The Evolution of the Idea of God: An Inquiry Into the Origins of Religions (Classic Reprint) - Hardcover

Grant Allen

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0266441904 ISBN 13: 9780266441908

Publisher: Forgotten Books, 2022

Synopsis

Explore how the idea of God came to be—from primitive beliefs to a universal, spiritual monotheism.

This thoughtful study traces the origins of religious thought, showing how ancient minds formed the concept of a higher power and how that idea evolved across cultures and ages.

This is a clear, synthesis‑driven look at the origins of polytheism, the rise of monotheism, and the later development of Christian concepts. It blends anthropological insight with historical analysis to explain why belief in a supreme deity became so influential and widely shared.

• How early societies shaped the idea of multiple gods and the move toward one supreme God
• How exile, prophecy, and reform influenced religious thinking and worship
• How the shift to abstract, unseen divinity changed how people relate to the divine
• How these ideas laid the groundwork for later religious traditions, including Christianity

Ideal for readers of religious history, philosophy, and anthropology who seek a rigorous account of how our most fundamental beliefs began and transformed over time.

Edition details

• Publisher: Forgotten Books
• Publication date: 2022
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0266441904
• ISBN 13: 9780266441908
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 168