The idea of a single divine being god, yahweh, allah has existed for over 4,000 years. Myths and the modern world human beings have always used myths as a framework on which to shape religion, literature and, early on, science. There is a distinction between belief in a set of propositions and a faith which enables us to put our trust in them. Superb kaleidoscopic history of religion, from an english nun turnedscholar. A history of god is a bestselling book by karen armstrong. Has a history of god by karen armstrong been sitting on your reading list. A former roman catholic religious sister, she went from a conservative to a more liberal and mystical christian faith. With such bestsellers as a history of god and islam, karen armstrong has consistently delivered penetrating, readable, and prescient the new york times works that have lucidly engaged a wide range of. A history of god is a rich and comprehensive account of the concept of god across thousands of years of human history. In over five hundred pages karen armstrong, once a nun and the respected author of bestsellers like a history of god and the case for god, answers the question whether religion is the principal cause of violence. Karen armstrong frsl born 14 november 1944 is a british author and commentator known for her books on comparative religion. It details the history of the three major monotheistic traditions, judaism, christianity and islam, along with buddhism and hinduism. Karen armstrong is the author of numerous books on religion, including fields of blood, a history of god, the battle for god, holy war, islam, buddha, and fields of bloos, as well as a memoir, the spiral staircase.
The first edition of the novel was published in january 1st 1975, and was written by karen armstrong. She explains, the focus is not on the history of the ineffable reality of god itself, which is of course beyond time and change, but a history of the way men and women. In this stunningly intelligent book, karen armstrong, one of britains foremost commentators on religious affairs. See all books authored by karen armstrong, including a history of god. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 460 pages and is available in hardcover format. The 4000year quest of judaism, christianity, and islam karen armstrong on. Although her faith grew progressively weaker, her fascination with religion didnt abate, and, even as a nonbeliever, she continues to pursue. Her work has been translated more about karen armstrong. A history of god is a daring and pioneering work for all of the above reasons. Over 700,000 copies of the original hardcover and paperback editions of this stunningly popular book have been sold. The terrorist attacks in paris rendered her new book fields of blood. Karen armstrong takes the reader through a history of religious practice in many different cultures, arguing that in the good old days and purest forms they all come to much the same thing.
Armstrong has demonstrated the provisional nature of our understanding of god and the relevance of values and visions long buried in dusty tomes. Karen armstrong, a former nun, focuses on judaism, christianity, and islam, with insights into the work of western history s great theologians and philosophers. Karen armstrong is the author of numerous other books on religious affairsincluding a history of god, the battle for god, holy war, islam, buddha, and the great transformationand two memoirs, through the narrow gate and the spiral staircase. In the excavations the high priest hilkiah discovered an ancient manuscript purported to be moses last sermon. It details the history of the three major monotheistic traditions, judaism, christianity and islam, along with. 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. The 4,000year quest of judaism, christianity, and islam book pdf. It details the history of the three major monotheistic traditions. This book will not be a history of the ineffable reality of god itself, which is beyond time and. Karen armstrong, author, scholar, and journalist, is among the worlds foremost commentators on religious history and culture. The evolution of the idea of god is traced from its ancient roots in the middle east up to the present day.
But the history of god is also the history of human struggle. Karen armstrong is one of the foremost commentators on religious affairs in both britain and the united states. Karen armstrong is a british author and commentator known for her books on comparative religion. Karen armstrong a history of god and other works free download as pdf file. 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. She first rose to prominence in 1993 with her book a history of god. A short history karen armstrong, author, scholar, and journalist, is among the worlds foremost commentators on religious history and culture. 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 4000year quest of judaism, christianity and islam. The 4,000year quest of judaism, christianity and islam paperback aug. Karen armstrong books list of books by author karen. Pick up the key ideas in the book with this quick summary. 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. In 2008 she was awarded the ted prize and began working with ted on the charter for compassion, created online by the general public. See all 10 formats and editions hide other formats and editions. Armstrong tackles a history of the three major western religions, covering the evolution of philosophy and theology in christianity, judaism. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Religion and the history of violence suddenly and tragically very urgent. The baltimore sun a work of impressive sweep and grandeur.
The 4,000year quest of judaism, christianity, and islam pdf about a history of god. Karen armstrong a history of god and other works religious. The 4,000year quest of judaism, christianity, and islam, and islam. 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. Karen armstrong looks at the history of god from the perspective of the three monotheistic faiths jewish, muslim and christian. Like karen armstrong s a history of god, jerusalem is a book for the ages. The epic story begins with the jews gradual transformation of pagan idol worship in babylon into true monotheism.
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