Cross-References Preface Introduction I. The Existential Dimensions of Religion II. The Human Condition, Suffering, and Semiotics III. Universality of Religion IV. Ontological Ultimacy: Death and Life Part I. Ultimate Boundary Conditions Part I. Preliminary Remarks 1. Form as the Condition of Obligation I. Form and Human Possibility II. Value III. Obligation IV. Obligations: Moral, Social, Personal, and Natural 2. Components as the Condition for Grounded Wholeness I. Deference and Integration II. Mythos: Orientation to Wholeness III. Some Contemporary Christian Re-Mythologies IV. Comportments: Appropriation, Deference, Negotiating Change, Realism 3. Existential Location as the Condition for Engagement I. The Cosmology of Existential Location II. Contours, Value, and Otherness III. Human Engagement across the Existential Field IV. Modes of Engagement: Awareness, Appreciation, Courage, Love 4. Value-Identity as the Condition for Meaning I. The Cosmology of Value-Identity II. The Eternity of Value-Identity III. The Symbolism of Meaning IV. Modes of Achievement: Personal Goals, Contributions to Nature and Society, Facing Suffering, Relating to Ultimacy Part I. Summary Implications Part II. Predicaments and Deliverances Part II. Preliminary Remarks 5. Guilt and Justification I. Failure of Obligation: Damnation, Betrayal, Existential Refusal, Blood Guilt II. Brokenness of Obligation III. Deliverance from Moral and Social Guilt: Redemption and Restoration IV. Deliverance from Personal and Natural Guilt: Sagacity and Purification 6. Disintegration and Centeredness I. Disintegration: Alienation, Arrogance, Suffering, Delusion II. Centeredness: Deliverance from Disintegration III. Deliverance from Alienation and Arrogance: Healing and Humility IV. Deliverance from Suffering and Delusion: Comfort and Enlightenment 7. Estrangement and Connection I. Estrangements: Denial, Distortion, Despair, Hate II. Connection III. Deliverance from Denial and Distortion: Acceptance and Purgation IV. Deliverance from Despair and Hate: Faith and Reconciliation 8. Meaninglessness and Happiness I. Destruction of Meaning: Impotence, Isolation, Apathy, Non-Being II. The Ambiguity of Absolute Value-Identity III. Deliverance from Impotence and Isolation: Renunciation and Dedication IV. Deliverance from Apathy and Non-Being: Submission and Affirmation Part II. Summary Implications Part III. Ecstatic Fulfillments Part III. Preliminary Remarks 9. Ecstatic Meaning in Time I. Meaning in Life II. Historical Apocalyptic III. Cosmic Apocalyptic IV. Time within Eternity 10. Ecstatic Life in Eternity I. The Problem of Ultimate Meaning II. Mapping the Infinite onto the Finite III. Eternal Life and Its Temporal Maps IV. The Truth of Finite Symbols of Ultimate Meaning 11. Ecstatic Love I. Gratuity II. Arbitrariness III. Undeservedness IV. Surprise 12. Ecstatic Freedom I. Cosmological Freedom II. Release from Attachment to Finding Meaning III. Freedom in Becoming a Sign of Ultimacy IV. Freedom to Love Part III. Summary Implications Part IV. Engagement and Participation Part IV. Preliminary Remarks 13. Ritual I. Anthropological Understandings of Ritual II. A Ritual Analysis III. Confucian Understandings of Ritual IV. Ritual Engagement 14. Commitment I. Bio-Developmental Dimensions of Commitment II. Religious Commitment and Worldviews III. Intensity of Religious Commitment IV. Sharing of Religious Commitment 15. The Life of Faith I. Preparation II. Presence and Action III. Relationships IV. Faith Enduring Change and Death 16. Inhabitation of a Sacred Worldview I. Sacred Worldviews II. Inhabiting Absolute Value-Identity III. The Ontological Shock of Creation IV. Chaos and Containment Part IV. Summary Implications Notes Bibliography Index