Synthesizing the thinking of the most prominent scholars, Professor Edmund Chia discusses practically everything that should be known about Christianity’s encounter with other religions in this comprehensive book. Topics include: the invention of the idea of World Religions and World Christianity the Bible and the church’s attitude toward other faiths Vatican II, Asian Christianity, and interfaith dialogue the what, why, when, and how of dialogue the global ecumenical movement theologies of religious pluralism cross-textual hermeneutics comparative theology interfaith worship religious syncretism multiple religious belonging interfaith learning in seminaries.

In this major work, two world religion and mission experts present a new relational model for Christians interacting with people of other faiths.

Pentecostalism is a movement within Christianity placing special emphasis on a believer's personal encounter with God through the Holy Spirit. It is arguably the world's fastest-growing form of religion. While exact figures are uncertain, there may now be as many as 500 million Pentecostals. Closely related to other forms of 'born-again' Christianity (Evangelical and Charismatic), Pentecostalism has been described as a religion 'made to travel'. From the outset it has been a strong missionary movement, and has been oriented towards recruitment and expansion. Research into this important form of Christianity has become more popular of late, but the movement's remarkably fast spread is still not well understood. In particular, its constant worldwide encounters with other religions and beliefs, as well as with different forms of Christianity, have seldom been explored at length.This rich and varied book remedies that neglect. Although its adherents supposedly preach a universal message, in practice Pentecostalism's global spread has resulted in increasing diversification. The volume investigates the consequences of that spread, and of the accommodations Pentecostal missionaries have to make when faced by pluralism and the challenges posed by ecumenism. Ranging across every major continent, the contributors to the volume make a significant contribution towards a fuller and more complete understanding of this remarkable world faith.Pentecostalism is topical, fast-expanding, newsworthy and exotic. This is the definitive collection by international experts on the movement. It is the first book to address Pentecostalism's fascinating relationship with other faiths and beliefs.

This beautifully designed, full-color textbook offers a comprehensive introduction to the world's religions, including history, beliefs, worship practices, and contemporary expressions. Charles Farhadian, a seasoned teacher and recognized expert on world religions, provides an empathetic account that both affirms Christian uniqueness and encourages openness to various religious traditions. His nuanced, ecumenical perspective enables readers to appreciate both Christianity and the world's religions in new ways. The book highlights similarities, dissimilarities, and challenging issues for Christians and includes significant selections from sacred texts to enhance learning. Pedagogical features include sidebars, charts, key terms, an extensive glossary, over two hundred illustrations, and about a dozen maps. This book is supplemented with helpful web materials for both students and professors through Baker Academic's Textbook eSources. Resources include self quizzes, discussion questions, additional further readings, a sample syllabus, and a test bank.

With Christianity as a counterpoint, Feldmeier explores the spirituality and theology of Christianity, mysticism, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Zen, the Chinese spirit, indigenous traditions, and the New Age movement. The text provides a model for how religious traditions are more powerfully experienced and learned in interrelationship than in isolation. In the process, Feldmeier provides opportunities and inspiration for investigating and reflecting on one's own religious beliefs.--From publisher's description.

In our pluralistic world, it's not sufficient to simply learn about other religions: we must learn from them. World Religions in Dialogue: A Comparative Theological Approach, Enhanced Edition, provides an opportunity to do just that. Exploring the five major world religions--Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism--this text offers both insider and outsider perspectives on each religious tradition, creating a dialogical approach that combines scholarship with lived experience. Equipped with glossaries, research questions, and suggestions for experiential learning, World Religions in Dialogue invites students to study world religions--and investigate their own inherited traditions--in a way that reflects our pluralistic world. Pim Valkenberg is an ordinary professor of religion and culture in the School of Theology and Religious Studies at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

With an emphaisis on communities of faith, this accessible book will introduce students to the classic texts, important events, key figures, defining rituals, essential creeds and symbols of world religions. Contents: Introduction by William Scott Green Judaism A. Judaism: Beginnings: Religion of Ancient Israel by Baruch A. Levine B. Judaism: The Formation by Jacob Neusner C. Judaism in Modern Times: Reform, Orthodox, and Conservative Judaism, Zionism by Jacob Neusner 2. Christianity A. Christianity: Beginnings by Bruce Chilton B. Christianity: Roman Catholicism by Lawrence S. Cunningham C. Orthodox Christianity by J. A. McGuckin D. Christianity: Protestantism by Martin E. Marty 3. Islam A. Islam: Beginnings by Th. Emil Homerin B. Islam: The Shiite Tradition by Liyakat Takim C. Islam: The Sunni Tradition by Th. Emil Homerin 4. Hinduism by Douglas Brooks 5. Buddhism A. Buddhism: Beginnings by Mario Poceski B. Buddhism: The Theravada Tradition by Kristen Scheible C. Buddhism: The Mahayana Tradition by Mark L. Blum 6. Daoism by Mark Meulenbled 7. Confucianism by Mark A. Csikszentmihalyi 8. Shinto by James L. Ford 9. Indigenous Religions A. Indigenous Religious Tradition by Jualynne E. Dodson and Soyna Maria Johnson B. African Indigenous Religions by Jacob Olupona 10. New 19th Century American Religions by Danny L. Jorgensen 11. New 20th Century American Religions by Dell deChant

Winfried Corduan describes both the beliefs and the real-life practices of major and minor world religions, including Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism Native American religions and Baha'i.

Tracing the rise of Christianity to its key role in Europe's maritime and colonial expansion, this text sheds light on the ways in which societies in Africa, Asia, and Latin America have been drawn into the Christian orbit.