Cross References Preface Acknowledgments Introduction I. The Hypothesis II. Defining Religion III. Identifying Religion in Public Discourse IV. Distinguishing Marks of Philosophical Theology Part I. Ultimates Defined Part I. Preliminary Remarks 1. Sacred Canopies I. A Theory of Sacred Canopies II. Finite/Infinite Contrasts III. World-Defining Human Problems IV. Truth in Sacred Canopies 2. Reference, Reduction, Philosophy, and Metaphysics I. The Presupposition of Real Reference II. The Scientific Bracketing of Real Reference III. Philosophy’s Control for Reductionism IV. Metaphysics Explained and Defended 3. Symbolic Engagement I. Interpretation as Engagement II. The Pragmatic Heritage III. Iconic, Indexical, and Conventional Reference in Extension and Intention IV. Engaging Finite/Infinite Contrasts 4. Worldviews I. Orientation and Worldviews: The Sacred/Mundane Continuum II. The Transcendence/Intimacy Continuum III. The Sophistication/Popular Culture Continuum IV. The Existential Continua: Sharing, Comprehensiveness, Intensity Part I. Summary Implications Part II. Ultimates Symbolized Part II. Preliminary Remarks 5. Ultimate Reality and Ultimate Concern I. Ultimate and Proximate Concerns II. Ultimacy and Dialectic III. Ultimate Concern as a Function of True Ultimacy IV. Tensions along the Worldview Continua 6. Toward Transcendent Symbols of Ultimacy I. Scale II. Idolatry III. Explanation: Metaphysics IV. Experience 7. Toward Intimate Symbols of Ultimacy I. Nature’s Depths II. The Uncanny Familiar III. Human Meaning IV. Human Correction 8. Ultimacy in Theological Framing: Ontology and Narrative I. Narrative of the Divine II. Narrative of the People III. The Symbolic Falsehood of All Narratives IV. Living with Broken Narratives and Humanized Transcendents Part II. Summary Implications Part III. Ultimates Demonstrated Part III. Preliminary Remarks 9. The Metaphysics of Ontological Ultimacy I. Ultimate Reality, Being, and the Problem of the One and the Many II. Whether Being Is One or Many III. Whether Being Is Analogical or Univocal IV. Whether Being Is Determinate or Indeterminate 10. The Metaphysics of Cosmological Ultimacy I. Determinates as Harmony: Essential and Conditional Components II. Transcendental Elements of Harmony: Form and Components III. Transcendental Elements of Harmony: Existential Location IV. Transcendental Elements of Harmony: Achieved Value-Identity 11. Proof of an Ultimate Ontological Creative Act I. Radical Contingency and the Ontological Context of Mutual Relevance II. Proof of an Ontological Creative Act III. The Determinate World as the End of the Act IV. Abyss in the Act: Symmetry of the Concept versus Asymmetry of What Is Conceived 12. The Ontological Ultimate: An Act of Creation I. The Nature of the Ultimate Act as Created II. The Eternity of Creation III. Time and Eternity in the Three Modes of Time IV. Eternity as Ontological and Cosmological Ultimate Reality Part III. Summary Implications Part IV. Ultimates Known Part IV. Preliminary Remarks 13. What Can Be Known about Ultimacy I. The Ultimate as Modeled: God, Consciousness, Emergence II. Ultimacy and the Transcendentals: Form, Components, Existential Location, Value-Identity III. Eternity and the Divine Life IV. Ultimacy in Extension and Intension 14. What Cannot Be Known about Ultimacy I. The Ultimate Has No Intrinsic Nature apart from Creation II. The Ultimate and Other Possible Worlds III. The Ultimate is Not a Person IV. The Ultimate and Intelligibility 15. Symbolic Engagement as Praying the Ultimate I. Theological Understanding as a Sign II. Multiple Symbols along the Sophistication/Popular Religion, Transcendence/Intimacy, and Sacred/Mundane Continua III. Systematic Thinking for Controlling Symbols IV. Thinking the Ultimate 16. Mystical Engagement I. The Path of Meditation: Nondualism II. The Path of Contemplation: Suchness III. The Path of the Mystical Abyss IV. The Path of Love Part IV. Summary Implications Notes Bibliography Index