In different ways; Judaism; Christianity; and Islam all trace their beginnings to Abraham. His wives; Hagar and Sarah; though also pivotal in the story; have received far less attention. In this book; however; noted Jewish; Christian; and Muslim scholars focus on Hagar; Sarah; and their children; from Ishmael and Isaac to their many descendents through the centuries.Moving from ancient and medieval sources to contemporary appropriations of the Sarah and Hagar story; the authors begin with an overview of the three religions--from their scriptural beginnings to their contemporary questions. They then explore how the story was developed after its canonization; in rabbinic interpretations; in the stories of Islam; and in the teachings of the early church fathers. They also present contemporary womanist and feminist perspectives. Timely; relevant; and provocative; this book provides an entree into interreligious discussion and understanding.
#1120845 in Books 2003-02-04Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 6.80 x .68 x 4.80l; .42 #File Name: 0631233547216 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Jonathan P. BinnieMcGrath is absolutely first rate/1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. good bookBy Soulja4truthgood book13 of 15 people found the following review helpful. A Brief History of HeavenBy A Life-Long LearnerAs is sometimes said; "There's more than one way to skin a cat." In a similiar vein; the topic of heaven can be broached from multiples angles. If you take nothing else from Dr. Alister McGrath's book; _A Brief History of Heaven_; you will at the very least learn that the Christian concept of heaven can be thought of in different ways._A Brief History of Heaven_ is a unique little book (184 pages) where theology meets the arts. McGrath provides a nice blend of theological reflection on heaven with a mapped development of Christian conceptions of heaven throughout the Church's history. This latter feature often takes the form of rich citations. I personally found these extra-biblical references enriching; not to mention nostalgic. After all; many of the classic works mentioned I had taken in my introductory course to English Literature in first-year university. For example; McGrath draws on authors like Dante Alighieri; John Donne; George Herbert; John Milton; John Bunyan; Matthew Arnold; and others; not to mention classic works like _Sir Gawain and the Green Knight_; _Beowulf_; _Everyman_; etc.McGrath spends the first two of six chapters discussing perhaps the two primal images of heaven in Christian thought: Heaven as a city (the City of God) and as a garden (Paradise). The reader cannot help but be gripped by the fact that; "...the Christian concept of heaven is iconic; rather than intellectual - something that makes its appeal to the imagination; rather than the intellect; which calls out to be visualized rather than merely understood." (McGrath; 2003; p. 166)In the middle chapters of _A Brief History of Heaven_; McGrath veers off the beaten path somewhat and looks at how the Christian's longing for heaven is satisifed and; perhaps more fundamentally; why such a desire arises in the first place.In chapter five; McGrath examines the notion of heaven as a place of rest and consolation for those; who have experienced grief and sorrow in this life such as at the loss of a loved one. _A Brief History of Heaven_ concludes with due attention given to the profound question of how Christians are to hold onto this longing for heaven when once they finally meet up with it.Admittedly; this book is not for everyone. If the reader is looking for a purely biblical or theological treatment of the doctrine of heaven; then (s)he is best to look elsewhere. For those who earnestly desire a work that will arouse the imagination and create a homesickness for heaven; however; McGrath may meet the doctor's orders. I think _A Brief History of Heaven_ will serve those readers best; who are looking for a work that will point them in other directions as they pursue the topic of heaven. For example; a good exercise would be to track down and read the different literary works McGrath makes reference to.Regardless of your decision on this book; it should be obvious that as Christians we need to engage our imaginations with the concept of heaven. We need to induce a homesickness for heaven. It is perhaps the irony of twenty-first century evangelicalism that great appeals can be made to non-Christians on the grounds of the hope of heaven that we have; all the while being guilty of gross negligence by giving but sparce details - if any at all - about this heaven we so hope and long for.
