Being in the Presence of God A Study of Subjective Religious Experience

What does it feel like to be in the presence of God?This book examines the claims of direct religious experience and their role in shaping confidence in God’s relational nature. Drawing on theology, philosophy, and Christian meditative practice, it engages with classic thinkers such as Schleiermacher, William James, and Whitehead to explore whether human experience can transcend ordinary sensory life. Hooton gives prominence to a process view of the universe that weaves God and experience into the basic structure of reality; in doing so, it makes a compelling case for the authenticity of mystical perception and its significance for faith. It also addresses critiques of religious subjectivism, showing how these strengthen rather than weaken the case for divine–human interaction. Ideal for students, scholars, and anyone intrigued by the possibility of encountering God beyond the limits of sense perception.