God and Dreams: Is There a Connection?

At one time when an individual wanted a direct, personal experience of God that person turned to his or her dreams. The early third century Christian defender of the faith, Tertullian, observed, ＂Is it not known to all people that the dream is the most usual way that God reveals himself to man?＂ Yet by the eleventh century, King William II of England states, ＂They are not good Christians that regard dreams.＂ Why did this reversal of opinion occur, not only in Christian thinking, but in Jewish and Islamic attitudes also? God and Dreams: Is There a Connection? traces the historic connection between God and dreams and examines why this shift happened. While particular attention is given to Jewish, Christian, and Islamic thought, several secular disciplines are discussed also. After investigating the different points of view, an argument is made that the connection between God and dreams still exists.

John Pratt Bingham is an Episcopal priest in the Diocese of Northern California and a licensed marriage and family therapist in private practice in Sacramento. He is the author of Inner Treasure: Reflections on the Teachings of Jesus (1989). Connect with John Pratt Bingham at www.binghambooks.com.