A comparative introduction to significant readings found in Judaism; Christianity; and Islam. The book covers a wide range of historical periods up to the present day. The readings explore six major themes from the perspective of each tradition. The six major themes includes coverage of: Scripture and Tradition; Monotheism; Authority and Community; Worship and Ritual; Ethics; and Religion and the Political Order. For anyone interested in Western Religious Traditions in Religion or HIstory Departments.
#1859507 in Books 2005-10-26Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.24 x .69 x 6.32l; .90 #File Name: 023113634X192 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Four StarsBy Leroy E. WhiteheadA very good; objective book by a non-Mormon scholar0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Stark on MormonismBy William H. Scarle Jr.Stark is at his best in giving an accurate picture of the rise of the Mormon religion. He does not tell us much about the teachings of this new belief system. What he does is explain its phenominal growth; and he does this well.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Interesting theory and introductionBy Will JeromThis is a good book; though the title may be slightly misleading as it uses Mormonism as an example to demonstrate (very interesting) theories about religion; and religious conversion. Refreshingly; the author does not assert that religious founders had to be crazy; but could be rational actors. He also believes modernization does not necessarily mean secularization or the demise of religion. About 70-80% of the book deals with an analysis of Mormonism and its rapid growth in recent decades. The book is a collection of essays on the theme of Mormonism's rapid growth; with the theoretical expectation that Mormonism will be a major world religion someday soon. While not exactly an introduction to Mormonism; it will discuss some of the basics (e.g. Joseph Smith; Book of Mormon) of the religion. Those looking for a more straightforward introduction to Mormonism might be advised to look elsewhere (Richard Bushman; A Very Short Introduction to Mormonism). Those already familiar with the religion and looking for angle of theoretical study will profit most here.
