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hirvimaki's review against another edition
4.0
Bravo Karen Armstrong! A wonderful, compelling and thorough work! This is a must read for anyone interested to know more about the roots of monotheistic religion, and especially to understand some of the differences between the Western and Eastern churches.
This is a work that is extremely well documented; each averment is backed by historical documents and/or historical evidence. The glossary is a treasure in itself.
For the Western Christian, Ms. Armstrong presents an insightful view of the other two monotheistic traditions, i.e. Judaism and Islam. She performs this task admirably, and contrary to some critics, I believe, in a balanced way.
Ms. Armstrong places the evolution of the God-concept into its various cultural and political contexts, which brings a further depth to the understanding of why people view God in a particular way, and without which, those beliefs appear to be merely wholesale superstition.
Don't pick this up if you do not want to question your personal conceptions of God. Do give it it a read if you want to know know about the rich cultural history of the monotheistic religions and grow your appreciation and understanding of the ineffable God.
This is a work that is extremely well documented; each averment is backed by historical documents and/or historical evidence. The glossary is a treasure in itself.
For the Western Christian, Ms. Armstrong presents an insightful view of the other two monotheistic traditions, i.e. Judaism and Islam. She performs this task admirably, and contrary to some critics, I believe, in a balanced way.
Ms. Armstrong places the evolution of the God-concept into its various cultural and political contexts, which brings a further depth to the understanding of why people view God in a particular way, and without which, those beliefs appear to be merely wholesale superstition.
Don't pick this up if you do not want to question your personal conceptions of God. Do give it it a read if you want to know know about the rich cultural history of the monotheistic religions and grow your appreciation and understanding of the ineffable God.
bittersweet_symphony's review against another edition
5.0
Armstrong has a dizzying intellect and draws from a mind-boggling body of texts and volumes to summarize this complicated--and convoluted--concept. This took me a few months to finish. I have an article linked below, which expounds more upon Armstrong's defense of a particular form of Mystical Agnosticism. Her argument contrasts with the warring between theists and atheists over a literal and historical God. These debates should mostly be left behind, for they prove detrimental, or distract us from experiencing the unknowable and transcendent Other.
I'm moving her up in my reading list, having bought 2 more of her books, including her short volume on the history of Myth.
You can read my in-depth review "As Believers and Atheists, We Need Deeper Reverence for Mystery"t at Erraticus.
I'm moving her up in my reading list, having bought 2 more of her books, including her short volume on the history of Myth.
You can read my in-depth review "As Believers and Atheists, We Need Deeper Reverence for Mystery"t at Erraticus.
nichecase's review against another edition
3.0
a real accomplishment - the first three chapters were incredible. while the rest is extremely informative (though i'm unsure how much i'll remember), for me the book began to get a little dry when a whole chapter was devoted to doctrinal debates over the trinity. (the most interesting part of this chapter by far was the fact that arius put his own interpretation of the trinity into what seemed to have been a very catchy song.) what i will say is this: she manages to make the trinity both readable and understandable, which is a very difficult task. readability and understanding are her two major virtues throughout the book, and they should not be understated when it comes to such a vast and complex topic as the history of monotheism.
aligrint's review against another edition
5.0
This book is taking me forever to read.
But anyway, thoughts.
The author's neutrality towards God is incredibly impressive and quite a relief after a few of the works I've read lately. Although I do wish that there were more time spent on non-Abrahamic religions, there just aren't many other major monotheistic ones...
The account of the creation of the Trinity, which I feel like I've read at least four times in different places, really annoyed me... the unknowable paradox of the Trinity, which I had always thought (back in the dizzle) was something basic to Christianity, seems to be just the haphazard result of lots of stupid bickering. And then now that real Christian philosophy dies, we get an oversimplified, anthropomorphisized, really... backwards attempt to package all facets of God into Jesus. The fact is, belief in Jesus as divine and all-encompassing just isn't 'original' or, really, fundamental to Jesus's teachings.
So says I, at least. I'll add more as I think more.
But anyway, thoughts.
The author's neutrality towards God is incredibly impressive and quite a relief after a few of the works I've read lately. Although I do wish that there were more time spent on non-Abrahamic religions, there just aren't many other major monotheistic ones...
The account of the creation of the Trinity, which I feel like I've read at least four times in different places, really annoyed me... the unknowable paradox of the Trinity, which I had always thought (back in the dizzle) was something basic to Christianity, seems to be just the haphazard result of lots of stupid bickering. And then now that real Christian philosophy dies, we get an oversimplified, anthropomorphisized, really... backwards attempt to package all facets of God into Jesus. The fact is, belief in Jesus as divine and all-encompassing just isn't 'original' or, really, fundamental to Jesus's teachings.
So says I, at least. I'll add more as I think more.
vaughtgn's review against another edition
informative
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
A History of God is a dense, dense book but I am so glad I read it. I learned so much about different ways that people have approached God and religion.
alchemist_zero's review against another edition
5.0
While definitely on the pop history side of things compared to say someone like Mark S Smith, it was still a fascinating and informative read on the history of theology in the three major abrahamic traditions. A bit dry but not enough to knock it down a star for me.
john_quixote's review against another edition
This book ended up being too academic for the light read I wanted. Amazingly informative, but a little too dense for my tastes.
shyfroglet's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
fast-paced
5.0
Before reading this book, I struggled to answer the question, “What book do you think everyone should read?”. Now, A History of God is that book for me.
Yes, it’s dense. Yes, it’s by no means an easy read. I still enjoyed it throughly. It feels like such and important read for religious people and atheists alike because it deals with the somewhat nebulous concept of “God” in a practical, relatable, and useful way. Karen Armstrong isn’t arguing for any particular version of God per se (though her own religious views do sometimes slip through). Instead she takes the reader on a journey from the earliest days of paganism through the end of the 20th century. And it’s certainly a wild ride. I’m and atheist with an interest in theology and religious history, and this book scratched both those itches. I’m looking forward to tackling Armstrong’s The Fight for God in the future.
Yes, it’s dense. Yes, it’s by no means an easy read. I still enjoyed it throughly. It feels like such and important read for religious people and atheists alike because it deals with the somewhat nebulous concept of “God” in a practical, relatable, and useful way. Karen Armstrong isn’t arguing for any particular version of God per se (though her own religious views do sometimes slip through). Instead she takes the reader on a journey from the earliest days of paganism through the end of the 20th century. And it’s certainly a wild ride. I’m and atheist with an interest in theology and religious history, and this book scratched both those itches. I’m looking forward to tackling Armstrong’s The Fight for God in the future.