Armstrong published her first book, through the narrow gate, in 1982. The case for god by karen armstrong john loftus tells us what various fundamentalists get wrong. Is karen armstrongs a history of god a good book regarding the history of the abrahamic religions. So great, that i ended up buying it along with other works by armstrong. Twentyseven years and more than 20 books later including the bestselling a history of god armstrong releases her latest book, the. It is recommended to have a search engine on hand, as armstrong tends to assume that readers are already on top of this kind of. Discussion of themes and motifs in karen armstrongs a history of god. Jun 30, 2011 the idea of a single devine being god, yahweh, allah has existed for over 4,000 years. But the history of god is also the history of human struggle. Armstrong traces the history of the composition and exegesis of the jewish and christian scriptures from the 6th century bce, when the persian emperor cyrus permitted the refugees returning to jerusalem. A history of god by karen armstrong the new christian west during the middle ages introduction as a child, i had a number of strong religious beliefs but little faith in god.
We shall see that it is far more important for a particular idea of god to work than for. So i just read a post in rdebatereligion, and one of the comments is this video, which i found really interesting. The idea of a single divine being god, yahweh, allah has existed for over 4,000 years. The idea of a single devine being god, yahweh, allah has existed for over 4,000 years.
In this stunningly intelligent book, karen armstrong, one of britains foremost commentators on religious affairs. Her books include the bestselling a history of god and the battle for god, as well as buddha and islam. I bought this book for a college course titled the idea of god and we used the text as a reference for our study, as it took us gently through the history of this monotheist idea of god. The washington post book worldin this stunningly intelligent book, karen armstrong, one of britains foremost commentators on religious affairs, traces the history of how men and women have perceived and experienced god, from the time of abraham to the present. I first went through karen armstrongs book, a history of god, a number of years ago. Her work has been translated more about karen armstrong. And it is this kind of argument that motivated karen armstrong to write her newest book, aptly titled fields of blood. A history of god examines the familiar images of deity as presented in the bible and koran and traces the evolution and interrelation of the various christian, jewish, and islamic interpretations of.
Nov 17, 2014 bestselling author karen armstrong shares some thoughts on god with minnesota public radios kerri miller tuesday, nov. I was searched on the title of the book as well, which limited the results. She first rose to prominence in 1993 with her book a history of god. In this stunningly intelligent book, karen armstrong, one of britains foremost. A history of god examines the familiar images of deity as presented in the bible and koran and traces the evolution and interrelation of the various christian, jewish, and islamic interpretations of the divine. Karen armstrong is required reading on the syllabus of many courses in both seminaries and religious studies departments in universities. The 4,000year quest of judaism, christianity and islam ebook written by karen armstrong. Bestselling author karen armstrong shares some thoughts on god with minnesota public radios kerri miller tuesday, nov. Buy a history of god new ed by armstrong, karen isbn. The washington post book worldin this stunningly intelligent book, karen armstrong. In this stunningly intelligent book, karen armstrong, one of britains foremost commentators on religious affairs, traces the history of how men and. Through balanced analysis of historic and holy texts and extensive use of ancient art and artifacts, well follow the long road.
Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read a history of god. In the beginning, human beings created a god who was the first cause of all things and ruler of heaven and earth. This extraordinary, featurelength film, based on karen armstrongs acclaimed book of the same name, traces that elusive and fascinating quest. Karen armstrong, a comparative religion specialist is the author of numerous books on religion, including the case for god, a history of god, the battle for god, holy war, islam, buddha, and fields of blood, as well as a memoir, the spiral staircase. She is the author of numerous books on religion, including the case for. I had it on audio, and since i was traveling a lot, i ended up listening to it multiple times. These unique and eclectic credentials make her eminently qualified to write about how god is perceived by the three monotheistic world religions.
Armstrong tackles a history of the three major western religions, covering the evolution of philosophy and theology in christianity, judaism, and islam since the time of. Karen armstrong is the author of numerous books on religion, including the case for god, a history of god, the battle for god, holy war, islam, buddha, and fields of blood, as well as a. Is karen armstrong s a history of god a good book regarding the history of the abrahamic religions. Armstrong traces the history of our conception and understanding of god from the very early days of protojewish paganism, through the development of jewish monotheism, the development of early christianity and then islam, then the influence via the islamic world of ancient greek philosophy, the rise and fall of mysticism, the upheaval of. This edition contains an excerpt from karen armstrongs twelve steps to a compassionate life. Karen armstrong is the author of numerous books on religion, including the case for god, a history of god, the battle for god, holy war, islam, buddha, and. Karen armstrong is the author of numerous books on religious affairs, including the case for god, a history of god, the battle for god, holy war, islam, buddha,and the great transformation, as well as a memoir, the spiral staircase. Superb kaleidoscopic history of religion, from an english nun turnedscholar. Karen armstrongs biography of the bible is part historiography and part geopolitical history.
T his is an eloquent and interesting book, although you do not quite get what it says on the tin. Over 700,000 copies of the original hardcover and paperback editions of this stunningly popular book have been sold. A history of god examines the familiar images of deity as presented in the bible and koran and traces the evolution and interrelation of the various christian, jewish, and islamic interpretations of the divine figure. A nuanced exploration of the part that religion plays in human life, drawing on the insights of the past in order to build a faith that speaks to the needs of our. The evolution of the idea of god is traced from its ancient roots in the middle east up to the present day. Oct 04, 2009 the time, in other words, is ripe for a book like the case for god, which wraps a rebuke to the more militant sort of atheism in an engaging survey of western religious thought. Fundamentalism in judaism, christianity and islam is a book by author karen armstrong published in 2000 by knopfharpercollins which the new york times described as one of the most penetrating, readable, and prescient accounts to date of the rise of the fundamentalist movements in judaism, christianity, and islam. Armstrong traces the history of our conception and understanding of god from the very early days of protojewish paganism, through the development of jewish monotheism, the development of early. Karen armstrong takes the reader through a history of religious practice in many different. The case for god by karen armstrong issue 81 philosophy now.
Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. A history of fundamentalism ebook written by karen armstrong. A history of god by karen armstrong, 9780099273677, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Religion and the history of violence, which was published last week in the. In this stunningly intelligent book, karen armstrong, one of britains foremost commentators on religious affairs, traces the history of how men and women have. The 4,000year quest of judaism, christianity and islam by armstrong, karen and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Nov 18, 2010 over 700,000 copies of the original hardcover and paperback editions of this stunningly popular book have been sold. Her relatively short work the earlier history of god is much longer recounts the often.
Armstrong tackles a history of the three major western religions, covering the evolution of philosophy and theology in christianity, judaism, and islam since the time of abraham. Karen armstrongs superbly readable exploration of how the three. Fundamentalism in judaism, christianity and islam is a book by author karen armstrong published in 2000 by knopfharpercollins which the new york times described as one of. In this astounding book, prolific author karen armstrong has written an intellectual history of the notion. It details the history of the three major monotheistic traditions, judaism, christianity and islam, along with buddhism and hinduism. The 4,000year quest of judaism, christianity and islam. A history of god is the first of three of armstrong s books with the word god in the title. Sep 21, 2009 armstrong published her first book, through the narrow gate, in 1982. Strange as it may seem, the idea of god developed in a market economy in a spirit of aggressive capitalism, karen armstrong asserts in her fascinating work a history of god. A former roman catholic religious sister, she went from a conservative to a more liberal and mystical christian faith. Karen armstrong, author, scholar, and journalist, is among the worlds foremost commentators on religious history and culture. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the battle for god.
While judaism, islam and christianity proclaim the goodness of god, organised religion has too often been the catalyst for violence and ineradicable prejudice. Is karen armstrongs a history of god a good book regarding. There are major gaps in armstrongs historyshe pays little attention to the. I say that karen armstrong isnt to be found, much, on youtube, was because my search was too narrow. Karen armstrong, who teaches at the leo baeck college for the study of judaism in england, spent seven years as a roman catholic nun and has written a biography of muhammad. Strange as it may seem, the idea of god developed in a market economy in a spirit of aggressive capitalism, karen armstrong asserts. Books by karen armstrong author of a history of god.
Her books include the bestselling a history of god and the battle for. An admirable and impressive work of synthesis that will give insight and satisfaction to thousands of lay readers. Karen armstrong is the author of numerous books on religion, including the case for god, a history of god, the battle for god, holy war, islam, buddha, and fields of blood, as well as a memoir, the spiral staircase. I first went through karen armstrong s book, a history of god, a number of years ago. What is your defense as a christian regarding karen armstrong. A history of god examines the familiar images of deity as. If i have understood armstrong correctly, this is not an understanding of god that is shared by jews, muslims or even eastern orthodox christians and, although armstrong is not so blunt in her. The time, in other words, is ripe for a book like the case for god, which wraps a rebuke to the more militant sort of atheism in an engaging survey of western religious thought. Jul 03, 2009 t his is an eloquent and interesting book, although you do not quite get what it says on the tin. Discussion of themes and motifs in karen armstrong s a history of god.
In this stunningly intelligent book, karen armstrong, one of britains foremost commentators on religious affairs, traces the history of how men and women have perceived and experienced god, from the time of abraham to the present. Her work focuses on commonalities of the major religions, such as the importance of compassion and the golden rule. A history of god by karen armstrong how men interpreted divinity for the last four thousand years a history of god unveils the quest of humans to understand the purpose of creation and the mastermind behind it since the ancient times of abrahams canaan until the birth of atheism in the 20th century. Twentyseven years and more than 20 books later including the bestselling a history of god armstrong releases her. Her work focuses on commonalities of the major religions, such as. Twentyseven years and more than 20 books later including the bestselling a history of god armstrong.
In the beginning in ancient middle east, ideas of god emerged from as far back as 14 000 years ago. Karen armstrong is the author of numerous books on religion, including the case for god, a history of god, the battle for god, holy war, islam, buddha, and fields of blood, as well as a memoir, the spiral. Karen armstrong, obe, frsl born 14 november 1944 is a british author and commentator of irish catholic descent known for her books on comparative religion. A nuanced exploration of the part that religion plays in human life, drawing on the insights of the past in. In this stunningly intelligent book, karen armstrong, one of britains foremost commentators on religious affairs, traces the history of how men and women have perceived and experienced god, from. Armstrong traces the history of our conception and understanding of god from the very early days of protojewish paganism, through the development of jewish monotheism, the development of early christianity and then islam, then the influence via the islamic world of ancient greek philosophy, the rise and fall of mysticism, the upheaval of reformation, the impact of science and reason, and finally the challenge of atheism. He was not represented by images and had no temple or priests in his service. It details the history of the three major monotheistic traditions, judaism, christianity and islam, along with. Although her faith grew progressively weaker, her fascination with religion didnt abate, and, even as a nonbeliever, she continues to pursue. In this astounding book, prolific author karen armstrong has written an intellectual history of the notion of god, focusing on western christian conceptions. What is your defense as a christian regarding karen armstrong book, a history of god, which believe that yhwh is just one of the gods, more precisely yhwh is only the god of war. There is a distinction between belief in a set of propositions and a faith which enables us to put our trust in them. A history of god by karen armstrong part 1 youtube.