The Sublime In Heschel's Depth-theology

The Depth-theology is a great theological concept theorized by Abraham Heschel, who is one of the most important religionists of Judaism in 20-century.The theme of the present study is the act of believing. Its purpose is to explore the depth of faith, and also the substratum out of which belief arises. Heschel's sublimity is different from the sublime in aesthetics. It is the great element which represents the surpassing spirit. The sublimity is a peculiar quality of the Hebrew Bible and great spirit in Judaism. In Depth-theology, Heschel considered the sublime is that which we see and are unable to convey. It is the silent allusion of things to a meaning greater than themselves. The sublime is not the ultimate, but it is towards to the ultimate. According to Heschel,the ultimate is the living God.In Depth-theology, the God, sympathetic God, can understand man's situation and ideas. God in search of man realizes his Mission in this world. As the companion of God, man should respond to God to share his work. It will make their life meaningful and holy. The sublime alludes the behavior of God, and it guide man to respond to God. If a man wants to do so, he should do radical self-understanding, understand who is man, and what is the meaning of being a man. Seeking meaning demands man to surpass themselves, and to make their eyes wide. The power and the beauty is not enough, the sublime is more important in this way. To respond the sublime is the sign of the inward greatness of a man. The great being of man promotes man to live in an ideal way.Modern people pay more attention to usage than to the sublime. Thispragmatism could not give them authentic happiness but rich material. Heschel hopes that this traditional wisdom, the sublime could be helpful curing the spiritual weakness of modern people, and make them back to purity and sanctity.The first section: It interprets the content of Heschel's sublimity in his Depth-theology, and distincts Heschel's sublimity from aesthetic sublimity.The second section: The sublime plays an important role in the process of the searching between God and man.The third section: We should understand the sublime in the behavior of belief, perceive the sublime again and make the sublime surpassing itself.The forth section: Modern people face many problems, one of the most important reason of which is ignoring the sublime. So the sublime of Heschel is realistic. To regain the sublime is beneficial to people to improve the living situation, and to approach the ideal living condition of poetical dwelling.