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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
A really good overview of major movements in Islam, Judaism and Christianity in respect to their viewpoints about God.
I did feel like the author neglected a lot of the negative aspects of mysticism (particularly in modern Christian Eastern Orthodoxy). Their views on the nature of god haven't changed on paper, but some of the core beliefs have been used as a tool of the state in a negative way. I know Armstrong largely eschews the political aspects of these religions (for example Zionism is mentioned only very briefly. Not to mention Cromwell's Great Britain), but I feel it's worth a mention. Also, in my understanding of their theology, EO's mystical God is still very gendered. The male- only priesthood is also very problematic.
I did feel like the author neglected a lot of the negative aspects of mysticism (particularly in modern Christian Eastern Orthodoxy). Their views on the nature of god haven't changed on paper, but some of the core beliefs have been used as a tool of the state in a negative way. I know Armstrong largely eschews the political aspects of these religions (for example Zionism is mentioned only very briefly. Not to mention Cromwell's Great Britain), but I feel it's worth a mention. Also, in my understanding of their theology, EO's mystical God is still very gendered. The male- only priesthood is also very problematic.
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Karen Armstrong unravels the history of religion in A History of God:The 4,000 - Year Quest of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. This exploration of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam explores the similarities and differences as well as the growth and intercnnectivity of these three monotheistic religions. Armstrong delves into historic inaccuracies of commonly held beliefs of religion while explaining the origins of those beliefs. Anyone wishing to better understand their own religion or the religions of others will be well-served by reading A History of God. Armstrong brings her theology backgraound to this well-researched, interesting, and enlightening book.
I've read several books by Karen Armstrong; each one feels like a lifetime of work, with an enormous amount of detail and insight. I thought this one was particularly excellent and impressive.
Outstanding survey-type overview of the history and theology of the Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam). Armstrong's ability to synthesize the information in ways which demonstrate the complexity of the relationship within these three faiths is amazing. This book is definitely not an introductory text written for the novice. It's a densely packed academic work, which will open a world of knowledge and questions to those interested in a deeper look at the Abrahamic traditions.
I think that you can read this book from 2 perspectives. A nonbeliever could say that the history is a proof that religion/God serves as a way to satisfy needs/questions of people of whatever time period they are in. A believer could say that it is a proof of God’s revelations and our perception of him throughout history.
Ironically, the first interpretation sometimes compels me to be a believer more than the second because even after all these years and religious conflicts man still has this longing for something transcendent that doesn’t seem to be manufactured by the powers that be necessarily.
Ironically, the first interpretation sometimes compels me to be a believer more than the second because even after all these years and religious conflicts man still has this longing for something transcendent that doesn’t seem to be manufactured by the powers that be necessarily.
This book is very dense, so you need to put in real effort in order to get through. The chapters could use some subheadings and paragraphs with roadmaps explaining what the author will cover so the reader doesn’t get lost in her one-paragraph pages. She sometimes makes no distinction in-text between history and religious scriptures/ stories, which can get a bit confusing. I still learned a ton about the history of the three monotheistic religions!
This book is fascinating, but also an incredibly challenging read. I felt as though I absorbed about 15% of the total wisdom it contains.
In a nutshell, this book examines the history of God in the three monotheistic religions, Christianity, Islam and Judaism. It begins before the birth of Christ with a time of many Gods and examines how the belief in a single God developed. It then traces the development of these three religions through history and critically examines how perceptions of God changed due to the social influence and contemporary thinkers of the time. My favourite chapters were at the end - they included an examination of how God is perceived in modern times and a call to return to the original teachings of mercy and compassion and away from the exclusionary tendencies of fundamentalism in each of the religions.
In a nutshell, this book examines the history of God in the three monotheistic religions, Christianity, Islam and Judaism. It begins before the birth of Christ with a time of many Gods and examines how the belief in a single God developed. It then traces the development of these three religions through history and critically examines how perceptions of God changed due to the social influence and contemporary thinkers of the time. My favourite chapters were at the end - they included an examination of how God is perceived in modern times and a call to return to the original teachings of mercy and compassion and away from the exclusionary tendencies of fundamentalism in each of the religions.