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God: A Biography by Jack Miles β€” book cover

God: A Biography

by Jack Miles
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Overview

What sort of "person" is God? 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? In this "brilliant, audacious book" (Chicago Tribune), a former Jesuit marshalls a vast array of learning and knowledge of the Hebrew Bible to illuminate God--and man--with a sense of discovery and wonder.

In this close, careful, and inspired reading of God's "life" as told in the Old Testament--book by book, verse by verse--God is seen from his first appearance as Creator to his last as Ancient of Days, variously powerful yet powerless, savage yet gentle, endlessly subtle yet mysteriously naive.

Synopsis

What sort of "person" is God? 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? In this "brilliant, audacious book" (Chicago Tribune), a former Jesuit marshalls a vast array of learning and knowledge of the Hebrew Bible to illuminate God—and man—with a sense of discovery and wonder.

Publishers Weekly

Former Jesuit Miles offers a detailed analysis of the nature and character of God as he appears in the Old Testament. (Apr.)

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Editorials

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Former Jesuit Miles offers a detailed analysis of the nature and character of God as he appears in the Old Testament. (Apr.)

Library Journal

Despite its provocative title, this is a serious attempt to come to an understanding of the portrayal of God in the Tanakh, i.e., the books of the Hebrew Scriptures in the order of the Hebrew Bible, as opposed to the order in the Old Testament. Miles, a former Jesuit with a Ph.D. in Near Eastern languages who is currently a member of the editorial board of the Los Angeles Times, offers "knowledge of God as a literary character." While some may not care for how God is portrayed-at one point he is "whiny"-the book will appeal to believers and nonbelievers alike as an excellent introduction to the Hebrew Scriptures that does not read like a Scripture commentary. Recommended for all collections.-Augustine J. Curley, Newark Abbey, N.J.

Book Details

Published
March 1, 1996
Publisher
Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group
Pages
464
Format
Paperback
ISBN
9780679743682

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