by David Steindl-Rast. Published by Orbis Books, 2021. Reviewed by Katie O’Connor

In 99 Names of God, David Steindl-Rast offers reflections on the 99 names of God found in the Islamic Creed. The book is lovely in its simplicity with each Divine name rendered in its original Arabic by master calligrapher Shams Anwari-Alhosseyni.

The reflections offer a fresh way of thinking about the meaning of the words we use when we try to describe and name God. Many are beautiful, like “the Most Gracious” and “the Knower of the Impulses of the Heart”. Some are familiar: “the Almighty” and “the Creator”. Others I found more challenging, like: “the Withholder”, “the Reducer”, “the Bringer of Death”. With each name, David helps us to look more deeply and prayerfully into what he calls the Great Mystery.

In the Introduction David writes: “This book is dedicated to the people — of any and all religious denominations — who dare to pass through the gates of the many different names of God into the one nameless Mystery that unites us all.”

I found meditating on the 99 names nourishing and thought-provoking. This book is a little gem that deserves its place on the bedside table.

Tui Motu Magazine. Issue 262 August 2021: 27