The Lost Art of Scripture

Starred review from August 26, 2019
Religious historian Armstrong (A History of God) examines the world’s major religions to make her case that modern humanity has lost track of what scripture meant in the past and, in the process, departed from the compassionate heart of those faiths in her most profound, important book to date. She notes that scriptural narratives had never claimed to be accurate factual accounts; therefore, dismissing them as having no value because they don’t conform to “modern scientific and historical norms” is a mistake. Armstrong traces the development of scriptural canons in India and China, as well as in the monotheistic faith traditions of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, and how religions grappled with social inequity, which she views as inevitable in preindustrial economies—and inexcusable now. Along the way, she shows how “in all cultures, scripture was essentially a work in progress, constantly changing to meet new conditions,” a rebuttal to contemporary rigid literalist readings. Both nonbelievers and believers will find her diagnosis—that most people now read scripture to confirm their own views, rather than to achieve transformation—on the mark. “It is essential for human survival that we find a way to rediscover the sacrality of each human being and resacralise our world.” This is an instant classic of accessible and relevant religious history.

September 15, 2019
The forgotten value and purpose of sacred scripture. In her latest, esteemed religion writer Armstrong (Fields of Blood: Religion and the History of Violence, 2014, etc.), an ambassador for the U.N. Alliance of Civilizations, once again demonstrates her encyclopedic knowledge of the world's religions. Here, she argues that modernity--and its tendency toward rationalism, literalism, and left-brain thinking--has robbed religions worldwide of the mystical and elastic power of scripture. The author champions "the forward-thrusting dynamic of scripture, which has no qualms about abandoning the 'original' vision but ransacks the past to find meaning in the present." Throughout most of history, Armstrong shows, scripture did just that. It changed over time and in so doing helped adherents cope with changing times. In recent centuries, this quality has been altered, and "scripture, an art form originally to be interpreted imaginatively, had now to be as rational as science if it was to be taken seriously." Armstrong argues that the trend of many movements to return to the source of the faith traditions behind their scriptures led believers to look backward when they most needed to look ahead. This mistaken view of scripture was further compounded by modernity's elevation of science and reason, forcing people of faith to read scriptures literally as opposed to allegorically. Literalism, argues the author, leads either to fundamentalism or skepticism, either of which have negative consequences for any religion. Though the author adroitly switches among Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Confucianism, and many other faith traditions, Western religions and Western thought are her primary reference points. Armstrong's grasp of global religious history and thought is beyond impressive, but the depth of her analysis will overwhelm many general readers--though the 25-page glossary is helpful. For those willing to travel this road with the author, the journey is expansive and worthwhile and will make them reconsider what scripture means to those who admire it. Excellent reading for religious scholars and students.

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November 15, 2019
Armstrong, one of the premier authors on religion, here takes on sacred texts?their evolution, their necessity, and how they are used and misused in today's turbulent world. She begins, rather unexpectedly, with a discussion of left- and right-brain functions, reminding us that the former deals with the pragmatic and empirical, while the latter addresses the elements of transcendence?the arts, nature, love, and religion. How these two neurological differences have affected humanity's perceptions of reality and the development of sacred texts informs the book throughout. Never one to play small ball, Armstrong then offers readers a penetrating look at scriptures from major world religions as well as smaller religious groups like the Jains. Interlaced with the scriptures' stories are reflections on how they helped and hindered their adherents and the overlapping effects they had on each other and the world Though she writes with panache, the book is, at times, more academic than some readers will want. But there are always surprising bits of history and flashes of insight, and a formidable postscript discusses scripture's ultimate purpose and how it's often twisted to fit today's sensibilities.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)

December 6, 2019

Prolific writer and defender of religious belief Armstrong (ambassador, United Nations Alliance of Civilizations; The Case for God) calls for a return to the lost art of reading scripture not as static teachings, but as living documents that need to be responded to and applied in appropriate ways to current events. The author's vast knowledge of world scriptures comes through on every page, as does her belief that all scripture reading must lead to compassion. The majority of the book looks at how scripture has been read or misread over the years. In a final chapter, Armstrong calls for exegetes who study the meaning of scripture to apply its lessons to contemporary issues, such as global warming. As with her previous books, Armstrong fiercely and eloquently argues that religion is not an evil, but rather a promoter of understanding and kindness. VERDICT A scholarly yet accessible study of world scriptures, and an elegant argument for embracing them as they have traditionally been read. This will appeal to those who view scripture as a life-giving resource that enhances instead of restricts readers' understanding to literal interpretation. [See Prepub Alert, 5/13/19.]--Augustine J. Curley, Newark Abbey, NJ

Copyright 2019 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2019

Highly regarded and sometimes embattled for her studies on religion (e.g., The Case for God), Armstrong examines the meaning of sacred texts in a world where the Quran has been used to justify terrorism, the Torah to deny Palestinians the right to live in Israel, and the Bible to condemn homosexuality. She argues that narrow reading of sacred texts to bolster certain beliefs is a recent phenomenon missing what the texts were meant for: a way to connect with the divine. With a 75,000-copy first printing.

Copyright 2019 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.