Rating: 
Summary: Genesis with no mention of the Nephilim!? Bah!
Review: "In the Beginning" takes a modern look at the teachings of the book that starts it all, Genesis. I suspect that the read should be enjoyable to the believers and unbelievers alike. ( believers, excluding fundamentalists who are offended when anyone suggests anything less than orthodox about Yahweh ) In the earlier portions of Armstrong's work, she hits the nail right on the head about why people misinterpret this book. (and all of scripture for that matter) They treat scripture as a "holy encyclopedia" as she put it. They think that every word in Genesis is literal, and that evolutionary biology is gravely mistaken. Karen reminds us that, "The true meaning of scripture can never be wholly comprised in a literal reading of the text, since that text points beyond itself to a reality which cannot adequately be expressed in words and concepts. " (pp. 5) And that, "Our authors are not interested in historical accuracy." (pp. 7) We might regard a 'myth' as an untruth, but in the premodern world it was regarded as a psychological form charting the inner world. Her commentary's main focus is on the nature of religion, and God himself. She looks at it then and now, and brings up the difference in portrayal as given in the book of Genesis and modern Christian theology. She purports to show God as arbitrary, big emphasis on this, and unpredictable. Not only this but that the Genesis authors are inconsistent when writing about God, we can't fully understand the divine. She compares what "faith" was in that day, how a true religious life was lived, and the emphasis of all the great religions, kindness to others. You should try this work if you would like to open up to an alternate perspective on the God of the Israelites, and his intervention in human antiquity.
Rating:
Summary: nice work, not up to her usual standard
Review: "In the Beginning" takes a modern look at the teachings of the book that starts it all, Genesis. I suspect that the read should be enjoyable to the believers and unbelievers alike. ( believers, excluding fundamentalists who are offended when anyone suggests anything less than orthodox about Yahweh ) In the earlier portions of Armstrong's work, she hits the nail right on the head about why people misinterpret this book. (and all of scripture for that matter) They treat scripture as a "holy encyclopedia" as she put it. They think that every word in Genesis is literal, and that evolutionary biology is gravely mistaken. Karen reminds us that, "The true meaning of scripture can never be wholly comprised in a literal reading of the text, since that text points beyond itself to a reality which cannot adequately be expressed in words and concepts. " (pp. 5) And that, "Our authors are not interested in historical accuracy." (pp. 7) We might regard a 'myth' as an untruth, but in the premodern world it was regarded as a psychological form charting the inner world. Her commentary's main focus is on the nature of religion, and God himself. She looks at it then and now, and brings up the difference in portrayal as given in the book of Genesis and modern Christian theology. She purports to show God as arbitrary, big emphasis on this, and unpredictable. Not only this but that the Genesis authors are inconsistent when writing about God, we can't fully understand the divine. She compares what "faith" was in that day, how a true religious life was lived, and the emphasis of all the great religions, kindness to others. You should try this work if you would like to open up to an alternate perspective on the God of the Israelites, and his intervention in human antiquity.
Rating:
Summary: Genesis with no mention of the Nephilim!? Bah!
Review: "In the Beginning" takes a modern look at the teachings of the book that starts it all, Genesis. I suspect that the read should be enjoyable to the believers and unbelievers alike. ( believers, excluding fundamentalists who are offended when anyone suggests anything less than orthodox about Yahweh ) In the earlier portions of Armstrong's work, she hits the nail right on the head about why people misinterpret this book. (and all of scripture for that matter) They treat scripture as a "holy encyclopedia" as she put it. They think that every word in Genesis is literal, and that evolutionary biology is gravely mistaken. Karen reminds us that, "The true meaning of scripture can never be wholly comprised in a literal reading of the text, since that text points beyond itself to a reality which cannot adequately be expressed in words and concepts. " (pp. 5) And that, "Our authors are not interested in historical accuracy." (pp. 7) We might regard a 'myth' as an untruth, but in the premodern world it was regarded as a psychological form charting the inner world. Her commentary's main focus is on the nature of religion, and God himself. She looks at it then and now, and brings up the difference in portrayal as given in the book of Genesis and modern Christian theology. She purports to show God as arbitrary, big emphasis on this, and unpredictable. Not only this but that the Genesis authors are inconsistent when writing about God, we can't fully understand the divine. She compares what "faith" was in that day, how a true religious life was lived, and the emphasis of all the great religions, kindness to others. You should try this work if you would like to open up to an alternate perspective on the God of the Israelites, and his intervention in human antiquity.
Rating: 
Summary: armstrong writes well, thoughts shallow & hostile
Review: Armstrong is a smooth popular writer, but her thoughts on the Bible, as in her other books, reflect a shallow and superficial reading of the texts, which she uses to put forth her own ideas. Armstrong may impress some readers as 'objective' because she 'dares' to be critical of the figures in the Old Testament: but seeing the patriarchs as flawed human beings in Bible 101. Her other main idea, presenting the Hebrew God as capricious, vengeful and arbirtrary is to miss the whole contribution of Judaism to world thought - and is all too familiar an attitude of Catholics (she is an ex-nun, and very anti-Israel politically) reading the Hebrew Bible with hostility. See "The Gifts of the Jews: How a Tribe of Desert Nomads Changed the Way Everyone Thinks and Feels" by Thomas Cahill. The God of the Genesis is the first time in human history that humans saw creation as orderly, meaningful, with higher moral values. To understand why the God of GEnesis is emotional and not an impersonal unemotional divine force, read Heschel.
Rating: 
Summary: Theological Hand Grenades With A Feminine Touch
Review: Armstrong's exposition of Genesis is a powerful antidote to traditional teaching about the Bible. She takes no prisoners in demonstrating the contradictory and quarrelsome god of the Bible is really awesome when he gets "ticked off."Now we can almost understand the modern Holocaust and why bad things happened, in general, to good people. But what is new about "A New Interpretation of Genesis?" Not much, other than the pages of this little work are littered with theological hand grenades from this "free lance monotheist." Her thoughts detonate on the pages even as she seems to accept the "voices" in the narrative as though they had been captured in "You are There" scenes by modern tape recorders! Most appealing in this series of "meditations" on Genesis is her cutting the patriarchs down to size. After Armstrong's dissection several could have been buried in a single matchbox. Yes, they deserve it. But should we not note that Ms. Armstrong is a part time lecturer at Leo Baeck College in London. Of course, this comment is purely in the spirit of fair treatment for "ancient & revered male figures." But back to Baeck. The faculty of LBC appears to be almost 50 percent reformed rabbis/teachers such as Rabbi Shirley, Rabbi Susie and Rabbi Sarah. Clearly, men are slipping when it comes to overthrowing our sacred traditions! However, most of us are not "blessed" with the intellect, wit and bodacious spirit that Karen Armstrong projects so very well on paper. Interesting, very interesting! Too bad her sources don't take us below the words placed in the character's mouths by an unknown number of editors and translators of Genesis.
Rating:
Summary: Illuminating and insightful
Review: As a biblical scholar and as an author who has also taken a long look at the book of Genesis (Eric Westra, "A New Beginning", 2000), I am well aware of the complexities and subtle nuances found within the text of Genesis. I was very impressed with Armstrong's firm grasp of the biblical text with all of its complexities, while at the same time never coming across as being pedantic, obtuse, or closed-minded. Armstrong opened my mind to things I had not previously considered. To anyone interested in probing the layers of meaning that can be found beyond a simple reading of Genesis, I highly recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: Superb analysis, enjoyable, but little bang for the buck
Review: I don't wish to repeat the positive reviews already here. Suffice to say, Armstrong has written a logical analysis of Gensis that will likely offend some fundamentalists, but will ring true to others, from Christians who don't take the Bible literally to agnostics or atheists who just wish to learn a little more. While I enjoyed this book immensely, readers should be aware that the original meat of the material, excluding the actual text of Genesis, is less than 120 pages -- and these are small pages. If this book was printed in typical hardback dimensions the original content written by Armstrong would likely be no more than 80 pages. I simply wish that Ms. Armstrong had either lengthened her analysis and discussion or had gone on to other books in the Bible. I want a little more bang for my buck if I'm going to buy a book. What's here is great, there's just so little of it. Buyers should just be aware that they're buying a very short read.
Rating:
Summary: Superb analysis, enjoyable, but little bang for the buck
Review: I don't wish to repeat the positive reviews already here. Suffice to say, Armstrong has written a logical analysis of Gensis that will likely offend some fundamentalists, but will ring true to others, from Christians who don't take the Bible literally to agnostics or atheists who just wish to learn a little more. While I enjoyed this book immensely, readers should be aware that the original meat of the material, excluding the actual text of Genesis, is less than 120 pages -- and these are small pages. If this book was printed in typical hardback dimensions the original content written by Armstrong would likely be no more than 80 pages. I simply wish that Ms. Armstrong had either lengthened her analysis and discussion or had gone on to other books in the Bible. I want a little more bang for my buck if I'm going to buy a book. What's here is great, there's just so little of it. Buyers should just be aware that they're buying a very short read.
Rating:
Summary: A brilliant interpretation of Genesis
Review: In The Beginning is written by the author of The History of God, Karen Armstrong. In The History of God, the author has left us with the indefatigable impression on the depth and width of the her intellectual and rendition power. She has without missing a single bit continued with her immense capabilities in writing In The Beginning. Her objectivity is simple breathtaking, which is almost a novelty in religious authorship. In The Beginning deals with the first and perhaps most fascination for many, book of the Bible, Genesis. She provides a thorough and a well thought out description of the patriarch's character and personalities and most significantly, of God Himself as presented in Genesis. Any individual with a christianity background, would undoubtedly have a semblance of knowledge of the stories and individuals of the Book of Genesis. Christianity teachings are often absorbed at an early age where trust and naivety are at the forefront of personality traits. And here often lies the spiritual block and impediment of many. Certain interpretations or teachings (based on the convenient of the church or individuals) have been so deeply ingrated that a necessary reinterpretation and different facet of understanding is often impossible. Karen Armstrong however has managed to transcend these and provided us with almost scientific objectivity in her interpretation and conclusion. Each and every point is based on the written verses in Genesis itself. No religious compunction is felt. The reader is invited to make their own personal interpretation and spiritual discovery. A revaluation of childhood christianity teaching and belief is often necessary in the adult's spiritual progress in order to obtain a deeper faith in christianity. Such a revaluation is provided in this book and no doubt will be valued by many.
Rating:
Summary: New perspectives on Judeo-Christian foundation narratve
Review: Karen Armstrong provides an enlightening introduction into the foundation narratives of the Judeo-Christian tradition. She analyses the complex human relationships in Genesis, depicting the fathers of the faith as multifaceted characters. The author maintains that Genesis is not a moral text, that it deals with separation rather than sin, and claims that the book's message is that integration and wholeness can only be achieved by the individual coming to terms with her/his own nature. The stories of Genesis have a timeless quality because they speak to parts of the spirit that remain hidden to us, yet they exert a compelling fascination. A reading of this book suggests why psychoanalysis began as a predominantly Jewish discipline. Long before modern psychology, the authors of ancient Israel had already started to investigate the unmapped territories of the human heart and mind. They considered the struggle with the emotions and with the past as the theatre of the religious quest. By seeking reconciliation with those who have hurt them in the past and by attempting to resolve inner conflicts, people would attain the harmony and peace that characterises the sacred. Because the authors of Genesis were dealing with such difficult matters, they provided very few exact teachings or simple messages, no clear theology and no shared consensus. Even though Genesis has played such an important role in shaping the Judeo-Christian tradition, the book can often challenge our religious preconceptions and like all human reflections on the divine, it cannot adequately express the often confusing reality to which it directs our focus. Armstrong's work is always thought provoking and this book is no exception. In The Beginning concludes with a helpful bibliography and index.
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