Religion in Essence and Manifestation : A Study in Phenomenology

Religion in Essence and Manifestation by Gerardus van der Leeuw is a seminal work in the phenomenology of religion that explores the nature and experience of religion through a detailed analysis of its manifestations and essence. Van der Leeuw approaches religion as humanity’s encounter with a transcendent power that evokes awe and a sense of the sacred, emphasizing the dynamic and often nonrational (mystical) aspects underlying religious phenomena. The book is structured around a triadic framework: the object of religion (the sacred power), the subject of religion (the religious person and their experience), and the interaction between object and subject. Van der Leeuw analyzes religious behavior and attitudes to uncover the religious object, which he describes through a typology of power, form, and will. He discusses how religious experiences involve a feeling of absolute dependence and the recognition of a transcendent reality. Van der Leeuw also highlights the importance of mystical participation and the unity between subject and object as fundamental to religion. He argues that religion is not merely a historical or cultural phenomenon but involves a profound inner experience that connects humans to the divine. His phenomenology is distinct in its theological dimension, affirming that ultimate understanding comes through divine revelation and the experience of being understood by God. Overall, the book offers a comprehensive and nuanced study of religion that integrates historical, psychological, and theological insights, presenting religion as a universal human response to the sacred that shapes culture and individual identity.