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| Author | Karen Armstrong |
|---|---|
| Subject | History of religions |
| Publisher | Alfred A. Knopf |
Publication date | 1993 |
| Pages | 460 |
| ISBN | 0-345-38456-3 |
| OCLC | 150223350 |
A History of God is a book byKaren Armstrong that was published by Knopf in 1993. It details the history of the three majormonotheistic traditions,Judaism,Christianity andIslam, along with some details onBuddhism andHinduism. The evolution of the idea ofGod is traced from its ancient roots in theMiddle East up to the present day.
Armstrong begins with the rise of thecult ofYahweh (Jahweh), one of the deities ofCanaan. According to Armstrong, the cult of Yahweh consisted of a variety of ethnic groups that migrated toCanaan in three waves. These groups were united by their loyalty to Yahweh.[1] Yahweh was unique in the ancient Middle East in that he actually participated in theprofane lives of his worshipers.[2]
She then examines the sources of thePentateuch by way of the four authors or groups of authors, known according to theDocumentary hypothesis asJ,E,P andD. Moreover, she explores some of the textual tensions that exist in thePentateuch as a result of the theological tensions between these authors, or groups of authors. For Armstrong, this tension can be seen in, for example, the contrasting accounts oftheophanies. TheJahwist (J) writes of very "intimate" encounters between Abraham and Yahweh, while theElohist (E) "prefers to distance the event and make the old legends lessanthropomorphic."[3]
There follows an examination of the majorIsraeliteprophets, includingIsaiah, second Isaiah,Hosea andEzekiel, and the contribution each made to theJewish conception ofGod.
Armstrong then turns to the stories attributed to the life ofJesus. She identifies his roots in thePharisaic tradition ofHillel the Elder and his effect on the Jewish conception of a god. The death of Jesus and its attendant symbolism are examined, including the various constructions others, most notablyPaul, have placed upon these events.
The book explores the rise of trinitarianism, leading to theNicene Creed, and traces the evolution of the Christian conception of God and theTrinity in the respectiveEastern andWestern traditions.[4]
Armstrong discusses the rise of modern Christian religiosity, in particular theProtestantism ofMartin Luther andJohn Calvin.
The rise ofIslam and its appreciation of the nature of God are examined. Armstrong analyzes how modernShia Islam, with its emphasis upon social action in the service ofAllah, the Islamic prophetMuhammad, and theShia Imams, was a key factor that brought about theIranian Revolution of 1979.
Subsequent chapters examine respectively both philosophical approaches to the idea of God, and the mystical relationship with God.
The final chapters examine the notion of theDeath of God and the idea of God in apost-modern world.