ABSTRACT

This chapter analyzes the notion of transcendence, as it occurs in the context of theism. The analysis serves some important purposes. The chapter also analyzes transcendence in a way that demythologizing is possible without prior commitment to a metaphysical system, even if the idea of transcendence is itself in a loose sense a 'metaphysical' one. The existence of divergent religious and theological viewpoints within Christianity may be important, but there is no reason to suppose that there is not an implied substantial agreement about the transcendence of God. In any case, religious doctrinal schemes are organic, and a particular notion of transcendence has to be taken in its context, if we are to attain a reasonably rich understanding of it. Transcendence comprises, or is only intelligible by reference to, five elements: nonspatiality, secret omnipresence, special presence, independence and creativity.