The Evolving Portrait of the Divine
In the Torah, God is depicted as an absolute, omnipotent creator and ruler of the universe, endowed with personal qualities and engaging in direct communication with His creation. Thus, the Torah emphasizes that God is not a vague or decentralized force, as may be found in pantheistic systems, but rather appears as an active, personally involved presence in the life of the world and its people. For example, one source states:"Discussing the nature of God in the Judeo-Christian context, we can note that in the Torah God is presented as an absolute and all-powerful creator and ruler of the universe. Unlike pantheistic beliefs, where the divine is diffused throughout nature, the God of the Torah is personal and interacts with the world and His creations on a personal level." (source: link txt)Modern religious views, while based on these traditional representations, have evolved under the influence of various philosophical, cultural, and scientific ideas. One significant aspect is the interpretation of traditional texts, which, starting from the works of medieval philosophers, became the foundation for the further development of concepts about God.
This is illustrated in the following statement:"Where do modern religious conceptions of God come from?One of the essential factors is the interpretation of traditional religious texts. In particular, biblical texts laid the groundwork for the proof of God's Existence, as developed in the Middle Ages by philosophers such as Anselm of Canterbury." (source: link txt)Moreover, contemporary understandings of God are often characterized as a dynamic synthesis of traditional doctrines and new ideas, allowing religious movements to adapt to the challenges of the time. The interplay of traditional views, such as those embedded in the Torah, with modern interpretations leads to a multi-layered picture where the focus is not only on the personal connection between humans and God but also on reflecting on God's role in a rapidly changing world. This is evident from the following remark:"Interaction of traditional and modern religious conceptions of God involves a multi-layered dynamic, ranging from the inherent nature to the unique Creator." (source: link txt)Thus, in the Torah, God appears as a personal and absolute principle with creative and governing power, while modern religious perspectives, expanding on this tradition, strive to integrate it with contemporary philosophical and cultural realities—all the while preserving the central importance of the personal relationship between humanity and the divine.