Why Study Religion? Understanding Humanity's Pursu it of the Divine
Published on 21. June 2016
Book
Paperback/Softback
224 pages
978-0-8010-4995-8 (ISBN)
Description
Why Studying Religion Matters in a Pluralistic Context
This brief primer explains why Christian students should study religion, how they should go about it, and why it is important in our contemporary, pluralistic context. Senior religion scholar Terry Muck introduces the discipline and explains how it can be approached by Christian students. He explores the contemporary significance of studying religion in a complex, multicultural world and concludes by addressing the skills students must bring to the study of religion in the twenty-first century. Written in accessible prose suitable for undergraduates, this introduction can be used to supplement any standard religion textbook.
This brief primer explains why Christian students should study religion, how they should go about it, and why it is important in our contemporary, pluralistic context. Senior religion scholar Terry Muck introduces the discipline and explains how it can be approached by Christian students. He explores the contemporary significance of studying religion in a complex, multicultural world and concludes by addressing the skills students must bring to the study of religion in the twenty-first century. Written in accessible prose suitable for undergraduates, this introduction can be used to supplement any standard religion textbook.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Ada, MI
United States
Publishing group
Baker Publishing Group
Dimensions
Height: 219 mm
Width: 143 mm
Thickness: 17 mm
Weight
285 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-8010-4995-8 (9780801049958)
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
Additional editions
E-Book
06/2016
Baker Publishing Group
€13.99
Available for download
Person
Terry C. Muck (PhD, Northwestern University), now retired, served as executive director of the Louisville Institute in Louisville, Kentucky, after teaching for many years at Austin Presbyterian Seminary and Asbury Theological Seminary. A senior scholar of religion, he has authored, coauthored, or edited numerous books, including Christianity Encountering World Religions and Handbook of Religion.
Content
Contents
Study Aids
Introduction
Part 1: Why?
1. The Study of Religion
2. The Student of Religion
Part 2: Why Now?
3. Changing Societies: Radical Differentiation
4. Complex Individuals: Hybrid Personalities
5. Clashing Religions: Contestation, Consilience, Confession
Part 3: How?
6. The Scholarly Skills: Studying Texts, Collecting Ethnographic Data, Comparing and Contrasting
7. Perspectival Objectivity: From Premodern to Modern to Postmodern
8. New Trajectories for the Study of Religion
Conclusion
Appendix 1: Classic Books in the Study of Religion
Appendix 2: Classic Essays in the Study of Religion
Appendix 3: Categorizing Religious Traditions: An Assignment
Appendix 4: Twelve Guidelines for the Study of Religion
Index
Study Aids
Introduction
Part 1: Why?
1. The Study of Religion
2. The Student of Religion
Part 2: Why Now?
3. Changing Societies: Radical Differentiation
4. Complex Individuals: Hybrid Personalities
5. Clashing Religions: Contestation, Consilience, Confession
Part 3: How?
6. The Scholarly Skills: Studying Texts, Collecting Ethnographic Data, Comparing and Contrasting
7. Perspectival Objectivity: From Premodern to Modern to Postmodern
8. New Trajectories for the Study of Religion
Conclusion
Appendix 1: Classic Books in the Study of Religion
Appendix 2: Classic Essays in the Study of Religion
Appendix 3: Categorizing Religious Traditions: An Assignment
Appendix 4: Twelve Guidelines for the Study of Religion
Index