The many faces of faith : a guide to world religions and Christian traditions / Richard R. Losch.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Losch, Richard R.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Religions.

Christian sects.

Christianity and other religions.

Physical Description:

viii, 192 pages ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Grand Rapids, Mich. : William B. Eerdmans, [2001]

Summary:

Religious Faith Takes Many Forms. Throughout the centuries and around the globe, human responses to the divine have given rise to a large number of important religions. The Many Faces of Faith introduces general readers to the diversity of religion that exists today.

In this fascinating and very useful book, Richard R. Losch provides short descriptions of the main beliefs and practices of the world's most influential religious traditions, including the denominational branches of Christianity. The volume is not intended to be an in-depth study; rather, it focuses on what is essential for understanding each faith covered, and it dispels many of the myths and misconceptions concerning them.

The first part of the book is devoted to major world religions and several newer faiths. Chapters cover Hinduism, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Taoism and Confucianism, Buddhism, Islam, Mormonism, Baha'i, Jehovah's Witnesses, Neopaganism, Unitarian-Universalism, and major benign cults. The second part of the book describes the many faces of Christianity: the Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholics, Lutherans, Anglicans, Reformed churches, Mennonites, Presbyterians, Baptists, Quakers, Methodists, the United Church of Christ, the Holiness and Pentecostal movements, Adventists, the "Christians," and Christian Scientists. The traditions covered in each section are arranged chronologically, according to the time they were founded or developed into their current form.

Assuming little prior knowledge of the faiths he discusses, Losch does an excellent job of condensing and clearly presenting each religion. He explains many theological terms that might be unfamiliar to readers, and he provides pronunciation guides for foreign words and names. The book can be read straight through or used as a reference tool for looking up particular faiths.

Readable and informative, The Many Faces of Faith provides an ideal starting point for objective inquiry into the richness of human spirituality worldwide.

Contents:

I. The Many Faces of Belief

Hinduism 3

Judaism 7

Zoroastrianism 13

Taoism and Confucianism 18

Buddhism 22

Islam 27

Mormonism 33

Baha'i 40

Jehovah's Witnesses 44

Neopaganism 50

Unitarian-Universalism 57

The Major Benign Cults 61

II. The Many Faces of Christianity

A Brief History of the Christian Church 69

The Eastern Orthodox 76

The Roman Catholics 83

The Lutherans 93

The Anglicans 102

The Reformed Churches 118

The Mennonites 124

The Presbyterians 132

The Baptists 140

The Quakers 148

The Methodists 156

The "Christians" 164

The United Church of Christ 170

The Holiness and Pentecostal Movements 176

The Adventists 182

The Christian Scientists 187.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN:

080283910X

OCLC:

47140894