Responsive Phenomenology of God: On Varying Divine Evidence

A 'phenomenology of God' will characterize human experience of God, at least regarding some of its distinctive aspects. This article contends that theism acknowledging a God worthy of worship owes its ultimate credibility to a morally relevant phenomenology of God, given the centrality of God's unique moral character and will in all things divine. The neglect of such a phenomenology has left many versions of theism speculative and uncompelling, even if they call themselves a 'phenomenology of the Spirit'. So, inquirers about a God worthy of worship should attend carefully to the prospect of a morally relevant phenomenology of God. The article explains that this phenomenology is interpersonally responsive and thus interactive in a manner foreign to typical moral phenomenology, and that it contributes to an illuminating approach to varying divine evidence among humans. The article also identifies a morally relevant challenge, based in conscience, for sincere inquirers about God.