God Against the Gods: The History of
the War Between Monotheism and
Polytheism by Jonathan Kirsch
Paganism Lost Out To Manipulative Conversion Cults
As conflicts over religious extremism dominate our front pages, the
bestselling author of The Harlot by the Side of the Road presents a work
of history that could not be more timely: a surprising look back at the
origins of religious intolerance during the tumultuous fourth century.
This is the epic story of how classical paganism, with its tolerance for many
deities and beliefs, lost a centuries-long struggle with monotheism and its
chauvinistic insistence on belief in one God. With his trademark blend of
wit and scholarship, Kirsch traces the war of God against the gods from
its roots in Ancient Egypt to its climax during the last stand of paganism
the tumultuous fourth century, when two passionate, charismatic, and
revolutionary Roman emperors, the Christian Constantine and the pagan
Julian, changed the course of history and shaped the world we live in
today.
Features:
* ISBN13: 9780142196335
* Condition: NEW
* Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
Personal Review: God Against the Gods: The History of the War
Between Monotheism and Polytheism by Jonathan Kirsch
This book was certainly enlightening. I felt the author provided a genuine
and fascinating grasp on a subject I constantly long to know more about:
the schism between the Pagan and the Christian world view. The author's
pace is perfect, it flows, the story begins in Egypt and ends with an
epilogue about our own modern world. We are indebted to the Pagan
world for the liberal viewpoints we cherish but there are aspects of
Christianity that permeate our culture and offer guidance.
It continually amazes me how often human beings have murdered and
maimed for the sake of their 'faith'. How zealots darken the world by trying
to order and destroy those who oppose their one-sided viewpoints. I
believe Christian tenets offer us guidance as much as Paganism offers us
self-exploration. Sadly, the politics of man continually interrupt the
progress of goodness.
An excellent read for those who want insight into a vast study. The reader
will learn about Judaic as well as Christian martyrdom, the rise of
Constantine the Great, about the Emperor Julian and his longing to re-
establish paganism in the dying days of the Roman Empire. For those who
are a little shaky with their ancient history, it provides some interesting
background on the religious cults of the Greeks and Romans.
For the history buffs... definitely and for those passionate about trying to
understand man's inhumanity to man.
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