Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,000+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Listen to the Intro
A History of God summary
Karen Armstrong
The 4000-Year Quest of Judaism, Christianity and Islam
27 mins
Brief summary
"A History of God" by Karen Armstrong explores how humans have understood and experienced the divine throughout history. It traces the evolution of religious beliefs and practices from prehistoric times to the present day.
Table of Contents
A History of God
Summary of 11 key ideas
Audio & text in the Blinkist app
Key idea 1 of 11
A distinctive concept of God emerged among the Israelites in the Levant.
How do you see God? Perhaps as the creator of the world, as the Almighty or as a spiritual presence? Different conceptualizations of God have existed for millennia, and the best way to understand them is to trace them as they emerge in the related histories of the Jewish, Christian and Muslim faiths.
The journey starts 14,000 years ago in the Middle East. There, pagan tribes developed their own notions of deities.
Take Mesopotamia, in modern-day Iraq, the cradle of Western civilization. People living there saw society as a fragile thing; they worshipped gods that countered the forces of disorder and quelled chaos.
The Babylonian creation myth, Enuma Elish, tells the story of the first gods emerging from a primeval wasteland. These deities were associated with water, earth and heaven. The god Marduk then created humankind by mixing his blood with dust, which meant humans were thought of as semi-divine in nature.
But one group stood out for their ideas about the divine: the Israelites. They had settled in Canaan in the Southern Levant in around 1850 BCE and claimed descent from Abraham and his grandson Jacob, who was also known as Israel.
The Israelites initially had a similar view of divine power but started worshipping a single God, one that had developed from a version of a pagan heavenly High God or Sky God.
In the earliest books of the Bible, Genesis and Exodus, written in the eighth century BCE, God is referred to as both “Elohim” and “Yahweh.”
Elohim was the Israelite High God, while Yahweh means “the God of our fathers.”
It is thus quite possible that two separate pagan gods, each with a specific local domain, were merged.
In fact, after the Israelites’ return from their enslavement in Egypt, they swore to make Yahweh their only god. In return, it is said that Yahweh promised to protect the Israelites.
Want to see all full key ideas from A History of God?
Key ideas in A History of God
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is A History of God about?
A History of God (1993) traces the related histories of the Jewish, Christian and Muslim concepts of God. From the jealous God of the ancient Israelites to the revelations of Allah, and from the life of Jesus through to theological doctrinal discussions and God’s status in the modern world, these blinks tell the story of how conceptualizations of God in these three related religions have developed and changed over time.
A History of God Review
A History of God (1993) by Karen Armstrong is an enlightening exploration of the concept of God and its evolution throughout human history. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- With detailed historical research and in-depth analysis, it provides a comprehensive understanding of how different civilizations have perceived and worshiped God.
- By examining multiple world religions and their theological traditions, the book offers a broad and inclusive perspective of the human quest for meaning and spirituality.
- Challenging conventional beliefs and delving into the complexities of faith, it prompts readers to reflect on their own spiritual journeys and invites open-minded dialogue.
Best quote from A History of God
All religions change and develop. If they do not, they will become obsolete.
—Karen Armstrong
Who should read A History of God?
- Jewish people, Christians, Muslims and all people of faith
- Historians and philosophers
- Atheists interested in the role of God in monotheistic religions
Categories with A History of God
Book summaries like A History of God
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
31 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
A History of God FAQs
What is the main message of A History of God?
A History of God explores humanity's understanding and perception of the divine across different religions and eras.
How long does it take to read A History of God?
The reading time for A History of God varies depending on the reader. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is A History of God a good book? Is it worth reading?
A History of God is worth reading as it provides a comprehensive overview of religious history, offering insights into diverse perspectives and beliefs.
Who is the author of A History of God?
The author of A History of God is Karen Armstrong.
What to read after A History of God?
If you're wondering what to read next after A History of God, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Islam by Karen Armstrong
- What Is the Bible? by Rob Bell
- Religion for Atheists by Alain de Botton
- The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins
- A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson
- Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus by Nabeel Qureshi
- The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells
- A Peace to End All Peace by David Fromkin
- How to Know a Person by David Brooks
- Outlive by Peter Attia