The Sacred Quest
An invitation to the Study of Religion Plus MySearchLab with eText -- Access Card Package
6th Edition
Published on 2. October 2012
Book
Mixed media product
176 pages
978-0-205-86547-5 (ISBN)
Description
Examines the main ideas that characterize all religious thought and practice.
The Sacred Quest takes a thematic and comparative approach to the study of religion. It gives equal weight to theoretical issues and practices reflected in the major world religions.
The text identifies the theoretical issues surrounding the study of religion and focuses on fundamental topics such as ritual and sacred language.
Learning Goals
Upon completing this book readers will be able to:
Recognize main ideas that characterize all religious thought and practice
Identify theoretical issues surrounding the study of religion
Recognize fundamental topics of religion: ritual, sacred communication, and morality
More details
Edition
6th edition
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Pearson Education (US)
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Weight
136 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-205-86547-5 (9780205865475)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Previous edition
Lawrence S. Cunningham | John Kelsay
The Sacred Quest
Book
09/2009
5th Edition
Pearson
€34.65
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Persons
Lawrence S. Cunningham is the John A. O'Brien Professor of Theology (Emeritus) at the University of Notre Dame. He is the author or editor of over 25 books and is the Christianity editor of the forthcoming Norton Anthology of World Religions. John Kelsay is the Bristol Distinguished Professor of Religion and Ethics at the Florida State University. He also serves as Associate Dean in the College of Arts and Sciences. Professor Kelsay's research and teaching focus is on moral and political aspects of religion. He has particular interests in Christian and Muslim perspectives on war. Professor Kelsay's most recent book in this area is Arguing the Just War in Islam (Harvard, 2007).
Content
Found in this section:
1. Brief Table of Contents
2. Full Table of Contents
1. BRIEF TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
Chapter 1 Toward a Definition of Religion
Chapter 2 The Nature of the Sacred
Chapter 3 The Appearance of the Sacred
Chapter 4 The Language(s) of the Sacred
Chapter 5 Ritual
Chapter 6 Sacred Communities
Chapter 7 The Problem of Evil
Chapter 8 Religion and Morality
Chapter 9 The Quest for Salvation
Glossary
Index
2. FULL TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
The Breadth and Depth of Religious Experience
A Brief Outline of the Phenomenological Method
Attitudes and Institutions in the Study of Religion
A Final Word
Notes
Chapter 1: Toward a Definition of Religion
The Search for a Definition of Religion
Elements of Religion
Religion and Human Thought
Religion and Feeling
Religion and Action
Individual and Social Existence
Values and Religion
Substance or Function?
Toward Resolution
A Proposal
In Conclusion
Thought Experiments
Suggestions for Further Reading
Notes
Chapter 2: The Nature of the Sacred
The Complex Character of the Sacred
The Concept of Sacred Reality
Specially Distinctive
To Some Extent, Beyond the Volitional Control of Human Beings
Specially Prominent with Respect to Human Welfare
Properly Determinative of Various Aspects of Human Existence
Summary
Thought Experiments
Suggestions for Further Reading
Notes
Chapter 3: The Appearance of the Sacred
Types of Sacred Appearance
Varieties of Media
Sacred Persons
Sacred Objects
Sacred Time
Sacred Space
Sacred Appearance and the Complexity of Traditions
Thought Experiments
Suggestions for Further Reading
Notes
Chapter 4: The Language(s) of the Sacred
Myth
Stories
Story as Parable
The Preservation of Sacred Language
Oral Cultures
Scriptural Cultures
A Summary and Synthesis
The Language of Theology
The Visual Language of Religion
Language and Truth
Thought Experiments
Suggestions for Further Reading
Notes
Chapter 5: Ritual
Myth(os) and Ritual
The Passover
Holy Communion (The Eucharist)
Rites of Passage
Birth Rituals
Rituals of Initiation
Rituals of Mourning and Death
Temporal Rites and Celebrations
The Religious Meaning(s) of Ritual
Adoration
Thanksgiving
Petition
Penance/PurificationRitual as a Problem
Ritual as a System
Thought Experiments
Notes
Chapter 6: Sacred Communities
The Social Character of Religion
Religion and Social Resistance
Heresy/Schism/Division
Tradition and Innovation
The Social Aspects of Worship
A Word of Conclusion
Thought Experiments
Notes
Chapter 7: The Problem of Evil
Identifying Evil
Responses to Evil: Some Classic Patterns
Evil and Karma: The Indian Context
The Consolation of Promise
The Appeal to Sovereignty
Dualism
Are the Answers Adequate?
Is It Logical?
Is It Coherent?
Is It Psychologically Satisfying?
What Are the Moral Consequences?
Thought Experiments
Suggestions for Further Reading
Notes
Chapter 8: Religion and Morality
Defining the Issues
Religion, Morality, and Justification
Justification: General Considerations
Practical Justification: Three Cases
Hinduism: The Caste System
Islam: The Justification and Limitation of War
Christianity: Why Pray?
Religion and Morality: Patterns
Thought Experiments
Suggestions for Further Reading
Notes
Chapter 9: The Quest for Salvation
Concepts of Salvation
Individual Salvation in This World
The Search for Meaning
The Desire to Be Remembered
The Ideal of Completion
Individual Salvation in Another World
Joining the Spirit World
Cosmic Cycling or Expansion
The Idea of Judgment
Group Salvation in This World
Salvation Through the People
Salvation Through the Tradition
Salvation in the Kingdom of God in This World
Group Salvation in Another World
Now That Distinctions Have Been Made
Paths to Salvation
The Path of Knowledge
The Path of Action
The Path of Aesthetics
The Path of Submission
The Path of Grace
A Closing Reminder
Thought Experiments
Suggestions for Further Reading
Notes
Glossary
Index
1. Brief Table of Contents
2. Full Table of Contents
1. BRIEF TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
Chapter 1 Toward a Definition of Religion
Chapter 2 The Nature of the Sacred
Chapter 3 The Appearance of the Sacred
Chapter 4 The Language(s) of the Sacred
Chapter 5 Ritual
Chapter 6 Sacred Communities
Chapter 7 The Problem of Evil
Chapter 8 Religion and Morality
Chapter 9 The Quest for Salvation
Glossary
Index
2. FULL TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
The Breadth and Depth of Religious Experience
A Brief Outline of the Phenomenological Method
Attitudes and Institutions in the Study of Religion
A Final Word
Notes
Chapter 1: Toward a Definition of Religion
The Search for a Definition of Religion
Elements of Religion
Religion and Human Thought
Religion and Feeling
Religion and Action
Individual and Social Existence
Values and Religion
Substance or Function?
Toward Resolution
A Proposal
In Conclusion
Thought Experiments
Suggestions for Further Reading
Notes
Chapter 2: The Nature of the Sacred
The Complex Character of the Sacred
The Concept of Sacred Reality
Specially Distinctive
To Some Extent, Beyond the Volitional Control of Human Beings
Specially Prominent with Respect to Human Welfare
Properly Determinative of Various Aspects of Human Existence
Summary
Thought Experiments
Suggestions for Further Reading
Notes
Chapter 3: The Appearance of the Sacred
Types of Sacred Appearance
Varieties of Media
Sacred Persons
Sacred Objects
Sacred Time
Sacred Space
Sacred Appearance and the Complexity of Traditions
Thought Experiments
Suggestions for Further Reading
Notes
Chapter 4: The Language(s) of the Sacred
Myth
Stories
Story as Parable
The Preservation of Sacred Language
Oral Cultures
Scriptural Cultures
A Summary and Synthesis
The Language of Theology
The Visual Language of Religion
Language and Truth
Thought Experiments
Suggestions for Further Reading
Notes
Chapter 5: Ritual
Myth(os) and Ritual
The Passover
Holy Communion (The Eucharist)
Rites of Passage
Birth Rituals
Rituals of Initiation
Rituals of Mourning and Death
Temporal Rites and Celebrations
The Religious Meaning(s) of Ritual
Adoration
Thanksgiving
Petition
Penance/PurificationRitual as a Problem
Ritual as a System
Thought Experiments
Notes
Chapter 6: Sacred Communities
The Social Character of Religion
Religion and Social Resistance
Heresy/Schism/Division
Tradition and Innovation
The Social Aspects of Worship
A Word of Conclusion
Thought Experiments
Notes
Chapter 7: The Problem of Evil
Identifying Evil
Responses to Evil: Some Classic Patterns
Evil and Karma: The Indian Context
The Consolation of Promise
The Appeal to Sovereignty
Dualism
Are the Answers Adequate?
Is It Logical?
Is It Coherent?
Is It Psychologically Satisfying?
What Are the Moral Consequences?
Thought Experiments
Suggestions for Further Reading
Notes
Chapter 8: Religion and Morality
Defining the Issues
Religion, Morality, and Justification
Justification: General Considerations
Practical Justification: Three Cases
Hinduism: The Caste System
Islam: The Justification and Limitation of War
Christianity: Why Pray?
Religion and Morality: Patterns
Thought Experiments
Suggestions for Further Reading
Notes
Chapter 9: The Quest for Salvation
Concepts of Salvation
Individual Salvation in This World
The Search for Meaning
The Desire to Be Remembered
The Ideal of Completion
Individual Salvation in Another World
Joining the Spirit World
Cosmic Cycling or Expansion
The Idea of Judgment
Group Salvation in This World
Salvation Through the People
Salvation Through the Tradition
Salvation in the Kingdom of God in This World
Group Salvation in Another World
Now That Distinctions Have Been Made
Paths to Salvation
The Path of Knowledge
The Path of Action
The Path of Aesthetics
The Path of Submission
The Path of Grace
A Closing Reminder
Thought Experiments
Suggestions for Further Reading
Notes
Glossary
Index