In a culture firmly grounded in scientific thought, it has become common to think of "God" as the label we use for natural law, the creative, organizational forces in the universe, rather than as a great, omniscient Being. Is it possible to imagine such a God as being conscious? This is the question at the heart of this book. Through an exploration of human consciousness, emergence theory, and Jewish thought and belief, David Nelson constructs an intriguing new model by which we may think about God as a sentient Self without sacrificing our commitment to rationality. This bold, innovative approach will challenge believers and skeptics alike, and will lead readers of all faiths to think deeply about God, community, and the experience of being human.

David W. Nelson teaches religion and Jewish studies, and serves as campus rabbi at Bard College in Annandale on Hudson, New York.