An engaging and accessible introduction to Christianity’srelationship with other world religions, addressing the questionsof why the reality, and vitality, of other religions has become achallenge, and showing how Christianity is equipped to deal withreligious plurality at both the doctrinal and social level. Timely and accessible, this book tackles the question of whythe reality, and vitality, of other religions has become achallenge for Christianity Makes a decisive contribution to debates about the clashbetween Islam and the West, arguing that the major threat toreligious freedoms come from secularism, and that Islam andChristianity both have the resources to develop a vibrant andpluralist public square; one informed by intellectual rigor anddebate Considers the wider issue of how modernity has defined‘religion’, and provides a substantial critique ofsecular ways of controlling religions Shows how Christianity is very well suited to deal withreligious plurality at the doctrinal and social level Addresses the core issues and describes the various answersthat have been proposed in recent years – making it an idealintroduction to the field, and one which will stimulate ideas anddiscussions

Adam Hamilton, named by PBS’s Religion and Ethics Newsweekly as one of the top “Ten People to Watch,” has created an inviting new series of video-and-book studies on love and marriage, life issues, world religions, and Christian denominations. Hamilton calls these small-group studies “fishing expeditions,” because they include tools for congregation wide and communitywide programs to draw in new members. Components include DVD, participant’s book, leader’s guide, and pastor’s guide with CD-ROM. 6-8 sessions / 60-90 minutes Christianity and World Religions: Wrestling With Questions People Ask is a video-based small-group study and outreach program that explores four major world religions- Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and Judaism – and compares the beliefs of each with those of Christianity. This six-week study deals openly and honestly with questions people ask about other religions, including why we should believe the claims of Christianity over those of other faiths. As part of the study, author and presenter Adam Hamilton interviews a religious leader from each tradition. He treats the world religions with great respect, recognizing the unique contributions of each. In examining these major world religions and the beliefs of their followers, the Reverend Hamilton urges us as Christians to build bridges with others so that we might grow in our faith, seek peace in our world, love our neighbor, and find positive ways to share the gospel. For group or individual study, the book can be used by class participants during the study group meeting or at home for additional reflection. Includes detailed content for the six sessions. For more information about Adam Hamilton's studies, go to www.adamhamilton.cokesbury.com.

Synthesizing the thinking of the most prominent scholars, Professor Edmund Chia discusses practically everything that should be known about Christianity’s encounter with other religions in this comprehensive book. Topics include: the invention of the idea of World Religions and World Christianity the Bible and the church’s attitude toward other faiths Vatican II, Asian Christianity, and interfaith dialogue the what, why, when, and how of dialogue the global ecumenical movement theologies of religious pluralism cross-textual hermeneutics comparative theology interfaith worship religious syncretism multiple religious belonging interfaith learning in seminaries.

This book is a brief guide to understanding World Religions. It examines the many types of religions and how they compare to Christianity.

The current religious climate poses unique challenges to those engaged in mission. Thus the authors of this book propose a new, yet very biblical, model for interacting with people of other faiths. They term this model giftive mission, as it is based on the metaphor of free gift. We bear the greatest gift possible--the gospel message. Adopting this perspective not only has the potential for greater missionary success but also enables us to more closely imitate God's gracious activity in the world. The core of the book explores eleven practices that characterize giftive mission. Each practice is illustrated through the story of a figure from mission history who embodied that practice. Further discussion shows how to incorporate these practices in specific mission settings.

Theology of religions has defaulted in the last two decades to an epicyclic inclusivism which seeks to undermine pluralism with claims that it is covertly triumphalistic and that it mirrors the logic of exclusivism. With the exception of pioneers in the field such as John Hick and Paul Knitter, most major figures in this theological field have retreated from pluralism and promote versions of particularism and inclusivism. Pluralism: The Future of Religion argues for an apophatic pluralism that is motivated by the insight that it is impossible to secure universal assent for changeable bodies of religious teachings. This insight implies the non-finality and consequent 'departicularization' of all religious teachings and their inclusivistic defenses. These conclusions point us inevitably toward pluralism and lead us out of the inclusivistic impasse of contemporary theology in religions.

This original and ambitious book considers the terms of engagement between Christian theology and other religious traditions, beginning with criticism of Christian theology of religions as entangled with European colonial modernity. Jenny Daggers covers recent efforts to disentangle Eurocentrism from the meeting of the religions, and investigates new constructive possibilities arising in the postcolonial context. In dialogue with Asian and feminist theologies, she reflects on ways forward for relations between the religions and offers a particularist model for theology of religions, standing within a classical Trinitarian framework.

Drawing together international and Indian sources, and new research on the ground in South India, this book presents a unique examination of the inculturation of Christian Worship in India. Paul M. Collins examines the imperatives underlying the processes of inculturation - the dynamic relationship between the Christian message and cultures - and then explores the outcomes of those processes in terms of architecture, liturgy and ritual, and the critique offered of these outcomes, especially by Dalit theologians. This book highlights how the Indian context has informed global discussions, and how the decisions of the World Council of Churches, Vatican II and Lambeth Conferences have impacted upon the Indian context.