A review by slsilver76
The Bible: A Biography by Karen Armstrong

4.0

An accessible, if somewhat biased, overview of how people of faith have viewed, understood, and interpreted the Bible over time. A good introduction to the changing views of the Bible over time, and among different groups. She does tend to focus on marginal views at times to the exclusion of the dominant view. A quote from the epilogue perhaps sums up her approach and viewpoint best: "The modern habit of quoting proof-texts to legitimize policies and rulings is out of key with interpretive tradition....scripture was not really a text but an activity, a spiritual process that introduced thousands of people to transcendence." A worthwhile read for those struggling with understanding what the Bible is in our pluralistic and historically critical times. Also a worthwhile read for those with firmly rooted viewpoints about scripture that are willing to have their worldviews challenged by voices from other traditions and historical periods.