Customer Reviews

World Religions and Cults 101: A Guide to Spiritual Beliefs (Christianity 101®)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have read various so-called non-biased texts on world religions over the years. It is refreshing to read a book that admits up front that it has a bias. This book is probably best used by practicing Christians who would like to compare and contrast their faith with others, thereby clarifying their own beliefs and giving them a tool for witnessing. I first read this many years ago, but I plan to order more now to lead a Bible Study. The humor makes it more fun to read, but I promise we will discuss whether it is offensive, and how to share our faith without coming across as condescending.

A well written book from a Christian perspective. Has a bit of humor thrown in every here and there and they speak very clearly and concisely.

This is a great book! It is very thorough in explaining differences in religions/cults. It has a little humor which balances out the serious subject. I would recommend it to anyone!

Nancy

These two authors are outstanding in presenting information to an individual just starting to study the world's religions and their basic doctrines. It is easy reading and despite the title has a bit of humor interspersed - far from boring!! It will lead a reader to more of their published books.

It was a great book letting one know something about almost every existing cult in the world. It expesses 'why' we are christians. Over the years I've had to order more than a couple copies for friends. Highly recommended.

I read this book and was satisfied with it. The writers were upfront with where their loyalties lie. They are Christians,and there's not even the slightest hint that they would lean in any other direction. However they presented the information truthfully about the other religions which allow the reader to be open-minded. The iformation concerning other religions was current and correct when compared to sources on the internet and other reference books.
It was a welcomed Addition to my ministerial Library.

After reading this book and then looking at the image on the cover I realized I should have known this was a biased book on world religions. Hmm...where does the road lead? Right to Christianity. Perhaps it is my fault this book did not live up to my expectations.

With that said, here are my reasons for not liking this book. First of all, the authors tried to bring humor to this book but the humor came off as more insulting to the other religions than funny. Also, I did not like that towards the end of most chapters on religions other than Christianity the authors felt they needed to thrown in a few arguments on why this reglion was not as good as their faith. The first chapter of the book is on Christianity, I really didn't need a recap after each chapter after that. Lastly, the last chapter of the book is on how to practice your religion (if you are a Christian, that is).

I really was just looking for an open-minded book with good information on the many religions found in our world. While this book did break those religions down I also felt they were talking down about them.

If you are looking for a really informative and unbiased book on world religions I recommend The World's Religions by Huston Smith. Smith gives very detailed accounts on religions and is very good about leaving his personal beliefs out of the text. In fact, I ended up reading both of these books together. First, I read a chapter (with gritted teeth) of the Bickel & Jantz book and followed it with a corresponding chapter of Smith's book.

It's a pretty good book. Gave me the information I was looking for but it's significantly biased toward Christianity. At the very beginning, they say they want to present an "objective" view of all the religions, then immediately after, they say Christianity is the only religion that is completely true. And how do we know this? Well, because God said so, of course! It's right there in the Bible!! Then they go on to discuss the other religions and at the end of each, they compare them to Christianity and to each other (which is good), but then they say "here are all the reasons why this religion is wrong."

Although I appreciate the candor in the Authors Note that they are Christians and they were not going to try to hide that, they also put that we do not want to read another one-sided, intolerant, discriminatory tirade against other faiths. With that said, they bagin each chapter with a Bible Scripture in the attempt to discredit the faith you are about to read. I have to agree with another reviewer who said they tried to be funny but it really just came off as judgemental and insulting.

I had to laugh out loud in the section on Hinduism. The questions for review in the back I found to be the most insulting because they were a clear ploy to push their own agenda. Page 168, question number 6. It said, Is reincarnation defensible from a rational standpoint? My answer to that was,"Is Mary giving birth to Jesus as a Virgin rational?"

My guess is that these particular Christians have never read, The Gnostic Gospels, Nag Hammadi, The Gospel of Mary Magdeline, The Unknown Life of Jesus (Issa,) or the lost book of John which is the same guy in the Bible, only the story is a lot different with that missing link. He states the name of the God of the Bible and guess what...It is not the Supreme God. You cannot accept a mans testimony in one book because it made it into the Bible and then ignore the full gospel of his writings when it is found later in a desert with other gospels from that time period. I would gather they also never read Holy Blood Holy Grail. I recommend anyone who is intersted in researching religion to do so with an open mind and study them all before making your conclusion.

This book is very biased and although it has some good information, it is hard to find it through all the sarcasm and insults. I have to agree with the other reviewer when he said the cover says it all. The Narrow Road Leads to Christianity? Whatever! You've got to hand it to the Publishers though. They new this book would cause some outrage and that is what sends the books flying off the shelves. As an Author myself, who has studied and continues to study world religions, this biased and sometimes ignorant book has given me another chapter to write on. Thank you for that.

B&S outlines ive been able to read through. also read their, 'guide to bible prophecy' their masterpiece that's sadly out of publication.