The Great Transformation: The Beginning of Our Religious Traditions

Although the book was interesting, it presented more cultural and historical information that I was expecting. It turned out, for me, that the last chapter of the book summed up the premise of the book. It also gave a good description of how Jesus and Muhammad's lives represented essentially an aggregation of all the major elements of all these religious traditions. It gave a particularly...more

Although the book was interesting, it presented more cultural and historical information that I was expecting. It turned out, for me, that the last chapter of the book summed up the premise of the book. It also gave a good description of how Jesus and Muhammad's lives represented essentially an aggregation of all the major elements of all these religious traditions. It gave a particularly good, concise overview of the inception of Islam. Finally it touches on how institutional religion has distorted these religious traditions emphasizing characteristics each want to advance, to the detriment of the whole of respective religious tradition. This is a point that Marcus Borg explores in his books, particularly in The Last Week, a study of the last week of Jesus life. Unless you are particularly interested in the historical and cultural aspects of the development of our religious traditions this is not a book I would recommend.I believe Marcus Borg makes the points about interpreting religious scripture will in his books Reading the Bible Again for the First Time and Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time.   hide

If you want to get some perspective on the major religions of the world, this is essential...

Not one of her better works

Words fail. If you have an interest in culture, history or religion - past, present or future - read this book.