How Did God Get Started?
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3.0 • 2 Ratings
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- $7.99
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- $7.99
Publisher Description
Faith comes from the Jews. Reason comes from the Greeks. Never the twain shall meet. Historians discredited this conventional wisdom on faith and reason over a century ago, but so far no one has come up with a new narrative to replace it. Perhaps that's because the truth is rather startling: the origins of faith lie in the rise of reason itself. Drawing on the work of E. R. Dodds and other modern scholars, Colin Wells, whose earlier books include Sailing from Byzantium and A Brief History of History, offers a new historical explanation of exclusive monotheism's origins in the Greco-Roman world.
Customer Reviews
Unique and smart thesis.
A provocative and well written essay. That Wells was able to synthesize his vast knowledge of the classics to formulate a thesis like this is a feat in itself to behold. My first read through stunned and impressed but each subsequent read has been more critical and raised objections. For example, the characterization of ‘faith’ as a response to naturalistic reason evoked a knee jerk “No! It’s the other way around!” reaction in me. But his thesis is so powerful I can’t quite dismiss it and I’m sure in some paper or conversation of mine down the road I’ll find myself referencing or quoting it authoritatively. In essence, I loved it and anyone interested in the evolution of religion and science and their ongoing relevance to our complex world should appreciate this smart and unique perspective.