A History of God

This book is a "provocative look" at God at the heart of the three great monotheistic religions, from the time of Abraham to the present day.

What or who is God? Does He really exist and, if so, why? What does the existence or non-existence of God mean for human beings?

A History of God by Karen Armstrong, an unquestioned authority in the study of religion, mainly comparative religion, examines the familiar images of God as they appear in the Bible (Old and New Testaments) and in the Quran. How have the three dominant monotheistic religions – Judaism, Christianity and Islam – formed and changed the understanding of God? How have these religions influenced one another?

Through a balanced analysis of sacred and historical texts, as well as extensive use of art and ancient artifacts, we will follow the long road to the understanding of God that we have today. This journey – and its destination – tells us about humanity and its continuing need to find meaning and peace. From classical philosophy and medieval mysticism to the Reformation, the Enlightenment and the modern age of skepticism, Karen Armstrong almost magically distills the intellectual history of monotheism into a highly readable book, destined to take its place among the classic works.