What do you think?
God and Mankind: Comparative Religions
How do the major religions answer unanswerable questions? What can we gain from their answers? Why are we here? What is my purpose? Where do we go when we die? Will I be forgiven? Will we ever discover the source of the mystery? Each of these questions raises countless more.
God and Mankind: Comparative Religions by Professor Robert Oden is an ideal starting point for gaining some progress in considering these questions. And if you've been thinking about them for a while, as so many do, you will likely discover he has many fresh insights to offer you.
Professor Oden, who holds degrees in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, and Theology, has taught at Harvard University and Dartmouth College over a long and exceptionally distinguished career as both teacher and college president.
His lectures approach religious belief and ritual as possible answers to these most difficult and enduring questions, which have occupied humanity from the beginning.
An Ideal Starting Point for Inquiry
The lectures underscore both the unity and the diversity of religious approaches to life in a sweeping conceptual grasp.
Professor Oden begins with a discussion of the nature and study of religion, distinguishing between religion as both a matter of faith and as an appropriate subject of intellectual and academic pursuit.
In addition to discussing the four traditional views of religion, Professor Oden proposes another: a system of communication.
This serves as a crucial conceptual framework for exploring the thoughts of Mircea Eliade, a historian of religion, philosopher, and professor at the University of Chicago, who proposed that the best way to understand religions is to examine their views of how the world came into being and how it operates on a daily basis.
How Do We Reconcile Suffering and a Benevolent Deity?
Professor Oden continues with an investigation of the problem of reconciling an all-powerful and benevolent deity with the suffering and evil that are part of human existence.
You will also look at the dynamics of religious communities in general and the impact of the Puritan religious tradition on America.
The introductory lecture lays out a framework for the study of religion, beginning with the "what" and "why" of the matter, and moving to how religions have been compared with history, science, psychology, and society.
You learn that for religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism that see the world as old, salvation comes by escaping from the endless cycle of birth and rebirth. But Judaism and Christianity, however, see the world as relatively new, and the goal is to gain more chances at life, either collectively or individually.
Professor Oden addresses the centrality of myth in making sense of religious cosmologies, and he places special emphasis on the birth narratives of religious heroes, particularly the unusual circumstances surrounding their conception and birth.
Religious Heroes and Teachers
in developing a framework for an extensive discussion of the ancient Sumerian myth, the Epic of Gilgamesh and its cosmological implications.
You explore the notion of the anthropologist Arnold van Gennep, later expanded by the American anthropologist Victor Turner, that the rite of passage theme must be understood as central for religious cosmologies in general.
As with Gilgamesh, this lecture looks at the stories of Moses, Jesus, Krishna, and Gautama the Buddha, unearthing in each a key point that aptly reflects the cosmology of the religion in question.
Professor Oden goes into a systematic analysis of the "theodicy" problem, which is: How can an all-powerful and benevolent deity allow innocent people to suffer while often success and happiness seem to come to those who are evil? All world religions have attempted to deal with this dilemma—and five answers have been produced.
The discussion of theodicy continues by examining the most famous example in the Western religious tradition—the book of Job—and two of the main sources of Christian thinking on the topic, the Apostle Paul and the 16th-century Swiss theologian, John Calvin.
By way of comparison, Professor Oden also discusses the Hindu and Buddhist responses to the theodicy question, including the Hindu doctrines of karmic law and transmigration of souls, and the Buddhist teaching that life is suffering, with the only release an acceptance of the impermanence of the universe and everything in it.
Ritual, Sect, and Church
In examining ritual, Professor Oden places special emphasis on its nature, importance, and ramifications for the religious community, and then describes the dynamics of the development of two types of religious communities: sect and church.
Professor Oden moves from the comparative sociology of religion to what might be termed the religious nature of a particular society: the United States. Drawing on the work of the Harvard scholar Sacvan Bercovitch, the lecture addresses the Ame...
God and Mankind: Comparative Religions by Professor Robert Oden is an ideal starting point for gaining some progress in considering these questions. And if you've been thinking about them for a while, as so many do, you will likely discover he has many fresh insights to offer you.
Professor Oden, who holds degrees in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, and Theology, has taught at Harvard University and Dartmouth College over a long and exceptionally distinguished career as both teacher and college president.
His lectures approach religious belief and ritual as possible answers to these most difficult and enduring questions, which have occupied humanity from the beginning.
An Ideal Starting Point for Inquiry
The lectures underscore both the unity and the diversity of religious approaches to life in a sweeping conceptual grasp.
Professor Oden begins with a discussion of the nature and study of religion, distinguishing between religion as both a matter of faith and as an appropriate subject of intellectual and academic pursuit.
In addition to discussing the four traditional views of religion, Professor Oden proposes another: a system of communication.
This serves as a crucial conceptual framework for exploring the thoughts of Mircea Eliade, a historian of religion, philosopher, and professor at the University of Chicago, who proposed that the best way to understand religions is to examine their views of how the world came into being and how it operates on a daily basis.
How Do We Reconcile Suffering and a Benevolent Deity?
Professor Oden continues with an investigation of the problem of reconciling an all-powerful and benevolent deity with the suffering and evil that are part of human existence.
You will also look at the dynamics of religious communities in general and the impact of the Puritan religious tradition on America.
The introductory lecture lays out a framework for the study of religion, beginning with the "what" and "why" of the matter, and moving to how religions have been compared with history, science, psychology, and society.
You learn that for religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism that see the world as old, salvation comes by escaping from the endless cycle of birth and rebirth. But Judaism and Christianity, however, see the world as relatively new, and the goal is to gain more chances at life, either collectively or individually.
Professor Oden addresses the centrality of myth in making sense of religious cosmologies, and he places special emphasis on the birth narratives of religious heroes, particularly the unusual circumstances surrounding their conception and birth.
Religious Heroes and Teachers
in developing a framework for an extensive discussion of the ancient Sumerian myth, the Epic of Gilgamesh and its cosmological implications.
You explore the notion of the anthropologist Arnold van Gennep, later expanded by the American anthropologist Victor Turner, that the rite of passage theme must be understood as central for religious cosmologies in general.
As with Gilgamesh, this lecture looks at the stories of Moses, Jesus, Krishna, and Gautama the Buddha, unearthing in each a key point that aptly reflects the cosmology of the religion in question.
Professor Oden goes into a systematic analysis of the "theodicy" problem, which is: How can an all-powerful and benevolent deity allow innocent people to suffer while often success and happiness seem to come to those who are evil? All world religions have attempted to deal with this dilemma—and five answers have been produced.
The discussion of theodicy continues by examining the most famous example in the Western religious tradition—the book of Job—and two of the main sources of Christian thinking on the topic, the Apostle Paul and the 16th-century Swiss theologian, John Calvin.
By way of comparison, Professor Oden also discusses the Hindu and Buddhist responses to the theodicy question, including the Hindu doctrines of karmic law and transmigration of souls, and the Buddhist teaching that life is suffering, with the only release an acceptance of the impermanence of the universe and everything in it.
Ritual, Sect, and Church
In examining ritual, Professor Oden places special emphasis on its nature, importance, and ramifications for the religious community, and then describes the dynamics of the development of two types of religious communities: sect and church.
Professor Oden moves from the comparative sociology of religion to what might be termed the religious nature of a particular society: the United States. Drawing on the work of the Harvard scholar Sacvan Bercovitch, the lecture addresses the Ame...
6 pages, Audible Audio
First published January 1, 1991
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
July 8, 2008
I've recently started taking lectures on tape out of the library so I can listen to them while I drive. This increases the number of books I can "read."
Oden's series was a lot of fun. It introduced me to the epic of Gilgamesh for the first time, and made me see various religions in a variety of ways I had not thought of before. For example he compared the rites-of-passage from the stories of Jesus and Moses, and he discussed various theories of religion (as proto-science, psychoanalysis, history, cultural norms, etc.). His treatment was always sympathetic and respectful to the religion being discussed and gave one a feeling of kinship with the various world religions.
Oden's series was a lot of fun. It introduced me to the epic of Gilgamesh for the first time, and made me see various religions in a variety of ways I had not thought of before. For example he compared the rites-of-passage from the stories of Jesus and Moses, and he discussed various theories of religion (as proto-science, psychoanalysis, history, cultural norms, etc.). His treatment was always sympathetic and respectful to the religion being discussed and gave one a feeling of kinship with the various world religions.
January 20, 2015
If I had more contextual knowledge about each of the major religions he discussed, I would have gotten more out of it. Despite concentrating mostly on Christianity, it was a great introductory course to religious studies. It has motivated me to learn more about religion.
April 5, 2011
Christian and Jewish topics take up most of this discussion. More time could have been spent on other beliefs. That said, it was still well worth the time.
September 21, 2011
He mostly lectures on Christianity and then compares it to Hinduism and Buddhism. The whole of the last lecture is on religion in the U. S.
October 23, 2011
2.5 / 5
The lectures were good but a bit disappointing as most of the lectures was spent on general study of religious believe and not on the comparative study of religion
July 3, 2016
Especially clear and unambiguous lectures. Given by a talented speaker and a clear enthusiast in religions who had a deep knowledge of what he was talking about.
September 26, 2026
Excellent, short survey. Last lecturer paused after almost every sentence (still a great series, though) … in this one, Professor Oden could have used some of those! Fast talking, particularly on his specific expertise. The comparative approach focused primarily on Judeo-Christian themes and stories, with Hinduism and Buddhism as the main contrasts. Plus earlier myths. I especially liked his analysis of the Book of Job. The copy on my phone makes the same mistranslation error as he highlighted as wrong: one mention of “the adversary”, and the rest “Satan”. It’s no wonder so many people go off on their own evangelisms when they work from flawed sources.
June 17, 2018
If you would expect the systematic approach and comparision of major religions you would be dissapointed. This is not the book.
April 14, 2015
I got this hoping that it would help me understand Jehovah's Witnesses. It wasn't what I was after, but I did learn from it and am not sorry I listen to it.
July 30, 2018
This is pretty Christian-centric and American-centric. I learned some things and overall enjoyed it.
November 18, 2024
"God and Mankind" is part of the Great Courses Series, featuring eight lectures that explore four central questions often addressed in religious teachings: humanity's relationship with God, the evolution of great mythical figures, reconciling the idea of a just God with human suffering, and the societal role of religious institutions. A detailed outline is available here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3....
The course is presented through a personal lens. Professor Oden selects topics and perspectives based on his own research and experiences, making the lectures a reflection of an expert's viewpoint rather than definitive conclusions or a scholarly consensus.
Notably, the book omits several significant topics in religious studies, such as the afterlife and how deities communicate with humans, even though the author identifies "communication" as one of religion's three key components.
While the course is labeled as "comparative religion," its content is heavily centered on Christianity, with brief references to Buddhism and Hinduism. It does not compare Christianity with Judaism or Islam and excludes other historical or global religious traditions. As a result, its scope is too narrow to fulfill the promise of a comparative religion course.
In summary, the course is enjoyable, lightweight, and limited in scope. It is suitable for casual readers but does not serve as a comprehensive introduction to religious studies or comparative religion.
The course is presented through a personal lens. Professor Oden selects topics and perspectives based on his own research and experiences, making the lectures a reflection of an expert's viewpoint rather than definitive conclusions or a scholarly consensus.
Notably, the book omits several significant topics in religious studies, such as the afterlife and how deities communicate with humans, even though the author identifies "communication" as one of religion's three key components.
While the course is labeled as "comparative religion," its content is heavily centered on Christianity, with brief references to Buddhism and Hinduism. It does not compare Christianity with Judaism or Islam and excludes other historical or global religious traditions. As a result, its scope is too narrow to fulfill the promise of a comparative religion course.
In summary, the course is enjoyable, lightweight, and limited in scope. It is suitable for casual readers but does not serve as a comprehensive introduction to religious studies or comparative religion.
October 16, 2022
Witty and entertaining, but somewhat poorly organized, this one of The Great Courses is short one of the most engaging one I have listened to so far, making it if not one of the best, but one of the most memorable. It is a shame, that professor Oden didn't get a 24 (+) lectures length to expose his deep knowledge of the world's religions more.
December 28, 2024
Tikrai įspūdingas skaitymas labai įdomia tema. Rimtas žmogus pasakoja apie Dievo ir Žmogaus santykį skirtingose religijose. Ieškoma atsakumo, kam reikalinga religija, jos praktikos, jos ceremonijos ir ritualai. Apkalbama tiek krikščionybė su nemaža atšakų, tiek ir kito sreligijos: islamas, judaizmas, budizmas.
Read
August 17, 2023Religions begin as sects, as they grow they become "churches" or institutions as they seek stability. But as they gain stability, they lose their spontaneity or the freshness of their appeal so a new sect breaks away from the institution.
March 11, 2025
These are very good lectures and I agree with his premise that the Puritan origins of the United States still affect us in so many ways that we are not aware. He has a good summary of the ways to deal with theodicy as well.
February 6, 2018
Excellent overview of comparative religions. More of the really ancient as compared to Christianity.
October 26, 2024
Although old hat for some, it was eye opening for me. Enlightening.
November 15, 2022
Some really interesting points, but a little uneven.
Some favorite moments:
Rights of passage scheme
Job and experiential knowledge
Common themes throughout religion
Some favorite moments:
Rights of passage scheme
Job and experiential knowledge
Common themes throughout religion
March 5, 2017
It doesn’t do that much actual comparing, but this is still a very interesting course. You don’t have to be religious to listen to it (I’m not), but if you’re interested in some common motifs and interesting tidbits on religion, God and Mankind is a good place to start.
July 12, 2012
Unfortunately, I waited a bit too long to review this audio book, but I do highly recommend it for people who are remotely interested. The author/narrator is enthusiastic and humorous at times, and I think that adds so much to this series. He also talks a bit fast. The first couple lectures are particularly interesting, in that he addresses the importance and necessity of the study of religion as well as the connection between spirituality and humanity.
He focuses quite heavily on Christianity, unsurprisingly, and I was hoping to hear a little more about Judaism. Overall, I learned quite a bit, especially in terms of very specific and minute details, such as the term "faith" as being a concept brought about in Western religions. Some aspects were not as interesting to me, but overall a great read/listening.
He focuses quite heavily on Christianity, unsurprisingly, and I was hoping to hear a little more about Judaism. Overall, I learned quite a bit, especially in terms of very specific and minute details, such as the term "faith" as being a concept brought about in Western religions. Some aspects were not as interesting to me, but overall a great read/listening.
Want to Read
August 6, 2012Lots of great material in this series of lectures, although most is about the study of religion in general and less about the specific discipline of comparative religion.
November 25, 2019
Comparative religions is a topic I can't ever get enough of.
Read
January 25, 2013Good course and great lecturer! Worht it.
August 15, 2017
Interesting and informative but would have been improved by more detail.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews