All but two of the essays included in this book were previously published in full, but many are in proceedings volumes or periodicals not likely to be readily available. Their presentation here in logical groupings is a useful service. In a prophetic and oracular style, Heschel presents existentialist perceptions from a Jewish standpoint on subjects such as "Religion in a Free Society," "Religion and Race," "Depth Theology," "Sacred Image of Man," "The Ecumenical Movement," "Prayer as Discipline," and "Jews in the (...) Soviet Union." Illustrative of his style is the following paragraph: "Every child is a prince; every man is obliged to feel that the world was created for his sake. Man is not the measure of all things, but the means by which to accomplish all tasks." Of the difference between ordinary theology and depth theology, he writes: "Theology strives for communication...; depth theology strives for insight.... Theology is like sculpture, depth theology is like music. Theology is in the books; depth theology is in the hearts.... Theologies divide us; depth theology unites us." The author describes religion as made up not only of ritual and myth, which are generally recognized as essential components, but also of a vital additional ingredient, namely, "innerness". Innerness, he concludes, is "the heart of religious existence."—W. G. (shrink)

Among the main themes of this book are the positions that "Evil is an inherent element in the universe" ; that the Devil is real in the sense that an evil impulse is part of man’s composition, and it will persist as long as man continues to be man; that man without the Devil would be a brute without responsibility, without temptation, without the possibility of greatness; that evil is a positive entity, a "deliberate outrage on the Good," and not (...) merely the absence of good ; that the counterpart of bad is good, while the counterpart of evil is saintliness; that some good resides even in evil; that man can transmute tragedy into spiritual and moral transcendence; that suffering is a part of man’s dignity; and that acceptance of death can allow man to triumph in self-esteem. The author also contends that, despite the validity of determinism and predestination, freedom of choice exists, but she does not explain how. Photographs are included of 16 pertinent works of art, such as Bosch’s "The Temptation of Saint Anthony," Blake’s "Satan Exulting Over Sin," and Picasso’s "The Charnel House." Chapters on "The Devil in Myth and Legend" and "The Devil and Sex" probe especially evocative and imaginative aspects of the domain being studied.—W. G. (shrink)