Jews, Christians, Muslims: A Comparative Introduction to Monotheistic Religions [Paperback]

John Corrigan (Author), Frederick Mathewson Denny (Author), Carlos Eire (Author), Martin S. Jaffee (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0023250925 | ISBN-13: 978-0023250927 | Publication Date: May 29, 1997 | Edition: 1

This book compares Judaism, Christianity, and Islam using seven common themes, which are equally relevant to each tradition. Provoking critical thinking, this book addresses the cultural framework of religious meanings. It explores similarities and differences among Judaism, Christianity, and Islam as it explains the ongoing process of interpretation in each religion. A comparative view of monotheistic religions showing the manor in which each has influenced and responded to the others. Provides readers with an opportunity to appreciate how religious change takes place and how traditions are shaped and reshaped including popular religion. Combines a focus on specific themes (scripture, ritual, ethics) with a strong narrative about the historical developments of these themes. Lets the reader see the enduring aspects of each tradition alongside of the changes. A discussion of material culture is presented.. Including an analysis of art and architecture, food, dress, and the organization of space. Written in crisp, clear prose, with a non-technical, casual approach. Includes illustrations, maps, timelines, and glossary.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

This book compares Judaism, Christianity, and Islam using seven common themes, which are equally relevant to each tradition. Provoking critical thinking, this text addresses the cultural framework of religious meanings. It explores similarities and differences among Judaism, Christianity, and Islam as it explains the ongoing process of interpretation in each religion.

From the Back Cover

This book compares Judaism, Christianity, and Islam using seven common themes, which are equally relevant to each tradition. Provoking critical thinking, this book addresses the cultural framework of religious meanings. It explores similarities and differences among Judaism, Christianity, and Islam as it explains the ongoing process of interpretation in each religion. A comparative view of monotheistic religions showing the manor in which each has influenced and responded to the others. Provides readers with an opportunity to appreciate how religious change takes place and how traditions are shaped and reshaped including popular religion. Combines a focus on specific themes (scripture, ritual, ethics) with a strong narrative about the historical developments of these themes. Lets the reader see the enduring aspects of each tradition alongside of the changes. A discussion of material culture is presented.. Including an analysis of art and architecture, food, dress, and the organization of space. Written in crisp, clear prose, with a non-technical, casual approach. Includes illustrations, maps, timelines, and glossary.

Product Details

• Paperback: 542 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 1 edition (May 29, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0023250925
• ISBN-13: 978-0023250927
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #483,051 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A gem of a book, June 14, 2000

By 

Dorothy B. Goodman (Setauket, N.Y.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jews, Christians, Muslims: A Comparative Introduction to Monotheistic Religions (Paperback)

A tour de force. Corrigan manages to provide literary, historical, mythological themes and contexts that illuminate current practice and belief.I found the details of this book enlarged my understanding of why and how these religions have many common strains and where they depart from one another.It also explains how the traditions of each,along with the practice,ethics and politics keep each vital enough in different countries and changing times to keep them going. A very weighty and multidimensional subject written with much grace. It's not only excellent as a reference book, it also holds up as a fascinating read.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A layman reads about monotheism, December 14, 2009

By 

honey "honey" (philadelphia, pa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jews, Christians, Muslims: A Comparative Introduction to Monotheistic Religions (Paperback)

A worthwhile book for those seeking information on this subject. The best sections by far are those on Christianity. They are written with an honesty not shown in most of the Muslim parts, and with style and humor missing from the rest.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent place to start, September 4, 2009

By 

David Fowler (Santa Barbara, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jews, Christians, Muslims: A Comparative Introduction to Monotheistic Religions (Paperback)

Several years ago I was introduced to this book in a college course on Judaism. I was very impressed with how helpful the book was in terms of providing articulate and insightful overviews of the subject matter. Finding the book so helpful in expanding my understanding of Judaism, I returned to it a few years later to learn more about Islam; I was not disappointed. Overall, the book is very good at providing the student with a solid foundation of knowledge on a wide variety of issues germane to studying each of the Western traditions - issues like how each tradition articulates its unique form of Monotheism, how each views its scripture, and how each approaches issues like ethics, religious law, authority, religious politics etc. In sum, the book is a great place to begin one's study of Western traditions because its very organization makes the unique contributions of each tradition, and its relation to the others, easier to comprehend.