- This topic is empty.
-
Posts
-
I just finished reading Karen Armstrong’s “The History of God”. Karen Armstrong is a former Catholic nun who went through her own disaffection with Catholicism and now writes about comparative religion. In “The History of God”, Armstrong compares and contrasts the great monotheistic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. She discusses how each religion views God and how those views have changed in response to societal changes, historical events, philosophical movements, and their interactions with each other. Armstrong approaches God as a human idea that is manifest in ways similar to how art, poetry, and music are expressed.
Armstrong argues for a “God”, but I’m not sure what kind of God she believes in. She clearly notes the problems of an anthropomorphic Diety who often becomes an idol reflecting the prejudices and desires of those who worship it. She similarly is against the “God of the Philosophers” who is too distant to be of use to humanity. At times she is positively inclined toward the “God of the Mystics” who believe in a inner God, unique to each individual, who grounds believe in shared compassion toward humanity, but is critical of the believers in a mystical God who are often caught up in excesses and bizarre behavior.
Ultimately the book challenged my own beliefs in God and the usefulness of God for humanity. I think I will have to read her most recent book, “The Case for God”.
Have you checked out Armstrong’s book…the Great Transformation? I’d recommend that as well. It goes back even further to look at religious traditions and is well written.
I’ve seen this book on shelves a few times and contemplated buying it. It sounds good. Thanks for the great review.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.