Eerdmans Handbook to the World's Religions: A Comprehensive Guide Articles by Experts Photographs, Charts Fact-Finder Reference Section [Paperback]

Eerdmans (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1994 | ISBN-10: 0802808530 | ISBN-13: 978-0802808530 | Edition: Revised

An excellent introduction to religions of the world. Each faith is clearly and objectively described along with its history, scriptures, worship, beliefs, and practices.

Product Details

• Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Revised edition (November 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802808530
• ISBN-13: 978-0802808530
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #412,408 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SUPERB SURVEY AND INVALUABLE REFERENCE BOOK, December 8, 2000

By 

Christopher W. Plummer (Newport, RI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Eerdmans Handbook to the World's Religions: A Comprehensive Guide Articles by Experts Photographs, Charts Fact-Finder Reference Section (Paperback)

I am enrolled in a masters program where this is an assigned text for an elective. After having been force-fed literally hundreds of readings from hundreds of books - this book stood out as the only text that I purchased. It is a fantastic, impartial, overview which includes great illustrations and charts. It is equally rewarding to read straight through, only the parts that interest you or as a handy reference.

11 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars informative, but highly opinionated, April 18, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Eerdmans Handbook to the World's Religions: A Comprehensive Guide Articles by Experts Photographs, Charts Fact-Finder Reference Section (Paperback)

this book gives a basic overview of the worlds religions, but i found it a bit frustrating to read. in my opinion, anyone wishing to read the basic facts of each religion out of curiousity alone, will find that certian excerpts are highly opinionated. the section on buddhism, one part of it is titled, "the appeal of buddhism in the west", this is not problem, but do we need support why "people can live good lives only when given new life by jesus christ, otherwise they are powerless... and ...unable to escape the cycle of sin and death...." one other example is in response to a zen buddihist excerpt which the authors says, "this thinking is pushed to the absurd, it is useless to seek rational answers to them, the tension they produce must be borne to the utmost...." there are many other statments like these peppered throughout this book. on the other hand it does have some good information making it a useful introduction to the many religions. maybe the best thing would be a more appropiate title for the book, so that people who would like a nuetral yet informative approach will be better informed.

5.0 out of 5 stars Thorough, colorful, scholarly yet accessible, efficient, July 31, 2009

By 

Digger Graves "Buzzard" (Memphis, TN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Eerdmans Handbook to the World's Religions: A Comprehensive Guide Articles by Experts Photographs, Charts Fact-Finder Reference Section (Paperback)

Having taught a Comparative Religion course to a diverse student body (Protestants, Catholics, Jews, Hindus, Muslims) for years at an academic prep school, and having had worked in a prior profession (not a previous life) as a funeral director serving multiple faith traditions, I find this Eerdmans' project quite a praiseworthy effort. The color plates, charts, and general layout are somewhat dated for the Y generation and their heavy desire for graphics and white space on the page, but they can get over it. It is a physically dense book in paperback on a high quality glossy paper, so the graphics can compensate for a ubiquitously small typeface font. All that said, the content is masterfully organized and the chapters allow for an excellent resource read to compliment films, site visits (mandatory, I argue, for any quality exposure to the vast experiences, sights, sounds, and smells of different houses of worship), and consider classroom visits by area clerical leaders who can bring the subject alive where the instructor has no expertise. The Eerdmans' text has not received any palpable criticism from among the multiplicity of faith leaders or students' families that I've encountered, and I think that I would have heard criticism if it were significant. Last, when teaching Comparative or World Religions, simply speaking from good experiences with teaching great students, I suggest teachers go out to eat with their students at ethnic restaurants representing the faith tradition under study. If you have access to practitioners of the faith under study, offer them an opportunity to present at dinner, and even consider inviting their family to participate. Mostly, the students just want to do the presentation themselves, and that is my preference, but various situations call for different responses.