Pluralism in the world religions : a short introduction / Harold G. Coward.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Coward, Harold G.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Religious tolerance.

Physical Description:

viii, 184 pages ; 23 cm

Edition:

New edition.

Place of Publication:

Oxford : Oneworld, 2000.

Summary:

From the challenges facing Christianity to the future of Islam in a multi-cultural world, this is a coherent introduction to the teachings and debates within the various traditions on the subject of religious pluralism.

Drawing on a combination of scripture, scholarship and the words of great thinkers past and present, Harold Coward evaluates six major world faiths and their attitudes towards pluralism and religious tolerance. Balancing the historical context of each religion with its responses to the modern pressures of globalization and multi-cultural living, he tackles complex and problematic areas in an accessible manner, to produce a succinct survey of the issues and arguments surrounding interreligious relationships.

A timely and important book, this introductory text will be appreciated by students, academics and the interested general reader alike.

Contents:

1 Religious Pluralism and Judaism 1

The biblical response to religious pluralism 2

Classical and medieval responses 4

Modern responses 7

2 Religious Pluralism and Christianity 16

The New Testament and other religions 18

Early Christianity and other religions 22

Christ, the Logos and the early church fathers 24

Christianity, Islam and the medieval period 27

The modern Christian encounter with other religions 27

Recent developments 31

Theocentric approaches 31

Christocentric approaches 43

The dialogical approach 50

3 Religious Pluralism and Islam 61

Historical meetings of Islam with other faiths 62

Unity and the 'People of the Book' 64

Islam and Western religions 67

Islam and Eastern religions 71

Militant responses in modern Islam 77

4 Religious Pluralism and the Baha'i Faith 85

The Baha'i theology of religious pluralism 89

Relativism as a basis for Baha'i theology 91

The Baha'i approach to interreligious dialogue 96

Conclusion: the Baha'i mission to India 97

5 Religious Pluralism and Hinduism 101

The classical period 102

Hinduism's encounter with Islam 108

Hinduism and the Sikhs 111

Hinduism and Christianity 112

Hinduism and secular India 121

6 Religious Pluralism and Buddhism 126

Early Buddhism and other religions 127

Mahayana Buddhism and other religions 133

7 Religious Pluralism and the Future of Religions 139

Religious pluralism: the current situation 140

The future of religions 147.

Notes:

Includes index.

ISBN:

1851682430

OCLC:

44398623