World Religions: Western Traditions

by Willard G. Oxtoby, Amir Hussain, Roy C. Amore

Featuring work from expert contributors, World Religions: Western Traditions, Fourth Edition, provides students with an authoritative examination of Jewish, Christian, Muslim, ancient, indigenous, and new traditions. Accessible and engaging, this acclaimed text explores the origins, central teachings, divisions and branches, rituals and practices, influences on culture, and responses to modern challenges for each tradition.
FEATURES
* New chapter structures better reflect the uniqueness of each tradition
* Newly written chapters on Jewish and Christian traditions bring fresh perspectives to the volume
* A new "Recent Developments" section for every tradition provides more focus on contemporary issues
* A revised and updated "Current Issues" chapter better tackles key challenges facing Eastern traditions today
* Additional coverage of the role of women offers students a more inclusive overview of each tradition
* Dynamic pedagogical features including "Traditions at a Glance," "Document," "Focus," and "Sites" boxes, bolded key terms, maps, photographs, timelines, sites, text extracts, and further reading lists help bring each tradition to life for students
* New learning tools including chapter outlines, chapter summaries, discussion questions, and "Sacred Text" tables make difficult topics easier for students to understand
* An exceptional support package includes a Companion Website at www.oupcanada.com/Oxtoby, an Instructor's Manual, a Test Generator, PowerPoint-based slides, a Student Study Guide, and more
Ideal for courses in Western religions and comparative religions, World Religions: Western Traditions, Fourth Edition, combines a historically descriptive perspective with a spirit of sympathetic fascination.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction

436 pages, Paperback

First published April 18, 1996

Reviews

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for a class I took over the summer at Pitt. We mainly read the chapters that dealt with the religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, but even then it was a lot of material to take in during a small period of time. I spent one afternoon looking over the chapter on New Religions (Scientology is as crazy as I thought it was) and was not disappointed. I only skimmed through the chapters on Native American religions and European paganism, but it was enough to get a general knowledge; it also did not contain much new material. The textbook is actually a great read and while it can be boring like most textbooks are, the historical material can be really fascinating. I highly recommend it either as something to peruse through or to seriously consider reading.

The material on Islam is superb. The reason I chose to put this on my "Read" list is because the chapter on Islam alone gives a more vivid picture of the religion than some books that are entirely devoted to the subject.

[Karin · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars is more accurate. The final couple of chapters were not nearly as well constructed as the early ones. I learned a lot, probably should have read this when I was in the class instead of years later. Very interesting though. I appreciated learning the background and in depth definitions of terms commonly heard in the media and elsewhere.

[Belle Meade School]

291

[Stephen Bedard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The focus is on Judaism, Christianity and Islam. There is a companion volume on Eastern Traditions. The focus gives more space than most books on world religions.

[Czarny Pies · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a text book for a comparative religions undergraduate course. Unless you are headed for graduate school, this book might tell you all you ever need to know about the similarities and differences between the three great religions which were founded int he middle east and have the same god: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Zoroastrianism which is also from the same region and which Islam deems to worhship the same God is covered as well.

This book is excellent. It outlines the basic theologies of the four religions in a very clear fashion. Best of all, it avoids comment on all current controversies and maintains a strict focus on the religions in the own right.

This is a very readable textbook that outside of the classroom that is as helpful to casual readers as it is to the college undergraduate.

[Robert Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the best single volume introduction to Western religious traditions. Provides students with the historical, conceptual and technical grounding necessary for further study. I assigned this text to my classes when I was teaching Western religions.

[Chris Gager · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another selection based on a course I took at Metro State in 71-72. I have no idea what exact textbook(s) we used. Date is approximate.

[Ryan Daley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting text book with basic overview... Not worth reading unless you really needed to for school.

[Belle Meade School]

291