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This is a fantastic book. I've been meaning to read it for quite a while, but I just had a course in London so I've been reading it on the trains in and out.
Armstrong considers the responses of Christians, Jews, and Muslims to the concept of God by looking at their beliefs through the ages. Personally, I found the first chapters looking at early Jewish belief the most fascinating. Abraham's encounters with his God are almost those of peers, and Armstrong notes that when Moses meets God, He is at pains to point out that he is the god of Abraham, though He now seems much more angry and unapproachable.
The book traces this history forward through to the theology of the present day, giving a clear guide to the ideas that shaped belief in different ages. Along the way, Armstrong brings out the tensions inherent in the idea of god: the philosophical god who is so remote that he cannot be considered personal or perform actions in time. The mystical god who can only be apprehended by our own acts of creativity - an interesting parallel to the atheists view of god as purely an imaginary friend, or projection of our qualities. The personal god who at his best can be a source of inspiration and a link from humans to the transcendant, but who too easily becomes a idol, lacking mystery.
My personal beliefs are mainly atheist/Buddhist, but I found this book very useful in locating my non-belief in its historical context. I'm sure the same would be true for any thoughtful person whether believer or not.
Posted by MFreestone at October 4, 2004 02:47 PM