Thou Art That: Transforming Religious Metaphor [Paperback]

Woven from Joseph Campbell’s previously unpublished work, this volume explores Judeo-Christian symbols and metaphors — and their misinterpretations — with the famed mythologist’s characteristic conversational warmth and accessible scholarship. Campbell’s insights highlight centuries of confusion between literal and metaphorical interpretations of Western religious symbols that are, he argues, perennially relevant keys to spiritual understanding and mystical revelation.

“[A] romp through the Judeo-Christian tradition — a lightning-paced tour with an extremely knowledgeable and provocative guide to illuminate some intriguing, untrammeled paths.”
—Publishers Weekly(starred review)

“It is Campbell the armchair speaker who shines through, buoyant with life and with comments that are eerily relevant to current times.”
—Parabola

“The work confirms the commonality of the human experience. A much-needed prescription in today’s world.”
—San Francisco Chronicle

Joseph Campbell(1904–1987) is widely credited with bringing mythology to a mass audience. His works, including the four-volumeThe Masks of GodandThe Power of Myth(with Bill Moyers), rank among the classics in mythology and literature.Eugene Kennedy, PhDis a psychologist, syndicated columnist, and a professor emeritus of Loyola University Chicago. A laicized Catholic priest, he has written over fifty books on psychology, religion, the Catholic church, and the psychology of religion.