World Religions: Western Traditions

by Willard G. Oxtoby (Editor)

Now in a second edition, this highly successful text offers a comprehensive and engaging introduction to Western religious traditions. It provides in-depth coverage of Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Christianity, and Islam. It also includes a chapter on the ancient world, which covers the religions
of Greece and Rome, the ancient near East, and pre-Christian Europe. A chapter on "new horizons" examines past and current African religious traditions, Native traditions in the Americas, the Baha'i faith, and "New Age" religions. The concluding chapter on "traditions in contact" looks at such
issues as bearing witness, missionary movements, and the role of religion in a pluralistic society.
World Western Traditions, 2/e combines a historically descriptive perspective with timelines, key terms, maps, text boxes, study questions, and annotated suggestions for further reading. This new edition includes a more lucid introduction; a second color and more maps; new study
questions; and a new annotated bibliography. Ideal for undergraduate courses in Western religions, World Western Traditions, 2/e can also be used with its companion volume, World Eastern Traditions, 2/e in a general course on world religions.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction

560 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