THE WOMAN WHO NAMED GOD by Charlotte Gordon

Reviewed for "Hachette Book Group"

Little, Brown and Company

Hardcover: 400 pages

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company (July 28, 2009)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 031611474X

Charlotte Gordon offers a unique look at the Old Testament relationships between and among Abraham; his wife, Sarah; and his mistress, Hagar. Gordon approaches the biblical text as a literary study as opposed to a literal divine revelation. With no theological ax to grind, she draws upon the work of theologians, scholars, archaeologists, and historians to unpack a widely misunderstood and misinterpreted saga. Most interesting is her focus on the exiled, shamed, and shadowed Hagar, whom Gordon elevates to a mystic and prophet. Gordon ultimately shows that these biblical characters are complex and multilayered; they behave, in short, like human beings who wrestle with foibles, passions, and jealousies. Most important, the story speaks to the 21st century and its marital ambivalence, dysfunctional family systems, pervasive divorce, as well as to 9/11, the so-called "Axis of Evil," and West Bank unrest. The author's vision is that the retelling of this ancient tale might awaken the world to redemption. The sons of Hagar and Sarah, after all, came together in peace at their father Abraham's funeral. General readers with even a casual interest in religion and its impact on history, as well as on current events, will appreciate the lens through which the author peers.

I grew up in a strict Catholic family and was schooled by Dominicant nuns, so The New Testament was the Book I was raised on. Over the years I did learn more about the Bible.

In the Catholic Faith "The Crusades" is one of the first lessons we learn, in my case anyhow. I had a real problem with the nuns who held this war as a holy war with saints etc...the West went of to the Near East to kill nonbelievers, so they decided...

By reading Charlotte Gorden's dissertation about the birth of three nations I learned facts I did not know in such debth, which brings me to Abraham and his relationship with God. We are all Gods Children, fathered through Abraham and his wife Sarah and Hagar. The Bible is clear about this but the interpretation isn't always. Over the years be it Jews, Christians or Muslims, each added their interpretation of the original text, and have disagreed ever since...

"THE WOMAN WHO NAMED GOD" tries to make us understand whatever religion we happen to be born in we are through God and Abraham, Sarah and Hagar, Isaac and Ishmael all Gods children Muslims, Jews or Christians.

This is a well researched book, it is more a dissertation or thesis. You will find a bibliography and excellent research notes. It is not meant to be a Chrstian book as some reviewers thought and seemed insulted. The author makes this clear, she is adressing the world 4000 years ago and today. I think everyone who reads this book will retain something , which is good.