this is my attempt at a not boring entry. dont kill yourselves!
I recently finished this book in world civ called A History of God. It was written by a woman who was very religious as a child. She became a nun, and tried to reach God, but the harder she tried the more distant she became. Eventually, she gave up and started doing research on who else, God.
Basically the theme she shows us throughout the book is that humankind has had several versions of God throughout the centuries. God changes as we change, and the reason why our monotheistic God has survived as long as it did was because it was adaptable. I suppose you could say God evolved. haha.
Back on track.. okay I cant tell you the entire book, that would take entirely too long. Instead I'm going to talk about the few random things that I found interesting. The God of Abraham was displayed as a kind, gentle figure. He even went to talk to Abraham in human form with an angel. (during this period of time the polytheistic Gods were able to take human form and walk amongst people) During the axel age war prevaled. Consequently, our God was pictured as more warlike. Also, there are actually several different versions of the old testament written at various times. Each time it was rewritten certain things about God were changed to fit the belief of God during that time period. If you want something specific then read the book. In the Pentateuch there isn't any indication that God said he was the only God. He just said to worship him alone. The covenant or circumcision was a very pagean practice. When monotheism was introdiced to the Greek philosophers, (who viewed a constant static God) monotheistic God became much more perfect. God used to change his mind a lot, he was fallable, but now he was not.
I'm going to write more about the book as i re-read my notes of it. But for now i would like to say something that i feel is very important. The book stresses that a God "that works" is more important than a rational God. Philosophers and scientists have been trying to explain God since humans first recognized him. None of them could do it. God was revised throughout time to fit the circumstances of the people, irrationally. I've kinda given up trying to figure things out because of the book. I'm accepting it.
Basically the theme she shows us throughout the book is that humankind has had several versions of God throughout the centuries. God changes as we change, and the reason why our monotheistic God has survived as long as it did was because it was adaptable. I suppose you could say God evolved. haha.
Back on track.. okay I cant tell you the entire book, that would take entirely too long. Instead I'm going to talk about the few random things that I found interesting. The God of Abraham was displayed as a kind, gentle figure. He even went to talk to Abraham in human form with an angel. (during this period of time the polytheistic Gods were able to take human form and walk amongst people) During the axel age war prevaled. Consequently, our God was pictured as more warlike. Also, there are actually several different versions of the old testament written at various times. Each time it was rewritten certain things about God were changed to fit the belief of God during that time period. If you want something specific then read the book. In the Pentateuch there isn't any indication that God said he was the only God. He just said to worship him alone. The covenant or circumcision was a very pagean practice. When monotheism was introdiced to the Greek philosophers, (who viewed a constant static God) monotheistic God became much more perfect. God used to change his mind a lot, he was fallable, but now he was not.
I'm going to write more about the book as i re-read my notes of it. But for now i would like to say something that i feel is very important. The book stresses that a God "that works" is more important than a rational God. Philosophers and scientists have been trying to explain God since humans first recognized him. None of them could do it. God was revised throughout time to fit the circumstances of the people, irrationally. I've kinda given up trying to figure things out because of the book. I'm accepting it.