Reading Our Times What do we even mean by 'God'? In conversation with David Bentley Hart
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Oct 24, 2023 
Philosopher and theologian David Bentley Hart explores the complexities of defining 'God' and the misunderstandings surrounding the concept. The podcast discusses the crisis in language, the nature of consciousness, and the longing for happiness. It also delves into the commonality of religious traditions and ways to deepen understanding through wonder, arts, and religion.
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Misunderstandings about God
- Public debates about God often involve misunderstandings.
- Different groups use the word "God" with varying meanings, leading to unproductive discussions.
Literal Readings of God
- Some atheists perceive God anthropomorphically, like in the Old Testament.
- David Bentley Hart argues this is a literal, fundamentalist reading unsuitable for mythological texts.
God and Tolstoy
- Finding a literal God in scripture is like searching for Tolstoy within Anna Karenina's characters.
- God is present throughout the text, not as a character, but as the foundation of its existence.