Monday, December 3, 2012

Where God Was Born


Book Review.

Feiler, Bruce.  Where God Was Born.  A Journey by Land to the Roots of Religion.  Harper-Collins Publishers.  2005

B.F.-a New York journalist.  The writer/presenter of the television miniseries Walking the Bible. 

Comment.  Henry.

The reading of this book has given me a better understanding/appreciation of Judaism.  There is much historical information about Christianity and the other two faiths that claim Abraham as the progenitor.  The circumstances during which the “research” was done provide the excitement that is usually found in novels.  My impression of Bruce was that he came across as a devout Jew with a strong support for the Bible, especially the Torah.  A college of his referred to him as a Reform Jew and exhorted him to become an Orthodox Jew.  The book “combines the adventure of a wartime chronicle, the excitement of an archaeological detective story, and the insight of personal spiritual exploration.” (from fly-leaf).

Bruce visits Israel, Iraq, and Iran to explore the sites “Where God Was Born.”  His findings in most cases come as a result of local authorities; rabbis, museum curators, military and political authorities, etc.  The spiritual impact that his research has on him gives validity to the conclusions he arrives at.  He is a changed man because of his journeys. 

In his travels Bruce examines the question: Is religion tearing us apart… or can it bring us together? 

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