Product Description

The world hasn't really shrunk--it just feels that way.Not all people of different cultural traditions and religious beliefs live halfway around the globe. Some of them live just down the block. Some of them work in the cubicle across the hall. Some of them sit next to us at PTA meetings. Encounters with these neighboring faiths often challenge our own comfortable beliefs and traditions. They make us think more deeply about our own faith commitments.For all who want to understand the religious faiths of their neighbors and coworkers, Winfried Corduan offers this helpful introduction to the religions of the world. His survey covers major and minor religions including Judaism, Islam, Zoroastrianism, African and Native American traditional religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Baha'i, Chinese popular religion, Shinto and the Japanese synthesis.Unlike many similar books, Neighboring Faiths emphasizes not just formal religious teachings but also how each religion is practiced in daily life. Corduan has presnts more than 80 photographs, charts and maps. And moving beyond mere description, he offers specific suggestions for how Christians can avoid giving unnecessary offense to followers of these faiths while engaging them in constructive dialogue.For readers who want to understand what other religions believe and practice, and for small groups and churches who want to become more effective in reaching those from other cultures and religions, Neighboring Faiths is an indispensable guide.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #378028 in Books
• Published on: 1998-03
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 363 pages

Customer Reviews

Informative, Helpful, and Insightful
This is a text book that examines World Religions in light of Christianity. Corduan is detailed in giving the historical setting, background, and current trends of the major world religions. He also describes how Christians can evangelize the various adherents in each of the world religions, what to avoid which might offend, etc. One of the better characteristics of this particular text is the fact that Corduan covers the native American religions as well as the Traditional religions (African). Something most texts do not cover. The other religions covered in the text are Islam, Hinduism, Chinese Popular Religions, Buddhism, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Shinto (Japanese religion), Jainism, Sikhism and Baha'i. Moreover, Corduan has a wonderful chapter that deals with the historical development of religion (it's origin), the meaning of religion, and a refutation of the evolutionary approach to religion. Corduan describes the concept of original monotheism and details how this is in direct contradiction to the weak but widely accepted evolutionary approach. Therefore, the book is written from an apologetic perspective but is quite detailed and thorough when dealing with the actual religions. Moreover, Corduan spends time in each chapter with each religion describing how the origins of the religion began with a single "high god." Therefore, eliminating the possibility of an evolutionary view of religion. It is quite interesting how the history of religion exhibits the concept of original monotheism ("the idea that all religions began with God - the Creator and Revealer." p.16) This is a wonderful text for Christians to own if for no other reason than the fact that we live in such a pluralistic world and Christian need to be equipped.

A great first step into world religions
Having Dr. Corduan for class, I had to buy his book, yet that didn't keep me from reading ahead and into sections that we didn't even cover. A great book that covers all the major world religions (minus Christianity) and gives Christians an excellent chance to truly be able to relate to others in our cities, states, and country who have differing views from ours.

very good
This book is very indepth and detailed as well as informed about the religions it talks about. It is a very good source for learning about rituals, traditions, and cultures that surround and encompass world religions.