In 'God: A Biography', Jack Miles presents a captivating exploration of the character of God as depicted in the Hebrew Bible. Rather than a theological treatise, Miles offers a literary analysis, portraying God as a complex figure who evolves throughout the narratives. Readers will discover the emotional depth and contradictions of this divine character, raising thought-provoking questions about faith, identity, and morality. Miles invites us to see God not just as an omnipotent being, but as a relatable character with a profound, multifaceted story. This innovative approach promises to challenge preconceived notions and inspire readers to reconsider their own beliefs.
By Jack Miles
Published: 1996
""God is a character in the greatest story ever told, shaped by the narratives and the interplay of human experience, as much as by divine intention.""
WINNER OF THE PULITZER PRIZE What sort of "person" is God? What is his "life story"? Is it possible to approach him not as an object of religious reverence, but as the protagonist of the world's greatest book—as a character who possesses all the depths, contradictions, and abiguities of a Hamlet? This is the task that Jack Miles—a former Jesuit trained in religious studies and Near Eastern languages—accomplishes with such brilliance and originality in God: A Biography. Using the Hebrew Bible as his text, Miles shows us a God who evolves through his relationship with man, the image who in time becomes his rival. Here is the Creator who nearly destroys his chief creation; the bloodthirsty warrior and the protector of the downtrodden; the lawless law-giver; the scourge and the penitent. Profoundly learned, stylishly written, the resulting work illuminates God and man alike and returns us to the Bible with a sense of discovery and wonder.
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“"God is a character in the greatest story ever told, shaped by the narratives and the interplay of human experience, as much as by divine intention."”
God
By Jack Miles
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Jack Miles is an acclaimed author and scholar known for his profound insights into the spiritual and moral dimensions of religious texts. His notable works include 'God: A Biography,' which won the Pulitzer Prize for Biography in 1996, and 'Christ: A Crisis in the Life of God.' Miles' writing style is characterized by its blend of scholarly rigor and elegant prose, making complex theological concepts accessible to a wide audience. He explores themes of divinity, humanity, and the intersection of religion and literature, establishing himself as a significant voice in contemporary theology.
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