stories they use to educate their children. The same stories some use in the 21st century to educate their own.

The entanglement of God with complex humanity is useful for the Industrial-Age-Christian and institution. Like fish in a net, the modern man constrains a God very much alive and resisting confinement. What Halton illuminates is an entanglement of humanity with a complex God. The virtue of faithfulness, for example, is not made profitable in a capitalistic sense here. What is gained is not gross capital, Halton's reading will not get you in touch with a faithful God that will give you grapes and bread to fill your own stomach. Rather faithfulness read as a human-embodied theology of God will mirror an annoyed yet long fused God- whose annoyance is demonstrated in silent presence, but presence none the less. One continually dependable, albeit with His grievances. Showing God-nature and human-nature to be more akin than opposed. Halton's work re-examines the Hebrew Bible through the eyes of its writers, mining for gems nestled within rocky variability.

Much like how a coin was hidden in a fighting fish for St Peter to find.

[Christopher Robin Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book won the Grawemeyer Award for Religion given by the seminary I attend and we read part of the book for class. I finished it because I’m a pick me.

This book provided us with some fresh perspectives on the Hebrew Bible and the body and concept of God. This was an excellent read for people approaching it with an open mind. Lutherans from central casting will find themselves more insufferable than usual reading f this book. Do not crack this spine for bias confirmation.

[Ron Tenney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first became aware of this book while listening to a podcast with Charles Halter as the guest. It was in intriguing discussion of how one can see evidence and images throughout the Hebrew Bible of a God with a body, with emotions, with conflicting motives. Even a changing and growing God.
As I read this book, I found myself thinking and wondering about God more than I have in a long time. The stories shared and the potential interpretations of those stories amused me, startled me, challenged me. I was frankly uncomfortable with much of what I read. God was no longer infallible. He was no longer the embodiment of justice. In many ways, He seemed smaller than I and viewed Him.
Yet, it made sense to allow for God to grow, develop, adapt to new circumstances. It drew me closer to Him. It made me want to read the Hebrew Bible with new, more open eyes.
One thing I loved about this book is that Halton is both a scholar and a minister. He frequently reminded me that it is how well I love, how generously I open my heart to others is what really matters. He is the opposite of dogmatic in his presentation. He invites all who read to come to their own conclusions.
My religious background has taught me that God is embodied. We are literally created in His image. But the way Halton interprets these stories takes that article of faith to a whole new level.
If you are interested in the theology of the Hebrew Bible and if you want to read it with a brand-new lens, I strongly recommend this book.

[Brent Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a thrill, Halton's deep dive into this topic! He starts with a thorough introduction to human embodiment - from psychological and philosophical perspectives. He then examines Biblical notions of godly embodiment from every angle - senses, emotions, cognition, character, etc. The final chapter was so thrilling - discussing why an embodied God can give us better theology which makes us better people in the end. I I bookmarked nearly every page.

I plan to share this book with my brother and son - both serious and devoted Christians with different views about the Bible and God. As the final chapter suggests an embodied God can hep bridge interfaith differences.

[Kay's Pallet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fist theological book I've ever read that suggest God is intersexed and is accepting of transgender and non binary people. It also uses a lot of scientific example which makes this book way more enjoyable.

[Norman Falk]

Listened to Charles Halton on the OnScript podcast about this book.

[Todd Pinch · Rating 3 out of 5]

I need to save this for year 2 of seminary. Phew!!

[Wayne's · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and thoughtful.