In 1985, Ari L. Goldman took a year's sabbatical from his job as religion correspondent for The New York Times and attended Harvard Divinity School. In The Search for God at Harvard Goldman reports on his experiences and sets them in the context of his life story. He is an orthodox Jew who graduated from Yeshiva University. The author goes to Harvard Divinity School expecting, as he puts it, "to be emotionally engaged and spiritually challenged."
Although Goldman is disappointed with the instruction he receives in Christian spirituality, he finds links between his own faith, Islam, and African religions. The student body at the divinity school is certainly diverse. Among those Goldman singles out are a lesbian, a failed businessman, and an American black Muslim. Given the serious commitment the author reveals in regard to following the rituals of orthodox Judaism, it is little wonder he concludes that "religious truth does not seem to exist at the Divinity School, only religious relativism."
The Search for God at Harvard offers an informative behind-the-scenes look at theological education in a liberal divinity school. In addition, it makes a good case for Goldman's religious devotion in a world of Gentiles and secular humanists.