Understanding World Religions: An Interdisciplinary Approach

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Faithlife TV A Christian video library. Faithlife Proclaim Church presentation software. Chapters 3 vols. The Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible 43 vols.

Proverbs John Phillips Commentary Series 27 vols. Products Understanding World Religions: Overview Globalization and high-speed communication put 21st-century people in contact with adherents to a wide variety of world religions, but usually, valuable knowledge of these other traditions is limited at best.

Reflection on Christian approaches to other religious traditions Suggestions for further study Bibliographical references and index.

An ideal, clear, and lively introduction to world religions for North American students that also briefly deals with their modern developments, e. All university teachers grappling with these issues will find it of great use. Unlike most texts of this nature, it has an extensive section on African traditions that ought to interest scholars teaching African politics. It is a highly commendable piece of work. Hexham takes seriously the sourcebooks through which Muslims understand their faith and practice, and the perspectives of recent authors whose influence shapes modern Muslim views.

He rightly relies on some of the strongest scholarly studies of Islam for his analysis and evaluation, which sheds light on a subject that remains confusing for many Westerners. But it was striking in that I realized for the first time how multi-ethnic and cultured America has become. Now truth be told at the time I lived in the county I lived in the most diverse county Fairfax County in the country. So it makes sense there were six languages helping little boys find the appropriate bathroom. I think it does illustrate the reality nationwide, however, that we are no longer the homogenous, white, Christian nation we once were.

And not only on the ethnic front, but the religious front, too. Which is why I am thankful I was given a new book from Zondervan by Irving Hexham to review, which I think is a valuable offering to anyone in American grappling with the surrounding religious pluralism and who is interested in engaging that pluralism intelligently and knowledgeably. The book is divided into four parts: The first part is an introduction of sorts to the comparative religion enterprise, which was a very helpful introduction indeed and included an overview and examination of the major postures toward the understanding of religion.

Part two begins our foray into an understanding of world religions by beginning with Africa and African traditions. It begins with a good, healthy introduction to the African religious experience, noting that "writing about 'African religions' is like writing about 'European religions' or 'Indian religions.

This section was probably the least valuable given our American religious climate, though I understand why it was included given the scope of the project. In part three things become much more relevant to American Christians as Hexham delves into the "Yogic religions," which include Hinduism, Buddhism, Har Krishna, and other smaller religions e. This section opens with a good historical overview of Indus valley religions and their civilizations and cultures.

From this introduction, the author examines "richness of the Hindu tradition" in Ch. A fascinating chapter 10 follows these two on the life and contribution to Hinduism by Mahatma Ghandi, who was born a devout Hindu. Following these chapters on Hinduism are two chapters 11 and 12 on Buddhism, which Hexham say "is arguably the most misunderstood [of world religions] in Western society," which he says is the result of 19th century European writers co-opting Buddhism as an alternative to Christianity and using its texts to satisfy Western needs.

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He helps us along in this by tracing the history and development of the religion with a detailed re-telling of the Buddhist story and tracing it all the way from India to Europe and beyond to America, an interesting tale indeed! His chapter on practices and beliefs was particularly helpful, especially in light of the recent phenomenon within the Church of younger and even older!

Christians co-mingling Christian and Buddhist practices.

The final part, part 4, outlines the Abrahamic faith: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Ch 16 on Rabbinic and other Judaisms was particularly helpful, especially ch. One of the best chapters in this volume was ch. Hexham writes, "In seeking a Jewish religious leader as a representative figure to give Instead, "for Buber, it is a basic presupposition that if humans are to live in the world, they must love in the world with meaning After Judaism Hexham tacles the history, beliefs, and practices of Christianity, and curiously chooses Abraham Kuyper as the Christian representative in a chapter 22 on Christian politics.

Hexham rightly states "Anyone wishing to understand modern Christianity in North America needs to begin by recognizing that since the 's evangelical Christians have undergone remarkable political transformation," and he says Kuyper has influenced the political thought of both the left and right within evangelicalism. Though I understand why this chapter was included, it didn't really do anything for me, though that's probably because I wasn't interested in the book for the Christian section anyhow! I must say I was very disappointed, and even confused, why these chapters didn't spend more time on subChristian sects like Mormonism and Jehovah's Witnesses, which are both increasing in membership from Christians themselves and threats to the historic Christian faith.

Addressing them in a chapter on subChristian, deviant sects would have been a very helpful addition. Neglecting them—even failing to mention them in the history section from what I remember—is a major miss in a book on world religions—a serious, regrettable miss, actually.

This volume and part 4 conclude with a lengthy set of chapters on Islam, the biggest development religiously and even politically speaking in the West. I must say these were a nice set of "fair and balanced" chapters on a religious topic that often gets the shaft by Christians. I appreciated Hexhams work in these chapters because they were "attempts to understand Islam as it is presented by Muslim scholars who are best-selling authors in the Muslim world and whose works are popular in English-translation among Muslims living in the English-speaking world," which is why he also states that "the understanding of Islam presented here is significantly different on certain issues form that found in most other religious studies textbooks.

And this posture that listens to the voices from Islam itself takes us through Islam's history, beliefs, practices, and contemporary expressions. Two very interesting sections for me were on jihad and Muslim piety Ch Regarding jihad, Hexham explains "For many Muslims Jihad provides Muslims with a practical way of imposing God's law, the Sharia, on society to free people from their own inclinations and the evils that are encouraged by rulers who do not acknowledge the true law of God.

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Also, the section on Muslim piety was enlightening, especially regarding how Muslims view the Qur'an: Thus, for Muslims, while the Bible is an inspired book, it is not the revealed word of God. For Muslims only the Qur'an is the revealed word of God. This means that unlike the Bible, the Qur'an is not a historical book in the sense that it originated in a distinct historical setting, where it was written down by men who influenced the literary style. In the end, I thought Hexham's book was an extremely helpful, condensed examination of the major religions of the world.

Though I think neglecting Mormonism and the Jehovah's Witness as deviant, subChristian sects is a serious miss, I still think this volume is a good introduction and manual for pastors, students, and church leaders in understanding the major religions that are no longer simply "out there" in the world, but are right around the corner as neighbors, coworkers, and even fellow students of our elementary kids. If you're looking for a good overview of the history, beliefs, and practices of the Religious Other that you encounter in your community, pick up this handy manual by Hexham.

Apr 19, Raj Agrawal rated it really liked it. Western focus, but excellent depth with regard to Islam and Hinduism. Concern about the Christian publisher should be dismissed -- very difficult to discern any bias in this resource. Oct 02, Christian Hanna rated it it was amazing. As with any book, there are many strong points that Hexham makes as well as some weaknesses in his great textbook on world religions. Overall, this book was challenging, well thought-out, and it made strong, well-defended arguments. Hexham opens his book with a length section about the effect of biases—particularly those commonly held in the Western world—on religious studies textbooks.

Understanding World Religions: An Interdisciplinary Approach

If he had followed up this criticism of other scholars with hundreds of pages in which his own bias bled through, then I would brand him hypocritical and be less inclined to accept what he says. However, this is not what he does; he clearly presents each major religion with as much of an unbiased nature as one could possibly have when talking about such a topic. Though it can be discerned that Hexham comes from a Christian perspective, he does not use his worldview to tear down opposing religions.

That is not to say that his logic is flawed, but rather that the flow of his book can be a little bit disjointed. Though he discusses each religion in a basic format that goes from the history, to traditions, to a specific person within that religion, some of the later chapters muddle this flow. For example, in his section about Islam, Hexham discusses the history, then follows with the traditions and practices of Muslims.

He then follows this up with another chapter on Muslim piety. This is an example of something that he does quite often. He covers something in one chapter and then goes back to something within that chapter and expounds upon that. Though this style may work for some, I found it to be confusing at parts. Yet, in the grand scheme of things, the book itself and its material really had very few weaknesses. This book challenged me to conquer what I believe is the greatest barrier to peace—ignorance.

We stereotype other people groups and religions and make assumptions based on those stereotypes, many if not all of which stem from ignorance. This book shoved my own ignorance in my face and forced me to take it on and defeat it. I learned many things that I did not know about other religions. If this knowledge was to stop at just the acquisition stage, it would be pointless. Once I apply it to my life, though, my previously-held stereotypes crumble away and my view of the world and the people in it is changed forever.

This book helped facilitate such a change in my life and worldview. His strengths well-outweighed his weaknesses and he combined both knowledge and passion in a work of literature that offers a fresh perspective on an old subject.

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I would recommend this book to any and all, whether one knows nothing about world religions or think they know everything about world religions. Apr 23, Rita rated it liked it. If you're interested in learning about religions that aren't often discussed, primarily Eastern religions such as those practiced in Africa, then I'd suggest reading or listening as I did to this lecture.

I am curious about the differences but more-so because I want to know how to properly explain my beliefs in a way that will make sense to someone else and the only way I can do that is if I understand why they have theirs or at the very least where their religion stems from. This book helped If you're interested in learning about religions that aren't often discussed, primarily Eastern religions such as those practiced in Africa, then I'd suggest reading or listening as I did to this lecture. This book helped me understand more easily.

Kara rated it really liked it Sep 01, Morris Davis rated it it was amazing Apr 23,

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