A History of God: The 4,000-Year Quest of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam (Armstrong, Karen)
by Karen Armstrong
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Read in January, 2008
Whew. I thought I'd never finish this book. But two months later, I somehow managed to get to the end. Now, what to say about it?
I started this book knowing a moderate amount about the history of Christianity, a small amount about Judaism, and much too little about Islam. I relied heavily on my previous knowledge of Christianity and Judaism to make sense of Armstrong's extremely dense, often repetitive, and (to use her favorite word) esoteric prose. I found it a real challenge to keep up wit...more
I started this book knowing a moderate amount about the history of Christianity, a small amount about Judaism, and much too little about Islam. I relied heavily on my previous knowledge of Christianity and Judaism to make sense of Armstrong's extremely dense, often repetitive, and (to use her favorite word) esoteric prose. I found it a real challenge to keep up wit...more
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Read in January, 1994
I was surprised by the number of times A.J. Jacobs cited this book and quoted from it in his "The Year of Living Biblically." Of course, I shouldn't have been surprised because i use it myself as a reference tool since it has a fine index and excellent bibliography.
One friend described this work as "chewy". Another noted that her succinct and concise summaries of complex beliefs reflected her journalistic background. Both of these are correct. Karen Armstrong gives us th...more
One friend described this work as "chewy". Another noted that her succinct and concise summaries of complex beliefs reflected her journalistic background. Both of these are correct. Karen Armstrong gives us th...more
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Read in February, 2008
This is one of those books that make me feel woefully deficient in a certain subject. Having never taken a comparative religion class, and in fact bordering on an antiestablishment stance when it comes to organized religion, I can only conclude that this book was not the place to start.
The first couple of chapters which reviewed mankinds evolution from a polythesim to the monothesims of Judiasm, Christianity, and Islam were interesting, and for me blessedly linear and understandable...more
The first couple of chapters which reviewed mankinds evolution from a polythesim to the monothesims of Judiasm, Christianity, and Islam were interesting, and for me blessedly linear and understandable...more
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Be warned: A History of God is not a tidy linear history. Rather, we learn that the definition of God is constantly being repeated, altered, discarded, and resurrected through the ages, responding to its followers' practical concerns rather than to mystical mandates. Armstrong also shows us how Judaism, Christianity, and Islam have overlapped and influenced one another, gently challenging the secularist history of each of these religions.
Armstrong, a British journalist and former nun, guides u...more
Armstrong, a British journalist and former nun, guides u...more
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Read in January, 2001
Armstrong's "History of God", much like Jaspers' "Great Philosophers", is a truly first rate introduction to the field of religious history for three primary reasons. Firstly, as somebody relatively unfamiliar with the major monotheistic traditions, I found the breadth and scope of the work to be simply amazing. The variety of periods which Armstrong covers and the extent to which she covers them makes even a new comer to the field such as myself leave the work with a signifi...more
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Read in January, 2008
I'm a huge fan of Karen Armstrong, although "fan" seems an odd word choice when discussing an intelligent, articulate and scholarly writer on theology. Nonetheless, I've enjoyed (and been educated by) everything I've ever read by Armstrong, so I'll stick with "fan."
A History of God is no exception. I found it to be a lucid, unbiased telling of how God, by whichever name we choose to use, evolved over time in the theological and popular cultures throughout Arabia and the...more
A History of God is no exception. I found it to be a lucid, unbiased telling of how God, by whichever name we choose to use, evolved over time in the theological and popular cultures throughout Arabia and the...more
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Read in January, 2008
recommended to Chaundra by:
Stephen Siardrecommends it for: spiritual seekers, historians, curious types
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, ...more
Now, ...more
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From Publishers Weekly
This searching, profound comparative history of the three major monotheistic faiths fearlessly illuminates the sociopolitical ground in which religious ideas take root, blossom and mutate. Armstrong, a British broadcaster, commentator on religious affairs and former Roman Catholic nun, argues that Judaism, Christianity and Islam each developed the idea of a personal God, which has helped believers to mature as full human beings. Yet Armstrong also acknowledges that the id...more
This searching, profound comparative history of the three major monotheistic faiths fearlessly illuminates the sociopolitical ground in which religious ideas take root, blossom and mutate. Armstrong, a British broadcaster, commentator on religious affairs and former Roman Catholic nun, argues that Judaism, Christianity and Islam each developed the idea of a personal God, which has helped believers to mature as full human beings. Yet Armstrong also acknowledges that the id...more
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Read in July, 2008
tough read esp the middle part
but basically liked the end because:
(1) for believers - you'll see how the conception of GOD changes through time and it's sort of inevitable ( however real GOD is and can be). We fit GOD into our needs
(2) for atheists - that even at the end of the day when you remove GOD from your life, you'll end up filling that emptiness with sth else. Basically you still need that spiritual stuff there in your brain (whatever you call it)
Other salient points:
(1...more
but basically liked the end because:
(1) for believers - you'll see how the conception of GOD changes through time and it's sort of inevitable ( however real GOD is and can be). We fit GOD into our needs
(2) for atheists - that even at the end of the day when you remove GOD from your life, you'll end up filling that emptiness with sth else. Basically you still need that spiritual stuff there in your brain (whatever you call it)
Other salient points:
(1...more
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Read in February, 2008
this is exactly what i was looking for. an insightful account of the religions of the book from babylon to modern times. i thought of course that this would be impossible, but no... i was just reading the wrong books. karen armstrong is refreshingly unbiased on a subject that most people are too close to to see properly. she also deeply understands the ideas she talks about, so that her prose is both historical and intelligent and at the same time conveys the wonder that faith inspires across...more
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Read in April, 2007
while definitely a bit dry and repetitive, an informative history of the developments of judaism, christianity and islam. the book is well indexed and as such should serve as a useful reference in the future. the author attempts to chronicle the evolution of the idea of a single god. she writes from an objective point of view and does not argue for or against the benefit of what richard dawkins would call the god delusion.
the unbelievable conclusion given current events? that the orth...more
the unbelievable conclusion given current events? that the orth...more
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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...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...more
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Read in January, 2008
While this is an excellent summary of the history of the idea of God in Abrahamic religion, and I highly recommend it, I cannot give it five stars for third reasons. First, the author is overly generous in her assumptions concerning the literal interpretation of myth. For example, she asserts that the creation myths of Sumeria, Canaan, and Egypt were not intended to explain the origins of the world. Second, in her attempts at syncretism she sometimes overlooks very real, significant and extremel...more
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Read in April, 2008
recommends it for:
all those on a spiritual journey, or questioning unquestioning faith
Armstrong's history, complicated yet deftly simplified, of the interwoven developments of the major three monotheisms sheds some light in these dark times. It was interesting to see how the religions originated, influenced and challenged each other intellectually and socially, how peoples utilized or discarded theological ideas to suit the times and address crises. Most interesting was the discussion of the development of Islam as a cultural and political force, and of the problematic nature o...more
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Has a copy to sell/swap
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Read in November, 2007
recommends it for:
Students of history, the religiously curious
Well-written, well-researched, interesting overview of the history of monotheism. The author's Western Christian background is often evident, but rarely overpowering. In general the book is quite open-minded toward other varieties of religious experience, but makes some very sweeping statements about certain other religions in passing.
Nonetheless, minor drawbacks aside, I'm glad I read this book, I enjoyed reading it, and it provided me with much to think about. It also gave me a lot of perspe...more
Nonetheless, minor drawbacks aside, I'm glad I read this book, I enjoyed reading it, and it provided me with much to think about. It also gave me a lot of perspe...more
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Read in February, 2008
This is an amazing book. Armstrong outlines how theologists in the three Abrahamic traditions have viewed God throughout history. She is very respectful and draws what is meaningful from the various perspectives. I did have some concern at parts of the book where I wondered if she was interpreting a theologist or two with her own perspective in mind, but it really motivated me to dig into more of their words directly. Also, I felt that she was more critical of Christianity then the other fai...more
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Read in October, 2007
Well, the subtitle probably should have been "why Christianity sucks and Islam rules". There are so many examples of Armstrong making questionable comparisons (the catholic v. sufi mystics being the most obvious). My favorite is at the end where she castigates the (christian) U.S. for the re-establishment of capital punishment as "not a sign of a spiritually healthy society". No mention of how decapitation and stoning are routine sentences in spiritually healthy societies ...more
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Read in September, 2007
Duhhh...pusing bgt baca buku ini coz aq jadi harus bolak-balik buku2 sejarah (cepe' de...)
Tapi kuyakinkan diri ini tuk bisa menangkap, mempelajari, memahami sinyal2 keberadaan dan ke-Esaan Allah berdasarkan pandangan Karen Amstrong yang nota bene seorang mu'alaf. melalui hasil penelitian yang sangat mendalam ( karena pasti membutuhkan waktu yang sangat lama tuk menghasilkan karya yang sangat briliant) Karen amstrong mencoba menuntun para pembacanya unruk mempelajari kisah pencaharian Tuhan ya...more
Tapi kuyakinkan diri ini tuk bisa menangkap, mempelajari, memahami sinyal2 keberadaan dan ke-Esaan Allah berdasarkan pandangan Karen Amstrong yang nota bene seorang mu'alaf. melalui hasil penelitian yang sangat mendalam ( karena pasti membutuhkan waktu yang sangat lama tuk menghasilkan karya yang sangat briliant) Karen amstrong mencoba menuntun para pembacanya unruk mempelajari kisah pencaharian Tuhan ya...more
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Has a copy to sell/swap
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Read in November, 2007
"We've heard enough about Blizblaz and Himham, get to the bloody point!"
--Charles Montgomery Burns
That pretty much sums it up for me. In my desperate attempt to understand religion, this was of absolutely no help. I was hoping for an understanding of religious thought, but as it turns out, most of the conflicts within the three major religions seem to be pointless hairsplitting that comes from a lack of understanding about the nature of the world. Fine, that's not their fault...more
--Charles Montgomery Burns
That pretty much sums it up for me. In my desperate attempt to understand religion, this was of absolutely no help. I was hoping for an understanding of religious thought, but as it turns out, most of the conflicts within the three major religions seem to be pointless hairsplitting that comes from a lack of understanding about the nature of the world. Fine, that's not their fault...more
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1 comments
awalnya cuma niat minjem buku ini. tetapi karena ampe 4 bln ga kelar2 akhirnya sang empunya buku merelakan bukunya untuk di HM-in =D senangnya. andai semua pemilik buku yg kupinjam begitu *evil grind*
butuh waktu lama...bgt buat nyelesain buku ini. berbulan, bahkan bertahun lamanya.
dari judul n penampakan fisiknya aja udah ketauan. buku ini termasuk 'buku berat'. apakah tuhan punya sejarah???
lebih kepada sejarah agama2 besar dunia. Yahudi, Islam dan Kristen. karena ketiganya berasal dari ...more
butuh waktu lama...bgt buat nyelesain buku ini. berbulan, bahkan bertahun lamanya.
dari judul n penampakan fisiknya aja udah ketauan. buku ini termasuk 'buku berat'. apakah tuhan punya sejarah???
lebih kepada sejarah agama2 besar dunia. Yahudi, Islam dan Kristen. karena ketiganya berasal dari ...more
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