World Religions: Western Traditions

by Amir Hussain

Book Overview

Building upon its already strong foundation, the third edition of World Religions: Western Traditions examines in detail the major Western religious traditions: Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Christianity, Islam, and religions of the ancient world. Featuring work from renowned contributors, this rich and descriptive text discusses the historical basis for the religious traditions, shows how they have developed over time, and explains how they are now situated...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0195427173
• ISBN13: 9780195427172
• Release Date: September 2010
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
• Length: 462 Pages
• Weight: 1.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 8.0" x 9.9"

Customer Reviews

The Best Textbook on World Religions

This is, quite simply, a magisterial work. Along with the companion Eastern Traditions volume, these are the finest two introductory textbooks available for world religions. Where possible, the authors of each chapter, in addition to being academic authorities, are also members of the traditions about which they write. I have used these books for several courses on world religions with great success. These are the kinds of textbooks that students keep, and make reference to them later in life.

In great condition

The product came when it was proposed to come. It was new and that is what I was requesting so there was no fishiness. I was pleased with the book.

Good Big Book

The virtue of this book is that it is large enough to carry substantial detail, more than appears in books with more pictures and less text. While it might seem a bit stodgy for someone who wants a light read, there is no escape from considering a lot of facts if one wants to achieve any understanding at all of such a complicated subject as religion. As far as fairness goes, it is only fair to consider each religion on its own terms according to its own self-description and self-interpretation. Religions change constantly, as shown by the history of Judaism in this book, and no mistake can be bigger than reducing a world religion to some single essence. When done by followers of a particular religion, such reductionism represents an exclusionary sectarianism, when directed against other religions, it simply becomes abuse. This work by Oxtoby, on the other hand, shows these religions to have many different expressions, so that I am pleased to recommend it.

Broad based and somewhat biased

There is no such thing as a completely unbiased and objective text on religious studies. As other commentators on this volume have noted, there are some definite biases in this volume, but one must also allow for biases on the part of the readers, too. This book, edited by Willard Oxtoby of the University of Toronto, is the kind of book often used for introduction to world religions courses. This is part of a two-volume set; this volume deals with the three major religions to come out of the ancient Near/Middle East, as well as a few lesser-prominent traditions, such as Zoroastrianism and the Greek/Roman/Egyptian religious varieties. In his introduction, Oxtoby addresses the issue of objectivity and the insider/outsider consideration about religious studies writing. The other authors, Alan Segal and Mahmoud Ayoub, write of Judaism and Islam respectively, and Oxtoby is a Christian. We are not given the specifics of denomination or sectarian affiliation here, but given the purpose of writing broadly-useful texts, such classifications might hinder rather than help progress. Oxtoby has the majority of the writing in this volume, taking not only the task of the Christian section, but also Zoroastrianism, the introduction, and concluding chapters with forward-looking ideas. Segal and Ayoub write on their traditions of Judaism and Islam. Each chapter incorporates history, particularly the beginnings of the religions, and the fundamental belief structures. For each major faith, a description of the current state of affairs is also included. There are photographs throughout, but not so many for a 500+ page book. There are maps, diagrams and charts relating to the subjects. Perhaps the most useful are the highlighted text boxes, which often draw into greater relief key scriptures, historical events, personalities or ideas -- the Ten Commandments is drawn out, as are pieces of Midrash and Talmud; gospel passages and liturgical prayers are highlighted in the Christian section; portions of the Koran and key terms in Islam are also developed in this manner. The concluding chapters on New Horizons and Traditions in Contact look at developments at work in the modern West today (Bahai, Native American religions, etc.) as well as key areas of inter-religious contact, conflict and dialogue. Each major section begins with a timeline of key dates in the development of that tradition. Each section concludes with lists for further reading, references, and useful study questions for those who use this as a text book or conversation partner. The book has a very good index, and is well constructed to stand up to regular student use (and abuse).

Ehhh...

Pretty decent for a Western Religion textbook, and well researched. Including judaism, christianity, and Islam... my only complaint is that its a bit too broad.