God: Brief History, A

Description: The human search for truth has led to massive achievements in science and technology. It has also led to God: this book tells the story of that search for God. It explains: how the search for Goddess and God began and developed; how the human brain and body open the way to God; how the meaning of God is expressed in art, sex, story, music and architecture; how science and God belong together in the human search for truth; and how that search has led to amazing discoveries. It explores: why evil acts are committed in the name of God; why the death of God occurs so often, and yet God still persists; why prayer and praise are such an important part of human nature; and why the search for God points to the revelation of God. In this book, John Bowker's insightful text is enhanced by hundreds of photographs, illustrations, maps and charts, and accompanied by passages from sacred books and works of poetry, philosophy, praise and devotion. All these elements combine to make "God - A Brief History" an unparalleled exploration of the human search for eternal truth in all ages and cultures. Contents: Part 1 Introduction: the death of God; rejecting God; the images of God; speaking of God; experiencing the world; experiencing God; phenomenology; God and values; the death and life of God. Part 2 In the beginning: introduction and timeline; Goddess; the natural world; symbol and sign; music; ritual; myth; sacrifice; architecture; art. Part 3 India: introduction and timeline; Tamil Nadu; Indus valley; sacrifice; three and one; criticisms of God; the fierce deities; Amitabha; early philosophies; Rama and "Ramayana"; Hanuman; the Puranas; the Upanishads; philosophers; Vishnu; Krishna; Krishna and Radha; Vishnu and Krishna; Krishna and devotion; sex and Tantra; Shiva; Shiva's sons; devotion to Shiva; Goddess and Shakti; Goddess and God; Kabir; Sikhs; sound; Mandala and Yantra; temples of India; pilgrimage; knowledge and love; from Tagore to Gandhi. Part 4 The religions of Asia: introduction and timeline: oracle bones; Tian; Confucius; nature and God; Daode jing; three from one; the investiture of the Gods; Buddhas and Bodhisattvas; Korea; Korea and Japan; Japan; temples and ritual; mountains. Part 5 The religions of Abraham: introduction and timeline for Judaism; the Bible and God; God and Lord; defeat of the gods; the anger of God; the love of God; the holiness of God; temple, holiness and priests; sacrifice and psalms; the exile; Zoroaster; after the exile; scripture; change and stability; wisdom; creation; suffering; the rabbis; the synagogue; liturgy; Kabbalah; Maimonides; the Hasidim; the Holocaust; introduction and timeline for Christianity; the background; Paul; Jesus; the New Testament; the person of Christ; Jesus and God; three in one; the east-west debate; darkness and light; the negative way; Celtic Christianity; Augustine; Benedict and Dominic; Francis; Thomas Aquinas; Dante; the way of unknowing; architecture; liturgy and drama; music; art; icons; from Greece to Russia; Luther and Calvin; Teresa and John; Ignatius; John Wesley; America; new clothes for old beliefs; God and myth; beyond reason; liberation theology; introduction and timeline for Islam; Muhammad; the vision in the cave; the Quran; calligraphy; Allah in the Quran; God's power; Sufis; Rabia; alHallaj; ibn Arabi; the conference of birds; Rumi; Sufi orders; Sharia; the mosque; alFarabi; ibn Sina; alGhazali; Jihad and martyrdom. Part 6 In the end.