The Evolution of God

The Evolution of God truth explored and revealed

Robert Wright captured my spirit from the first page sharing his own personal religious expression through the response from his mother's church. The answers for the personal decision to seek, believe, or worship God is an individual one. The book explores man's many reasons for the search. This book expanded my mind having me rethink history, and man's understanding of the world, while connecting past behavior to why I, today, follow the practices that I do. The book was thought provoking revealing religious practices, and beliefs from past, current, and future possibilities. Where are we going, and is it important to know the ending, or is the bases for it all living within our connection to breath which is the common factor for life. What do you think?

7 out of 7 people found this review helpful.

The Evolution of God

This is a fantastic book. If you find the evolution of religious thought interesting, you will enjoy this publication. Anyone that takes the time to read this offering will understand why religions have been with us throughout history. Although, the author may not see religions in a positive light, he does believe that they can help people to live in harmony. Buy, read, learn, and enjoy.

6 out of 7 people found this review helpful.

This book attempts to find commonality in the conflicting religions of the world.

The Evolution of God dares to address the history including similarities and differences in three religions (Christianity, Judaism, and Mohammedanism) that all claim to worship the same god. The book is innovative and insightful in its treatment of where the religions started and how they changed in time as much by the needs of man at the time as by devine inspiration. It is good food for thought presenting compelling facts and reasoning to a subject that is usually overridden with dogma.

5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

A well written and thought out dispassionate look at the evolution of the concept of "God" in the 3 Abrahamic religions.

The idea of a secular view of God is very provocative. This book, even with Mr. Wright's frequent flippant comments is definitely not an easy read and behind all the snide and snarky remarks lies serious matter for thought, though probably not for discussion. I found the book engaging and difficult to put down. His major premise of religion adjusting to the "truths on the ground", true or not, was well argued. Many historical examples are invoked to support his position, most of which I, personally, must take on faith that he is correct.

I think his little sermon at the end on how to address the current issues with the Moslem world on the mark but probably more appropriate for the Op-Ed pages of the New York Times than this book.

Overall, one of the best personal development books I've ever read.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Slick, glib, shallow

Wright's explanaiton of St. Paul's success by his own admission is highly speculative, incomplete and one dimensional. So what is the point? He is honest in admitting the limitations of his approach and conclusions but also tries to leave the reader with the impression that he has explained Paul and early Christianity. He has not. Paul was more than the slick entrepreneur that Wright makes him out to be. His comments at time are too facile, even silly. See his characterization of Tertullian's famous remark that pagans would marvel at the love Christians showed to one another. For Wright this means they did not love all humanity.

Wright does not cite in his bibliongraphy works by Gesa Vermes, Paula Fredriksen, Raymond Brown and John Meier (except for Vol 1 of Meier's magisterial four volume history of Christ and first century Christianity and Israel) That is almost enough grounds to dismiss the book which at times reads like a management consultant report at a business conference.

John Mulqueen

2 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

How Nabu, the Mesopotamian god of accounting, and others influenced the evolution of western monotheism

Wright provides engaging, comprehensible descriptions of the emergence of different religious streams that built into the three western monotheistic faiths: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. He is clear on his sources, his facts and his speculation. His objective, admittedly materialistic approach assesses how certain strains of thought came to dominate and others disappeared. His key dynamic is his assumption that over time, self interest drives people to select for non-zero sum paths.

Wright's own path and conclusions may be rote stuff to religion scholars, but as a somewhat religious and educated person, I found most of them quite intriguing. It's fascinating but not necessarily fun. I found myself thinking "Gee, I didn't really need to know that" a few times, as certain assumptions about the development of the Old Testament were dissected.

The wrap-up and conclusions with Wright's view on how a contemporary intellectual can reconcile faith with science is interesting, complex and, at least in my case, less satisfying.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Evolving God

Traces how our perception and views of God have changed from early beginnings of religion to how we see our relationship with God now. Does not actually force a reader to believe in God but just details how historical events have changed how "God" is viewed by Christians, Jews and Muslims and how we must look at things to follow our religious beliefs. This is not a quick read and the author makes a few assumptions that I could not agree with, but in all a very good book.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Open your mind and listen

This is an amazing book. Robert Wright use extensive research and dry wit to provide a forum for understanding so much about our religious beliefs. He moves into areas that are uncomfortable for those who are not willing to take a hard look at their own belief system.

Whether you agree or not with his conclusions (and he hesitates to draw many instead leaving it open for you to decide) it is hard to argue with his logic. This book makes you want to read more, learn more and understand more of things we really don't have the answer to & yet have the most profound impact on our lives.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great walk through alternative history for a mainstream point

This is a great book that gives credence to all peoples beliefs, like a landscape flowing it cracks of water into one major point. It it is a non-bias read, and nobody ought to make comment unless they are willing to stay the course on this one. A good follow up read would be "The Missing Message" by G Michael Price

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

READ ESSAY BASED ON THIS BOOK IN JUNE 15 TIME MAGAZINE BEFORE DECIDING

Mr. Wright's brilliant and persuasive article, Decoding God's Changing Moods, propelled me to order The Evolution of God forthwith. I expect the book (upon which the article is based) will contain the same witty and logical overview of history and its effect on mankind's perceptions of God. Upon actually reading the book, just released, I may submit a proper review.

1 out of 7 people found this review helpful.

Too Hip and Cool

This author loves the "zero sum game" and "thinking out of the box" too much. He turns boredom into aggravation with his style.

0 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

A very realistic view of religion.

This book is an excellent history of religion. It makes you think and question the religion you grew up with. It makes you think about how religion has to change to keep up with science.

Excellent

Excellent. Well organized and clearly written.

A clear-minded examination of the evolution of our concept of God in the three Abrahamic religions.

A detailed, well documented study of the development of the idea of God in Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Professor Wright approaches the subject with as neutral a position as is humanly possible--even raising doubt as to the actual existence of God. This is good history, lucidly written.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.