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 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. Discussion of themes and motifs in karen armstrongs a history of god. The evolution of the idea of god is traced from its ancient roots in the middle east up to the present day. Sep 21, 2009 armstrong published her first book, through the narrow gate, in 1982. 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.
Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The idea of a single divine being god, yahweh, allah has existed for over 4,000 years. These unique and eclectic credentials make her eminently qualified to write about how god is perceived by the three monotheistic world religions. In this stunningly intelligent book, karen armstrong, one of britains foremost commentators on religious affairs, traces the history of how men and women have. 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. I had it on audio, and since i was traveling a lot, i ended up listening to it multiple times. What is your defense as a christian regarding karen armstrong. Her relatively short work the earlier history of god is much longer recounts the often. T his is an eloquent and interesting book, although you do not quite get what it says on the tin. Armstrong published her first book, through the narrow gate, in 1982. Is karen armstrong s a history of god a good book regarding the history of the abrahamic religions.
We shall see that it is far more important for a particular idea of god to work than for. 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. And it is this kind of argument that motivated karen armstrong to write her newest book, aptly titled fields of blood. 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 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. 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. A nuanced exploration of the part that religion plays in human life, drawing on the insights of the past in. I first went through karen armstrong s book, a history of god, a number of years ago.
Nov 17, 2014 bestselling author karen armstrong shares some thoughts on god with minnesota public radios kerri miller tuesday, nov. Is karen armstrongs a history of god a good book regarding the history of the abrahamic religions. The 4,000year quest of judaism, christianity and islam ebook written by karen armstrong. It details the history of the three major monotheistic traditions, judaism, christianity and islam, along with buddhism and hinduism. 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.
Her books include the bestselling a history of god and the battle for. She first rose to prominence in 1993 with her book a history of god. 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. 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 part 1 youtube. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read a history of god. In this astounding book, prolific author karen armstrong has written an intellectual history of the notion. 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.
It details the history of the three major monotheistic traditions, judaism, christianity and islam, along with. Twentyseven years and more than 20 books later including the bestselling a history of god armstrong releases her latest book, the. 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. In the beginning in ancient middle east, ideas of god emerged from as far back as 14 000 years ago. Superb kaleidoscopic history of religion, from an english nun turnedscholar. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the battle for god. In this stunningly intelligent book, karen armstrong, one of britains foremost commentators on religious affairs. 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. A history of god examines the familiar images of deity as. A former roman catholic religious sister, she went from a conservative to a more liberal and mystical christian faith. 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. Nov 18, 2010 over 700,000 copies of the original hardcover and paperback editions of this stunningly popular book have been sold. The washington post book worldin this stunningly intelligent book, karen armstrong.
Discussion of themes and motifs in karen armstrong s a history of god. 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. A history of god is the first of three of armstrong s books with the word god in the title. 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. 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. An admirable and impressive work of synthesis that will give insight and satisfaction to thousands of lay readers. 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. 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. Karen armstrong is required reading on the syllabus of many courses in both seminaries and religious studies departments in universities. Strange as it may seem, the idea of god developed in a market economy in a spirit of aggressive capitalism, karen armstrong asserts.
He was not represented by images and had no temple or priests in his service. In this stunningly intelligent book, karen armstrong, one of britains foremost commentators on religious affairs, traces the history of how men and. Books by karen armstrong author of a history of god. 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. Bestselling author karen armstrong shares some thoughts on god with minnesota public radios kerri miller tuesday, nov. Over 700,000 copies of the original hardcover and paperback editions of this stunningly popular book have been sold. Although her faith grew progressively weaker, her fascination with religion didnt abate, and, even as a nonbeliever, she continues to pursue. 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. 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. Her work has been translated more about karen armstrong. This extraordinary, featurelength film, based on karen armstrongs acclaimed book of the same name, traces that elusive and fascinating quest.
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. She is the author of numerous books on religion, including the case for. Jan 06, 2008 i say that karen armstrong isnt to be found, much, on youtube, was because my search was too narrow. While judaism, islam and christianity proclaim the goodness of god, organised religion has too often been the catalyst for violence and ineradicable prejudice. 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. So i just read a post in rdebatereligion, and one of the comments is this video, which i found really interesting. The case for god by karen armstrong issue 81 philosophy now. So great, that i ended up buying it along with other works by armstrong. 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. Through balanced analysis of historic and holy texts and extensive use of ancient art and artifacts, well follow the long road. I first went through karen armstrongs book, a history of god, a number of years ago. 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.
Twentyseven years and more than 20 books later including the bestselling a history of god armstrong. This edition contains an excerpt from karen armstrongs twelve steps to a compassionate life. In this astounding book, prolific author karen armstrong has written an intellectual history of the notion of god, focusing on western christian conceptions. 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. Twentyseven years and more than 20 books later including the bestselling a history of god armstrong releases her. Buy a history of god new ed by armstrong, karen isbn. The 4,000year quest of judaism, christianity and islam. The idea of a single devine being god, yahweh, allah has existed for over 4,000 years. I was searched on the title of the book as well, which limited the results. In the beginning, human beings created a god who was the first cause of all things and ruler of heaven and earth. A history of god by karen armstrong, 9780099273677, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. 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 case for god by karen armstrong john loftus tells us what various fundamentalists get wrong. Karen armstrong, author, scholar, and journalist, is among the worlds foremost commentators on religious history and culture. Her work focuses on commonalities of the major religions, such as. 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. Jun 30, 2011 the idea of a single devine being god, yahweh, allah has existed for over 4,000 years. Karen armstrong takes the reader through a history of religious practice in many different. A history of fundamentalism ebook written by karen armstrong. In this stunningly intelligent book, karen armstrong, one of britains foremost. 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. Her books include the bestselling a history of god and the battle for god, as well as buddha and islam. 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 armstrongs biography of the bible is part historiography and part geopolitical history. 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. But the history of god is also the history of human struggle. The bible the biography by karen armstrong issue 69.