A History of God by Karen Armstrong

Why does God exist? How have the three dominant monotheistic religions–Judaism, Christianity, and Islam–shaped and altered the conception of God? How have these religions influenced each other? In A History of God, celebrated religious commentator Karen Armstrong presents a stunningly intelligent journey that spans centuries to understand humanity’s ever-changing relationship to monotheistic religion. In this video clip, Ms. Armstrong presents an intellectual and heartfelt perspective on God. Who else even attempts to do that these days in the media? I don’t know. It’s like you have to be a lifelong nun in order to speak freely. Typically the media wouldn’t cover you. This lady has walked the walk and has got some good connections, in the material and the spirit world.

Thank goodness Ms. Armstrong is a true scholar. There is incredible detail in her scholarship and a wealth of knowledge that evidently comes from a life of reading the liturgy sometimes under the pressure of some pretty bizarre punishments. Anyway, something sparked in me upon reading this scholarship and I became enlightened. The devil is in the details as they say and unless we carry on a disciplined and detailed scholarly discourse, how do we ever get past him the devil that is?

The epic story begins with the Jews’ gradual transformation of pagan idol worship in Babylon into true monotheism–a concept previously unknown in the world. This is how Ms. Armstrong sees it, and even if you are one to believe that the Jews are never pagans and instead the earliest monotheistic Christians of Mama Maya–well you’ll find the details in this in-depth scholarship to prove your point. As with any classic based upon inductive enlightenment, there’s more than one way to interpret the text. According to Ms. Armstrong, Christianity and Islam both rose upon the foundation of the Judaic revolutionary idea of monotheism, but these religions refashioned “the One God” to suit the social and political needs of their followers. From classical philosophy and medieval mysticism to the Reformation, Karen Armstrong performs the near miracle of distilling the intellectual history of monotheism into one superbly engrossing volume. One that upon reading you can find a truth of God in your own heart.

The price of this softback book is $25. Free Shipping. Portland Plant Paradise sends out all physical media via USPS “book rate” mailing. This book is in new condition, published in 1993 by Alfred A. Knopf, New York City.