In The Beginning
A book review by Rev. John R. Green
Shown with John Green's blessing
A book review by Rev. John R. Green
Shown with John Green's blessing
In her new interpretation of Genesis, Karen Armstrong depicts what the two writers of Genesis thought they knew about God, having but a partial revelation of Him. It should be noted that as Armstrong is writing to impress Jews, Muslims and Christians evenly she does not observe that complete revelation of God is found in Jesus Christ.
The two authors of Genesis saw God in both positive and negative lights. He, to them, is the benevolent creator of a world which He deems good and to be enjoyed by the human creatures of His creation. He strives mightily to restore human kind to live in harmony with Him, following the disobedience which separtated them from Him. But he has favorites as witnessed by His choosing Abel over Cain for no acceptable reason. In the Garden of Eden He wants human and animal to live harmoniously - people are to be vegetarians. Yet Abel's sacrifice of a lamb is preferred over Cain's offering of grain. God, however, does protect those who defy Him, as was true of Cain. The two authors of Genesis also see God as a destroyer of the creation He called good. But the God of Genesis repents of the evil He did in destroying the world.
Karen Armstrong makes clear that the characters the Genesis writers accept are not the revered ones she experienced during her Sunday School days. Noah was no more moral than any of those who perished in the deluge. He manifested no concern for their fate. Awakened while naked in a drunken stupor, he cursed his more righteous son, Ham, declaring that his descendents would live in perpetual slavery or servitude. This action was utilized by bigoted Christians to defend slavery, citing the Hamites as Negroes; but, of course, the Hamites were not Negroes.
Abraham is seen as being both evil and good. He is a man of amazing faith in God, for which he was highly praised by Christ. His faith led him to the promised land, and he is recognized as the father of Jews, Muslims, and Christians. He was quick to offer hospitality to strangers, but offered his daughters as prostitutes. Armstrong notes how contemporary society would address such action.
While he pleaded with God to spare the people of wicked Sodomon, he made no similar request for Isaac, for whom he had little regard. Again, Armstrong points to how our present day legal system would ponder over a man who claims that God ordered him to kill his son, especially if he followed through with the assignment. As a family man Abraham was dismal. He had sex with the servant Hagar to produce a son prior to the miraculous birth of Isaac. Then he banished Hagar and her son, Ishmael, to exile with inadequate food to prevent starvation. Ishmael was definitely superior to Issac and became the Father of the Arabs.
Isaac was weak and ineffectual. He did, however, marry Rebecca, who was a credit to the human race. Lot was not productive but self indulgent insomuch for the Patriarchs. Jacob is hardly seen as a shining example of morality, having cheated his brother, Essau, out of his birthright. But he was persistent in his attempts to win God's blessing, and his offspring fathered the 12 tribes of Israel. Joseph is viewed as a nobler character in the Genesis drama. At first, arrogant and unforgiving toward his brothers, he then forgave them and rescued his father and them from starvation. He served his God and host nation well.
Karen Armstrong emphasizes that the blessed life is possible for all creatures - we can find our correct element and thrive therein. Of course, Chistians will see a flaw in her not recognizing Christ as the total revelation of God. She evidences no disagreement with God as the authors of Genesis visualized him. But God is partially revealed in Genesis, further revealed through the prophets and ultimately in Christ.
It is questioned whether Armstrong's interpretation of Genesis is in all reality "New". Much of it is seen in other writings pertaining to the Bible. But she brilliantly delves below the surface of what is commonly thought about in the inaugural book of the Holy Bible.
John Ash of the Washington Post calls her work "Splendid..essential reading for Jews, Christians and Muslims alike.
I commend it to all who are in pursuit of knowledge about Holy Scritures and seeking a deeper communion with our Lord.
Author Karen Armstrong
PBS Religion & Ethics
NewsWeekly interview