Lost Art Of Scripture EXPORT Paperback

Author Armstrong has written another massively researched and documented in-depth book on the world’s religions. It is a scholarly work and as such the reader should be prepared for an exhaustive historical journey into the revered scriptures, both oral, written and presented otherwise, of earths spiritual groups since the beginning of time. Opening with “a small ivory figure”, the Lion Man dated “40,000 years old” and considered “the earliest evidence of human religious activity” one is taken on a magnificent journey into the spiritual material development of mankind. It is a most worthy companion to her prior publications, especially A History of God, but more importantly it presents the reader with greater insights into how the inspired attributions and deeds we attribute to the ordained inspired teachers of ethical morality were themselves motivated.My only regret is that I would have appreciated if the respected author went one step further in her presentation. As any devoted student of religion knows, no spiritual order was constructed out of whole cloth. All faiths borrowed, highjacked, appropriated or just sponged off prior principles to untangle the web of the supernatural; attributing earthly natural events and the behaviors of all species, including mankind, to some higher force. Strains, fibers or pieces of existing ceremonial trappings, and even the actual texts or pronouncement of previous wise learned men and women were incorporated – woven, into the tapestry of new religious orders.If religion as Karl Marx once observed is the opium of the masses or as other philosophers have concluded it provides blue prints for our relationships with fellow man and the environment then to some degree all religions must contain common shared elements upon which universal principles can be constructed thereby uniting us all. By showing how a principle, first emerging in ancient holy scriptures and then appearing in the tenants of other religions that developed later, might help to bridge the chasm of distrust and perhaps hatred that has plagued mankind and resulted in countless religious wars.As Armstrong takes the reader through the development of spiritually induced declarations from every corner of the globe it would have be deeply appreciated if she took the extra time, although at 603 pages it is long, to show how the religions of mankind are linked as opposed to separated. That they have surreptitiously learned from each other although each professes to be the most perfect, and hence better than the others.The basic tenant of Judaism, through its patriarch Abraham, is featured in the gospels of Christianity and appears in Islam with these latter formed religions positively commenting on his influence as the initiator of monotheism, a singular all mighty God that all the western denominations are based upon. Many religious scholars even postulate that the Ten Commandments Moses presented to the Jewish people has its roots in the Egyptian Ritual of Judgement. After death one argues for their soul’s salvation being asked by Osiris, the chief god, a series of questions as to their virtuous actions in life. By responding positively to questions like ‘I have not killed’ one is granted entrance into the afterlife. Reframed as affirmations like ‘Thou shall not kill’ many are restated resolutions during life under the direction of YHWH, the Hebrew God. Moses, trained since birth as a Prince of Egypt, would have been well schooled in such spiritual rights and might have adopted them as fundamental offerings to his tribe of an exiled people after the exodus.Other historic religious researchers have also considered the so-called lost years in the life of Jesus, prior to his emergence as a rabbinic preacher, as a period when he was exposed to the spiritual induced teachings of the far east – Buddhism, Hinduism and Confucianism. Many of his sayings, as recorded in the gospels by his disciples, can be found in the pronounced wisdoms of these earlier sects as Armstrong skillfully takes the reader through in her book.The texts inspection into the spiritual affiliations in India and China are the most interesting sections. This is because technically many of these religious sects do not have a codified or canonized set of sacred texts or holy scriptures that are universally recognized, published and recited on a prescribed ritualistic basis. At the root of these numerous religious or in the case of the confused western interpretation of Confucianism a philosophy of life, is the simple fact that they are practiced by the individual as opposed to a required socialization of believers. Personal transformation via an individual’s internal reflection to achieve a euphorically related state of grace are contained in many of them. The catechism of the religion does not come from a strict reading and interpretation of sacred scriptures but an instructional process in which the body and mind are trained to absorb a private salvation through mindful meditation as accompanied by prescribed physical routines (stillness or body positioning or movement or all three). In these eastern religions, scripture is replaced by artful practice but they both comprise sacred paths for the faithful. To many untrained mind-sets in the west these practices fly in the face of accepted spiritual routines. Silently sitting in a corner or on the side of a mountain and contemplating one’s religious life by reciting mindful mantras or physical acting out like the whirling dervishes of Turkey spinning out of control in a ceremonial demonstration of their faith are alien and abhorrent to other sects.As noted earlier a number of distinguished Christian scholars exploring the so-called missing years of Jesus Christ, events left out of his life in the gospels between the age of twelve as he debates the temple priests and thirty as his ministry begins, speculate that he was introduced to the religions of the east in respect to internal reflection. That the times he spends in the desert alone reflect the use of such methods. Even the Koran takes due note of Mohammed’s (may peace be upon him) solitary retreats into the wastelands. Both renown prophets and even Moses when he ascends Mount Sinai for forty days and nights to receive the Twelve Commandments have in common the necessity to be alone and reach a state of spiritual grace at one with their God. These periods to receive enlightenment and allow a spiritual force to become one with the soul, a common principle in eastern religious orders, seems to have a similar refrain in the three major faiths of the west. As all religions possess this directional practice; it would have been nice if the talented author had taken the time to point it out.Armstrong repeatedly examines the directional idea on how to treat others as exhibited by her repeated reference to the Golden Rule – ‘do unto others as one would have done unto themselves.’ It shows that it is a guiding principle found in all of the world’s religions. Acknowledging that such a universal proposition is embedded in and therefore mutually shared by separate competing religious orders would certainly been a welcomed addition to her most informative treatise on sacred scriptures.Perhaps the best part of the book is the introduction before the author gets into the dense weeds of each religions historical structure. Armstrong describes holy or sacred scriptures as emanating “in a reality that exceeded the reach of the intellect.” That “There is no specific ‘God-spot’ in the human brain that yields a sense of the sacred.” And further that the brain has two hemispheres, a wider holistic side and a narrow analytical or logic literally based side that automatically “suppresses information that it cannot grasp conceptually” in order to make practical use of external inputs. Scripture like the aforementioned Lion Man spiritual figurine are products of our imagination or holistic portion of the mind. Such brain side allows for “the creation of poetry, music and religion.” (Underlining my own). It permits the use of metaphors, parables or loosely constructed anecdotes to be introduced in our communication language, and our lives. In the end scriptures is an “art” form, an expression of faithful emotion that cannot always been grasped in concrete scientific knowledge. A special internal vision that cannot be quantified in reality with no limits. Hence while religious based stories as recounted in the sacred scriptures maybe considered mythos, they serve a purpose only the human spirit can conceive. Perhaps it is a method to discover a divine unexplainable presence in ourselves that is a connecting rod to the world in which we live that we cannot logically fashion nor rationalize. Spiritual faith has reason that reason cannot explain.This is not to say religion is a mindful delusion and therefore scripture is fiction. Rather scripture, sacred declarations, be they initially symbolic depictions (pictorial or carvings), then transmitted via oral storytelling and later written down as well as ritually performed are all creative man-made reflections of the abstract to balance the obscure realities of life that cannot be fathomed. It has well served mankind and hence its value cannot be dismissed. The detailed inspection of this art offered by Armstrong is therefore important not just for the religious scholar but for all of us.Beside the enormous historical research that went into the book there are portions that offer the reader a special beautiful insight into the magical realm of the spiritual that should not be overlooked. In presenting the underlying tenants of Buddhism the author explains that the Lotus Sutra text teaches that God’s influence on man comes in varying forms. It “is like rain that descends on all plants equally but is absorbed differently by each according to is nature and capacity.” This simple metaphor explicates why there are so many religious sects in the world. While they all share the same light from above, they just receive it in relation to their separate portion or grasp. This is a significant point that again I wish the author had stressed as such thought unites us as opposed to driving us apart. Further wonderfully noted is that the word of God is allegorically described as “the sound of a wind chime, which, without being activated by anyone, produces its sound when stirred by the wind.” As such, although it is not made by mankind it is commonly heard requiring no intermediary amplifier or interpreter as the resonance is equally understood and appreciated universally. These type of text excerpts make the book so much more than just a masterful scholarly work. It provides a meaningful inspirational introduction for followers of all religious faiths that can only bring us together.

Karen Armstrong’s detailed history of the scriptural traditions of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, China, and India, shows how well they have served their adherents over time, and how much has been lost through modern misunderstanding. When scripture is intimately bound with transforming ritual and compassionate living, it is of immense value. When it is confused with science and discursive reasoning, it not only loses its power but even becomes dangerous. Here is an illuminating history and a call to better understanding.

This is one of the most enlightening books I've ever read on scriptures of the world's religions. It's a history and an exegesis which shows the common threads that run through all. Armstrong explores how the approach to scripture has changed, unfortunately leading to a loss of understanding in much of our modern world. The Golden Rule....treating others as you want to be treated...remains the heart of the matter. I highly recommend this book.

I am enjoying this author’s broad research into the interpretations ofworldwide religious faith.

This is a detailed history of the journey of humanities desire to become better and the many attempts across the world to arrive at a better place individually as well as a culture. In the journey of myth the myth is allowed to change to fit the changing and evolving culture. She expresses a desire for all of us to understand that we want to be better human beings and that the myth is a an attempt to guide us in just that journey. Problems arise when we stop the evolution of the myth and ignore that we are impacted by the fact hat we are complex creature and all aspect of our brain help us make important changes of how we think and behave. She invites us to read the sacred texts in their intended reasons for existing. This brave approach can make a difference in our world views and how we behave as individuals and nations without the need to destroy being religious.

I find all of her books incredibly interesting. In this book, she takes us into the various religion's formations in India, Palestine, China and Greece. Each chapter discusses a topic regarding all of them in turn. She shows how the scriptures developed. I love history and particularly religious history and how the beliefs developed. I am very glad to have purchased this book.

The concept behind this book is much needed in today’s world of extreme religion (or none at all). This is a well-researched and in-depth book on the history of world religions and how we interact with holy texts. I learned a lot and came away with a new perspective. However, as a layperson, it was a slow and difficult read (I’ve never looked up the meaning of so many words!). But if you’re interested in why the world’s religions are the way they are and how we might go back to our religious roots (as humans), this is an informative a unique book.

Have not read it yet. Parts I have read are very detailed.

I have read most of Karen's books and this one is as good as anything she has ever written. So many peoples lives are marred by the ignorance of how scripture should be read. They should be taken seriously but not literally and that is what Karen does. Well researched and beautifully written. It is not an easy read nor could it be bearing in mind the subject matter, but don't be daunted.

This is a really great book. well-written, informative and insightful. I've read most of her books and enjoyed all of them. This is very comprehensive and quite dense, so it can be tough going in places. I finished it but may have skimmed over some of the text. But I'll re-visit.

Karen Armstrong is one of the best writers on belief I know. I have several of her books and admire them greatly. On this occasion however she had clearly done so much research she had too much information to work with and the promise of the title is lost in the endless recital of religious history. Maybe she steps back and analyses her findings at the end but I fear I may never get there. If you haven't read earlier works though don't let this put you off

I read Karen Armstrong's two autobiographies a few summers ago as I was in the midst of a faith crisis and they were lifegiving. I followed these with A History of God which is majestic. The Lost Art of Scripture is just as enthralling, and hugely refreshing - even though I do not concur with all the suppositions she brings to the party.Highly recommended.

Lots of challenging ideas in here. An uncomfortable read for fundamentalists of any faith. Particularly those who are print literalists. It explores how much more we have in common rather than our differences.