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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
Perhaps one of the most thoughtful books I've read in quite some time - not only thoughtful, but contemplative as well. In just a shade under 400 pages (399 to be exact) the author traces 4,000 years of monotheism, and, perhaps more importantly, people's perception of The One God. Her writing style is very readable despite presenting quite a lot of information in a rather short space. Also, for those academic types who prefer to follow some of her sources, it is extremely well cited.
Now, is this a purely academic exercise? Not really, but perhaps most refreshing is that this book is neither an apologetic nor antagonistic. No agenda other than exploration. This is, as far as my reading went, an earnest effort to see how the larger human experience of God developed with in Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Does she leave some parts out? Yes, but anyone will have to pick and choose when condensing this much history in one place. It is rather obvious that she finds quite a lot of inspiration in the more mystical spiritual aspects of the three religions, but to me this is what is most attractive about the book, since I likewise tend to lean that direction. But overall it is quite even-handed and thoughtful. I found this to be not only a very informative read, but also very reflective and help me to put some names to the concepts floating around in my own head. I'm very much looking forward to her other book The Battle for God.
Now, is this a purely academic exercise? Not really, but perhaps most refreshing is that this book is neither an apologetic nor antagonistic. No agenda other than exploration. This is, as far as my reading went, an earnest effort to see how the larger human experience of God developed with in Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Does she leave some parts out? Yes, but anyone will have to pick and choose when condensing this much history in one place. It is rather obvious that she finds quite a lot of inspiration in the more mystical spiritual aspects of the three religions, but to me this is what is most attractive about the book, since I likewise tend to lean that direction. But overall it is quite even-handed and thoughtful. I found this to be not only a very informative read, but also very reflective and help me to put some names to the concepts floating around in my own head. I'm very much looking forward to her other book The Battle for God.
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Karen Armstrong takes an extremely dense, and vast, history of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam and weaves it into a narrative timeline that is a joy to read. While the audience for this book is likely enthusiasts of comparative religion, believers of all walks of faith should read this book to get a clearer perspective on their 'sister,' religions and the similarities that link the three together.
Armstrong's take on the history of these religions ties them inextricably together in a complex history spanning the centuries. From the early days of monotheism to more recent history, Judaism, Christianity and Islam have faced the same struggles to survive often at the expense of the others.
My biggest complaint, and really only complaint about this book, is that it may feel inaccessible to readers who do not come from an academic background. It is absolutely a must-read for these folks, but it may feel daunting to some readers.
If you enjoyed this read, I would highly recommend taking a look at Armstrong's other work. She is prolific in the field of comparative religion and many of her texts mirror the quality and thoroughness of this book.
Armstrong's take on the history of these religions ties them inextricably together in a complex history spanning the centuries. From the early days of monotheism to more recent history, Judaism, Christianity and Islam have faced the same struggles to survive often at the expense of the others.
My biggest complaint, and really only complaint about this book, is that it may feel inaccessible to readers who do not come from an academic background. It is absolutely a must-read for these folks, but it may feel daunting to some readers.
If you enjoyed this read, I would highly recommend taking a look at Armstrong's other work. She is prolific in the field of comparative religion and many of her texts mirror the quality and thoroughness of this book.
This book was very informative. I felt like a really learned something about the creation of the three "major" religions. However, this is an incredibly dense book and you should maybe have at least a passing knowledge about this topic before you start. It took me a really long time to get through because I kept leaving it to read lighter books and coming back to it. I felt, in the end, that I had a clearer understanding of the worlds different religions and how they came to be. Although I don't attend church I consider myself marginally religious and I am fascinated by religions and their histories. Both amazing good and terrible bad has been done in the name of "God" around the world, and I find it comforting to know that there are people like Karen Armstrong in the world, arguing for peace and compassion.
I would still recommend this book (or any book by Karen Armstrong) to anyone who would like a more in-depth look at religion.
I would still recommend this book (or any book by Karen Armstrong) to anyone who would like a more in-depth look at religion.
A really interesting and well written look at this history of the conception and philsophy of the God of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Got dense in parts-- I generally couldn't read for more than 40 or so minutes at a time before my brain just stopped processing words-- and I'm glad I own it so that I'll be able to look things up as I inevitably forget them.
This was a tough read for a lot of reasons. It starts like a bolt of lightning, shattering your perceptions of what you believe God to be, then it gets mired in names and dates for the entire squishy middle of the book. It really purports to be a history of the concept of God, and it does an admirable job of it!
Now if someone would just do the Cliffs Notes version, that would be great.
Now if someone would just do the Cliffs Notes version, that would be great.
I love this book! Armstrong successfully documents a cohesive yet highly readable history of the Abrahamic religions as well as people's relationship with the concept of god. She discusses in detail theologians and philosophers ranging from Aquinas to Heidegger and argues for a future of god in the world where god is pronounced dead. This is a book that is both informative and interesting for people from all belief systems.
However, one main objection I have with this book is that Armstrong seems to imply that for god to have a future, his believers must leave behind harmful fundamentalist concepts such as him being a personal god. I don't think that is useful at all, so many had tried in the past to rid religion of its more ugly elements, only to be replaced by the opposite years later. The problem of these religions is that they are all just empty signifiers, interpretations of what either cannot be interpreted or doesn't exist. on what basis, then, should we declare jihadism, and evangelicalism to be "wrong" and others "correct"? It seems to me that interpretations of this sort will always be pointless bickering about questions that can never be answered.
However, one main objection I have with this book is that Armstrong seems to imply that for god to have a future, his believers must leave behind harmful fundamentalist concepts such as him being a personal god. I don't think that is useful at all, so many had tried in the past to rid religion of its more ugly elements, only to be replaced by the opposite years later. The problem of these religions is that they are all just empty signifiers, interpretations of what either cannot be interpreted or doesn't exist. on what basis, then, should we declare jihadism, and evangelicalism to be "wrong" and others "correct"? It seems to me that interpretations of this sort will always be pointless bickering about questions that can never be answered.
I left Christianity because a book written by a nun convinced me that the story of Jesus was based off earlier pagan myths. Cool!
I was going to rate this higher until I read that nobody in the English language after Milton explored the spiritual world except for "marginal writers" like C.S. Lewis and George MacDonald. Calling either of those writers marginal (C.S. Lewis is a titan!) and ignoring Tolkien and Newman shows an ignorance of the last 200 years of English literature on top of the other problems I have with the book lol
This book was extraordinarily Informative.
The amount of research that went into it is very apparent, and I'll need multiple reads to get the full experience and absorb the information.
The amount of research that went into it is very apparent, and I'll need multiple reads to get the full experience and absorb the information.