Saturday, March 31, 2007

A History of God

By Karen Armstrong

In this book, Armstrong looks at how the idea of God developed and changed in the three monotheistic religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. It's a fascinating look at the history of religion from its earliest beginnings in the Middle East up to the 1980s. (The book was published in 1993.) It shows how very much alike we all our in our thinking and our beliefs about God. It also explores the different ways people have come to view God, from a far off and rather indifferent sky god, to the rationalistic view of God, to the anthropomorphous, personal God and to the mystical, intuitively experienced God of Kabbalah, Sufism & Greek Orthodox Christianity. (According to Armstrong, mysticism never really took hold in the western Christian churches.)
Armstrong never says how she herself thinks of God, though it seems at times that she tends towards Islamism and perhaps even mysticism. One thing for sure, she really doesn't like or approve of fundamentalism, which she believes is a blight on civilized society. But she also points out that atheism has not made humanity happier either.

I found this book really informative, although I read it knowing that the author was pretty secular in her view point. If you are offended by this kind of worldly speculations about religion and God, then don't read this book. But if you have a curious and open mind and are firm in your faith, read it with caution.

Review from The Guardian:   https://www.theguardian.com/books/2009/jul/04/case-for-god-karen-armstrong.

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