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
this stunningly intelligent book, Karen Armstrong, one of Britain's
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 epic story begins with the Jews' gradual transformation of pagan
idol worship in Babylon into true monotheism--a concept previously
unknown in the world. Christianity and Islam both rose on the foundation
of this revolutionary idea, 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 readable volume, destined to
take its place as a classic.
Praise for History of God
"An admirable and impressive work of synthesis that will give insight
and satisfaction to thousands of lay readers."--The Washington Post
Book World
"A brilliantly lucid, spendidly readable book. [Karen] Armstrong has a
dazzling ability: she can take a long and complex subject and reduce it
to the fundamentals, without oversimplifying."--The Sunday Times
(London)
"Absorbing . . . A lode of learning."--Time
"The most fascinating and learned study of the biggest wild goose chase
in history--the quest for God. Karen Armstrong is a genius."--A.N.
Wilson, author of Jesus: A Life
