God the Known and God the Unknown

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Butler, Samuel, 1835-1902

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource : multiple file formats

Place of Publication:

Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg,

Summary:

"God the Known and God the Unknown" by Samuel Butler is a philosophical treatise written in the late 19th century. The text examines concepts of God, spirituality, and the nature of life from a perspective that intertwines scientific inquiry with theological questions. It presents an exploration of what we can know about God, differentiating between the personal God of traditional theology and a more expansive, impersonal conception of a life force or unity that connects all living things. In the book, Butler discusses the inadequacies of both Pantheism and orthodox theism, arguing for a deeper understanding of God as a living entity whose essence pervades all life on Earth. He posits that humans, animals, and plants all share a common spirit and are thus part of a single, greater organism. Through this lens, Butler attempts to bridge the gap between the known (our tangible experiences of life) and the unknown (the vast, unknowable nature of God). He addresses how the characteristics of life can help us understand the divine, suggesting that rather than focusing solely on doctrine, individuals can encounter God through the richness of life itself. Ultimately, the text encourages readers to reconsider traditional views of divinity and adopt a holistic approach to existence. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Credits:

Produced by Elliot S. Wheeler, and David Widger

Notes:

Reading ease score: 50.0 (10th to 12th grade). Somewhat difficult to read.

Release date is 2001-02-01