Reviews (22)

A True Classic
I knew about this book, of course, because I'm an academic, but hadn't read in it since it's out of my field and I'm not religious.
SUPREME EXCELLENCE.
St.Thomas Aquinas has always been a very solid and firm foundation for the Church.I have always loved this Saint from the very first days of becoming a Roman Catholic.I am amazed at the excellence of this work and constantly refer to this work for any of my own personal questions I may have about God.This is an awesome set to own ! I highly recommend to purchase your own set of the Summa. Thanks to God for giving us this wonderful Saint ...........the Great St. Thomas Aquinas.

The foundation of modern Christendom
How can one over-emphasize the role St. Thomas Aquinas 'Summa Theologica' has played in the modern mind, let alone the Christian one?Whether you are Protestant, Catholic, or Orthodox, Thomas' masterwork is a must for anyone who is seriously interested in systematic or historical theology, the history of philosophy or philosophy generally, and anyone who would like to know what one of the most erudite minds in the history of Western Christendom has said on the nature of God, humankind, and everything in between.
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Subjects:  1. Catholic Church    2. Christianity - Catholicism    3. Christianity - History - Catholic    4. Christianity - Theology - Catholic    5. Doctrines    6. Early works to 1800    7. Religion    8. Religion - Classic Works    9. Spirituality - General    10. Theology, Doctrinal    11. Christian theology   

Reviews (21)

Good effort, some disappointment
Although Karen Armstrong has made a good effort and has exhibited a wide range of overall scholarship, "The Great Transformation" was a disappointment when it came to her understanding of Ezekiel's vision. She sees the Merkava (chariot) as a "war chariot", written in response to the Babylonian exile, and as being a "terrifying, confusing vision" (Page 398). Since Ms. Armstrong's book is on the Axial Age, it would have been better for her to approach this vision from the standpoint of a meditative experience that could bring a person into the awareness of oneness. There are elements of this vision that are common to the meditative experience wherever it arises, within whatever religious tradition it takes place. Ezekiel's vision is a description of and a metaphor for this experience, and not a "war chariot." For a scholarly elucidation of this subject, Aryeh Kaplan's book "InnerSpace," Moznaim, 1990, discusses Ezekiel's vision in detail.

Thoroughly educational and fascinating
This is a very enlightening book about the development of religious traditions in China, India, Greece and Judea/Israel (and later on Arabia), from the dawn of history until the time of Mohammed.It centers on a period in each of these cultures that is called the "axial" age, which is when the most profound enlightenments occured.It's fascinating to learn the history of the development of different belief systems - both familiar and unfamiliar.

Excellent, but not for the faint of faith
Karen Armstrong is a prolific author who has gone far beyond the faith that was taught to her as an aspiring nun in the early 1960s.I've enjoyed a few of her earlier works (Through the Narrow Gate and A History of God) and I picked this up with great anticipation. I was intrigued by her assertion that a short span of history (800-200 BCE) marked a dramatic leap in the beliefs of several religions throughout the world at a time when they had limited or no contact with each other.Her writing is both gripping and persuasive and I was very impressed with the book.
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Subjects:  1. Ancient - General    2. Ancient Philosophy    3. History    4. History & Surveys - Ancient & Classical    5. History Of Religion (General)    6. History, Ancient    7. Philosophy, Ancient    8. Religion    9. Religion - Commentaries / Reference    10. Sociology of Religion    11. Religion / History   

Reviews (24)

How to study your bible
IT is the best book on how to study the bible.I wish I had started with this book before I finished 96 hours in Bible courses.It would have helped me in all my other courses.It is the best system I have ever run across.

Kay's study methods explained
This book is well organized and explain's Kay's Inductive Method very clearly. It is easy to read but does require practice to become second nature. Her methods make Bible passages come alive with the background and context as well as the message and underlying application in our daily lives.

This is What You've Been Looking For!
I just completed reading this book and I can't get enough!If you are ready to roll up your sleves and study the truth of God's Word this is for you.It gives you pratical and sound skills for digging deep into the vast riches of God's word. I have studied for years but this is a systematic approach to Bible study and it allows you to first search out the scriptures for themsselves and then refer to other resources such as comentaries and word study guides as a source of enrichment rather than a foundation to you understanding and interpretation. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bible - Study - General    2. Christianity - Christian Life - General    3. Religion    4. Religion - Biblical Studies   

Editorial Review

Armstrong, a British journalist and former nun, guides us along one of the most elusive and fascinating quests of all time--the search for God. Like all beloved historians, Armstrong entertains us with deft storytelling, astounding research, and makes us feel a greater appreciation for the present because we better understand our past. Be warned: Read more

Reviews (173)

Excellent History of 'God'
Karen Armstrong is certainly one of the finest writers on religious issues.While not herself a believer in 'God', she speaks from experience (she was a nun for several years in the Roman Catholic Church) and also great understanding and sympathy.
Actually...a history of western religion
While Karen Armstrong admittedly attempted a difficult objective, her errors small and not so small still deserve mention.
Ode to the Mighty One
"A History of God" is Karen Armstrong's opus (in my humble opinion), and is an admirable achievement, for it is both secular and theological, without being sanctimonious. I have taken the time to read several of her books and each is superlative in its own way, but most focus on historical time periods that are only part of the 4000 year saga that is revealed with such power in "A History of God."
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Subjects:  1. Biblical teaching    2. Comparative Religion    3. Comparative studies    4. General    5. God    6. God (Christianity)    7. God (Islam)    8. God (Theology)    9. History    10. History of doctrines    11. History: World    12. Non-Classifiable   

Editorial Review

Karen Armstrong speaks to the troubling years following her decision to leave the life of a Roman Catholic nun and join the secular world in 1969. What makes this memoir especially fascinating is that Armstrong already wrote about this era once---only it was a disastrous book. It was too soon for her to understand how these dark, struggling years influenced her spiritual development, and she was too immature to protect herself from being be bullied by the publishing world. As a result, she agreed to portray herself only in as "positive and lively a light as possible"---a mandate that gave her permission to deny the truth of her pain and falsify her inner experience. The inspiration for this new approach comes from T. S. Eliot's Read more

Reviews (80)

Wonderfully Touching and Powerful
Thank you Karen for recording your experience in such a truthful and therefore powerful way. Your courage and determination in the face of inhumanity is a familiar drumbeat that we would all do well to march to. Your stories of survival with compassion and mercy are a shining-light to those of all faiths and of all languages. Your language of love and hope is universal and you are a true friend. Thank you.

excellent
Karen Armstrong is a great writer, with quite the story to tell.The Spiral Staircase recounts the most powerful and change-filled years of her life--it concentrates mostly on the few years following her departure from life as a Catholic nun.She tells her story so honestly and openly that you really get a feel for Karent Armstrong the person, not just the successful writer.I read The Spiral Staircase before I read any of her other works, but since then I've enjoyed both her biography of Buddha, and "Islam: A Short History."Her memoir is candid and her prose is neither too emotional nor too academic.

Describes temporal lobe epilepsy with Grace
Another reviewer, a nurse who has interest in temporal lobe epilepsy and thought that Armstrong did not adequately explain temporal lobe epilepsy, has obviously never experienced a temporal lobe seizure. Karen Armstrong's descriptions of her temporal lobe seizures were spine-tingling, and nearly brought me to tears with the feeling that "Finally! Someone has put it into words! Someone understands!" Her plight out of the darkness of religious life is inspiring and her experiences with epilepsy make a remarkable backdrop. I recommend this read for people who have never questioned their faith as well as those who have. I also recommend it for families and friends of people with epilepsy. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1944-    2. Armstrong, Karen,    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Ex-nuns    8. General    9. History    10. Literary    11. Personal Memoirs    12. Religion (General)    13. Religion - Commentaries / Reference    14. Religious    15. Spirituality - Women's    16. Women    17. Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs    18. Reading Group Guide   

Reviews (79)

Excellent history of Mohammed
It is a sad fact that in these darkened times, the relationships between the world's Abrahamic faiths is at an all-time low.Each day it seems that Jews, Christians and Muslims are only too willing to go to war with each other and claiming God is on their side, when all three faiths profess to believe in the same God.
Mohammed is far from perfect
What I learned from this book is that Muhammed was a prophet who harnassed the spirtual hunger that lay in all Men's hearts to create a coherent and powerful (but far from perfect)religion that is Islam.
Secular Viewpoint
Karen Armstrong writes her biography of Muhammad (pbuh) from a very secular, 20th century point of view (although she tries very hard to see all sides of the story).She is also very confused about certain things, believing that Islam teaches that Satan will be forgiven on the Day of Judgement.Overall, it's an ok biography, but there are better ones available. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Historical - General    3. Islam - General    4. Islam - Mohammad    5. Muhammad,    6. Muòhammad,    7. Prophet    8. Prophet,    9. Religion    10. Religious    11. d. 632    12. Islam    13. Religion / Islam   

Editorial Review

About 40 years ago popular opinion assumed that religion would become a weaker force and people would certainly become less zealous as the world became more modern and morals more relaxed. But the opposite has proven true, according to theologian and author Karen Armstrong (Read more

Reviews (110)

Overly complicated, but interesting
Many new words, few remembered.
The Battle for Good History : Why Armstrong fails as acredible historian
"Battle For God"by Karen Armstrong
Erudite and masterful
Armstrong rates as one of the best, if not the best of the religious writers --- and she well deserves accolades. This book provides a rationale not only for the fundamentalist movements of the three major religions, but explains why, in other frameworks, one can never separate the conscious and unconscious in any permanent way.Her explanation of logos and mythos draws immediate parallels to the real and unreal, the seen and the unseen, the rational and the subconscious, the physical and metaphysical. Western technology induces eastern spirituality much the way the visible requires an analysis of the forces behind the visible.
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Subjects:  1. Christianity - General    2. Comparative Religion    3. Fundamentalism    4. History    5. Islamic fundamentalism    6. Israel    7. Orthodox Judaism    8. Reference    9. Religion    10. Religion - World Religions    11. Religious fundamentalism    12. Religion / General   

Reviews (7)

Awesome Study
Great study---I have always enjoyed the teachings of Kay Arthur. Understanding many (but not all)of the facets of God, His names shows He cares for me in evey area of my life. In studying the Names of God, I can now pray and believe using specific names knowing that God is my salvation, peace, provider, healer........

A disappointment
This book is a study of the names of God.However, I found some of the commentary and discussion points a stretch - discussing sexual abuse when studying the account of Hagar.

Excellent Study
Studying the names of God is a great way to increase your love and devotion to Him, and this easy workbook will help you. Kay style of teaching allows you to discover the truth from Scripture for yourself instead of taking her word for it. The result is an exciting, multi-week focus on the God who gives us life and peace. He is worth knowing intimately!Read more

Subjects:  1. Bible - Study - General    2. Bible - Topical Studies    3. Christianity - Literature    4. Devotional    5. God    6. God (Christianity)    7. Meditations    8. Name    9. Names    10. Religion    11. Religion - Christian Life    12. Religion / Bible / Study / General   

Editorial Review

Augustine's Read more

Reviews (105)

Essential classic of world literature
This is a good translation of St Augustine's 'Confessions', one of the most important works of Christian and also world religious and philosophical thought.
Great Masterpiece
Augustine's _Confessions_ have really had no parallel in the history of biographical writing. This account of his life stands as one of the most beautifully written Latin texts ever. Augustine was a master of prose writing and even in translations his work comes very powerfully forth.
Best book ever.
This is the greatest book in Christendom other then the Bible.Period.This translation (from the Latin) is quite good.It is translated in the contemporary idiom but also keeps the beauty of Augustine's language.EVERYONE should read this book more then once in their life.Experience Augustine's "sober intoxication" with God's "sovereign joy"! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Augustine    2. Christianity - General    3. Christianity - Theology - General    4. Religion    5. Religion - Classic Works    6. Religious    7. Biography & Autobiography / Religious    8. Early Church    9. Other prose: classical, early & medieval    10. Religion & Theology | Philosophy of Religion    11. Saints & hagiography   

Reviews (7)

Understanding Aquinas clarifies other historical issues
I need not restate the lenghty and obvious praises of previous reviewers, they did an excellent job of summing up the work on the intellectual level.
A good way to say that you read the great Summa
This book was really worth reading.St. Thomas can really get windy in his writing but overall he did provide some good insights.Much of what he writes is (I don't know how else to put it) mental masturbation but it is a good read for the way it thoroughly covers theology.

Massive Summary of Christian Truths
I am a begginer, 22 years old, in the field of christianity. I've been a believer for 4 years now, but up until recently I am developing interest in a more profound study of Christian Faith.
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Subjects:  1. Christianity - Literature    2. Christianity - Theology - Catholic    3. Christianity - Theology - History    4. Christianity - Theology - Systematic    5. Religion    6. Religion - Classic Works    7. Theology    8. Christian theology   

Reviews (28)

A compelling story of abuse in the search for Divine Love
I applaud Karen Armstrong for having the guts to write this book. Although I am guessing that it was cathartic for her to review this period in her life, she wrote quite dispassionately about her experiences. It is remarkable to me that she did not play the role of victim. In fact, she showed more love and compassion to those who abused her than those who were supposed to guide her on the path to love.
A harrowing inside look
Karen Armstrong has written a compelling memoir of her time in the convent in formation to become a nun.She wants this life so badly that she will forsake everything, including her own mind, to attain a perfect relationship with God.This is what she was told she must do.She did this despite gut feelings to the contrary, despite physical illness, and despite slowly dying inside.In fact, she believed this was a sign of progress.
Difficult to read at times...
but well worth getting through the gritty parts.
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Subjects:  1. 1944-    2. Armstrong, Karen,    3. Biography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Ex-nuns    6. Institutions & Organizations    7. Religion    8. Religious    9. Women   

Editorial Review

Books on Buddhism may overflow the shelves, but the life story of the Buddha himself has remained obscure despite over 2,500 years of influence on millions of people around the world. In an attempt to rectify this, and to make the Buddha and Buddhism accessible to Westerners, the beloved scholar and author of such sweeping religious studies as Read more

Reviews (56)

To understand the Buddha be his goal
Karen Armstrong's biography of the Buddha on grounds of history is good. However, her understanding of the Buddha and his percepts is naive. Buddhahood and not the Buddha is the goal. While she amply brings out the essence of this, she pays an equal attention to myths which to my mind are senseless and even detract one trying to understand the Buddha's teachings. A biography of the Buddha is pointless unless the essence of his teachings are brought out. While in all fairness Ms Armstrong does attempt this, she falls short of being able to comprehend the Goal. She brings out the Buddha as a missionary rather than someone that reveals the Truth. In the East the concept of religion is not water tight, the sense of being a Buddhist or a Hindu are not essential for seeking Nirvana or Brahman as is understood in the east. There is no concept of salvation in the East, simply because that implies bondage which implies reality of being. The Buddhist thought as does all eastern thought, speaks of the world as being unreal, therefore even bondage is an illusion therefore by that twist of logic salvation or freedomtoo is illusory, therefore the state of Nirvana or Brahman as spoken of in the east is considered one's natural state which is realised when all that one is not is understood. Ms Armstrong's effort at understanding the Buddha while comendable falls short of understanding what the Buddha teaches and therefore in a sense the Buddha. All said, Ms Armstrong definitely has done justice to placing the Buddha in a historical age and understading him from a point of view of society as it was then.

Good stuff if you're intellectual
Karen Armstrong, an established author, has given us the story of Siddartha Gautama, who eventually became the Buddha, while also delving into Eastern thinking and philosphy and culture.If you're just looking for the story of Buddha's life, this is probably more involved than what you're looking for, but as a scholarly introduction to Buddha AND Buddhism, this is a wonderful book!

What's the point?
The Buddha didn't want to be worshipped and no reliable historical account of him exists. The whole book is speculation. If you want to study buddhism read a book about buddhism not this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography/Autobiography    3. Buddhism - General    4. Gautama Buddha    5. Religion - World Religions    6. Religious    7. Religion / Buddhism