Customer Reviews

Neighboring Faiths: A Christian Introduction to World Religions

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4 star:		(2)
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This book is very indepth and detailed as well as informed about the religions it talks about. It is a very good source for learning about rituals, traditions, and cultures that surround and encompass world religions.

Having Dr. Corduan for class, I had to buy his book, yet that didn't keep me from reading ahead and into sections that we didn't even cover. A great book that covers all the major world religions (minus Christianity) and gives Christians an excellent chance to truly be able to relate to others in our cities, states, and country who have differing views from ours.

If you're a missionary, I would highly suggest picking this up and learning about the main religion of the area that you're going to before you get there.

I read through this book for one of my classes and I learned a bunch from the class and I would highly suggest reading this if you're dealing with other cultures on a regular basis (or if you just want to learn about them).

Very thorough, but not too dry at all. Many textbooks get dry, but this one holds your attention!

As an individual, Corduan combines a deep knowledge with great meekness. Likewise, Neighboring Faiths reflects this same gentleness and depth of insight. Though from an unashamedly Christian perspective, it is uncompromisingly fair in approaching other faiths.

My book arrived on time and in perfect condition. It was great to be able to sell one of my textbooks back to Amazon and then use that Amazon money to buy this one. I also got free shipping with Amazon Student. Thank you!

I enjoyed this book and found it very helpful for perspective. What was especially good was the summary sections at the end of each chapter. As well as questions for thought research topic pointers. Though I would disagree with some of her personal observations when he sticks to facts they speak for themselves. Very good read!

Good apologetics requires accuracy. Otherwise, the Christian reader addresses the wrong things, and will have no hearing. This book does not help Christians to properly understand the religions covered. The chapter on Baha'i is an example - it is not only inaccurate, it is in parts a caricature of Baha'i history and teachings. The Bab's title was not a claim to be a representative of the Mahdi, although many initially interpreted it that way. The Bab's proclamation to his first disciple was as the Gate of God (that is, a Divine Messenger). Corduan mischaracterizes Azal as the "prophet" the Bab promised, but Azal was appointed only as a leader of the Babi community until such time as the promised prophet appeared. Baha'u'llah was that promised one. Virtually the entire Babi community followed Baha'u'llah. The so-called "struggle for succession" is simply not what Corduan makes of it. The author's arguments about this "struggle," as well as the opposition to 'Abdu'l-Baha, could be turned around and pointed at Christianity as well if one wanted to look at the rebellion of Judas, the denial of Jesus by Peter, or the struggle between early disciples over the proper requirements for church membership. One must review the motives and spiritual outcomes to note whether the good tree brought forth good fruit.

'Abdu'l-Baha did not proclaim himself the authorized interpreter of Baha'i scripture. Baha'u'llah designated 'Abdu'l- Baha such in clear language in his will and in his Most Holy Book. The author's insinuation of usurpation is insulting to Baha'is. The author makes the same mistake when he states that Shoghi Effendi "assumed leadership." 'Abdu'l-Baha appointed him Guardian of the Baha'i Faith in his will.

To address 'Abdu'l-Baha as Abdul, and Shoghi Effendi as Shoghi, is not only disrespectful, but shows a woeful ignorance of Islamic names.

The Universal House of Justice is not the "central shrine of Baha'i." The Universal House of Justice is the 9-member council that guides the Baha'i community at the international level.

The Manifestations of God are not called "babs" in the Baha'i Faith. Baha'u'llah mentions more than nine such Messengers in his works. While Baha'u'llah's revelation is the culmination of the prophetic cycle gone before, he states that God's method of sending down revelations will continue. It is not "somewhat paradoxical" (as Corduan writes), nor simply "theoretically possible" that other Messengers of God will appear.

Corduan totally de-emphasizes Baha'i personal spirituality, and states that Baha'is focus on social action. This faith requires of its members daily obligatory prayer, reading of scripture, meditation, an annual fast, personal study, and the teaching of their faith to others. To divorce personal spirituality from social action is, for Baha'is, to betray God's will. Both are necessary.

Corduan criticizes the Baha'is for being inclusive, and then criticizes them for not being all-inclusive. What is included or not included is based upon the teaching of Baha'u'llah. This is the same principle that would apply for a Christian who weighs the world on the basis of the Bible, which is sometimes inclusive and sometimes not.

Corduan should review the references to sin in the Baha'i scriptures (of which there are many) if he wishes to understand its approach to individual salvation. Both individual and social redemption go hand in hand for Baha'is. His dismissal of the Baha'i approach in favor of Christian individual redemption also dismisses a social action tradition in Christianity that is as much based upon biblical principle as the salvation of the individual.

Corduan's use of W. M. Miller's anti-Baha'i polemical work in his bibliography suffices to indicate the author's intent, which is certainly not to provide an accurate picture for Christians so that they can engage in real dialogue. Any reader who follows this book will not communicate successfully with his Baha'i contacts. I do not recommend this book to Christians as an accurate or helpful way to learn about other religions.