The Perennial Dictionary of World Religions [Paperback]

Keith Crim (Author), Larry D. Shinn (Author), Roger A. Bullard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2, 1990

Lavishly illustrated with photographs, drawings, and full-color maps, this is a concise, authoritative compendium of information on the world's living religions by 161 scholars from major religious traditions and related fields. (Originally published by Abingdon Press as "Abingdon Dictionary of Living Religions" in 1981.)

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Lavishly illustrated with photographs, drawings, and full-color maps, this is a concise, authoritative compendium of information on the world's living religions by 161 scholars from major religious traditions and related fields. (Originally published by Abingdon Press as Abingdon Dictionary of Living Religions in 1981.)

About the Author

General editor Keith Crim is a freelance editor and former professor of philosophy and religious studies at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia.

Larry D. Shinn is dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and professor of religion at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.

Roger A. Bullard is professor of religion and philosophy at Atlantic Christian College in Wilson, North Carolina.

Product Details

• Paperback: 838 pages
• Publisher: HarperOne (February 2, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 006061613X
• ISBN-13: 978-0060616137
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 6.9 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,488,744 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent reference, June 23, 2001

By 

Adrian in DC (Washington, DC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Perennial Dictionary of World Religions (Paperback)

This is quite a concise compendium of information on all the world's better known religions (Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, etc.) as well as some lesser known ones to the general reader (such as Baha'i, Jainism, Sikhism and Zoroastrianism).

The book cover practically all major themes, figures, concepts, scriptures, movements, important festivals, rituals, ... you name it. Readers who seek a deeper, more extensive explanation can consult books on a specific topic, but this is definitely an excellent starting point and a good reference book.

The entries start at ABBASIDs (a Muslim dynasty) and end with ZWINGLI (the Protestant reformer). A sampling of the entries in between includes such broad a subject as "CONVERSION" and "MILLENARIANISM" to more definitive entries such as the Christian CONSUBSTANTIATION and Muslim QISAS.

This is definitely a must-have for truth seekers, curious readers... or just about anyone to whom the faith of others and oneself raises some questions.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, November 28, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Perennial Dictionary of World Religions (Paperback)

I agree 100% with the first reviewer. This is an excellent reference book. The more I use it, the more I am impressed. The only drawback is the amount of time that can be lost, because one entry sparks curiosity about others!