What are some good, academic books about the history of the. A history of religion in america provides comprehensive coverage of the history of religion in america, with the first volume covering the first settlements through to the civil war and the second volume from the end of the civil war to the twentyfirst century. Current issues are now on the chicago journals website. This period of religious history begins with the invention of writing about 5,220 years ago 3200 bce. Sep 19, 2003 for a good two decades teachers and students of american religious history have turned to the twovolume documentary history of religion in america for the most significant primary sources from the nations founding to the present. The life and times of jesus of nazareth by reza aslan, fields of blood. Studying the history of religion is a gateway to more than just an understanding of religious institutions. Our books explore religion around the world, covering topics such as religion, gender and sexuality, and religion and popular culture, as well as offering the.
Through fair, contextual use of the quran as the primary source text, apologist james r. It comprises four large volumes, so it is quite a long read, and there are parts specially in the first volume, which deals with primitive mythologies that are very outdated, but in ge. Just curious as to what some of you think are the bestmost accurateobjective books on christian history. History of religions strives to publish scholarship that reflects engagement with particular traditions, places, and times and yet also speaks to broader methodological. In addition, there is a prize for the best first book in the history of religions, and for religion and the arts. Inspired by a recent email exchange, were going to try to start occasionally featuring here some recommended resources about church history. People often complain that philosophers present too complex a picture of god, but whitehead cautions that it may be the very simplicity of modernist notions of god that thwarts the religious. This page is currently inactive and is retained for historical reference. In the years following his death, the believers of jesus fell into two.
A history of religion in america 1st edition bryan le. The story of americas most secretive religion janet reitman. Ten books you should read to understand american religion. What are some good, academic books about the history of. Never before have americans needed to be reminded more of where american religious liberty started. Discover book depositorys huge selection of history of religion books online.
A documentary history of religion in america to 1877. For a good two decades teachers and students of american religious history have turned to the twovolume documentary history of religion in america for the most significant primary sources from the nations founding to the present. Primary expression of religious life religion, a liberal essay. Books general tips and wikiproject wikipedia books questions and assistance. Is padre manuel acuna a legitimate faith healer or a. The book creator user interface, for designing the book and for selecting an electronic format to render an individual copy as an e. Christianity acquires through constantine its historic homelands. A documentar y history is the first text to show the breadth and depth of the american encounter with asian religions. The scores of documents transcribed and annotated in this book.
Share discover in a free daily email todays famous history and birthdays enjoy the famous daily. Documentary the naked truth traces the origins of modern religions back to stories from numerous ancient civilizations due to the lack of science and facts, stories were created by our ancient ancestors in provide explanations to the amazing, bizarre, frightening, but natural wonders of the world. Religion in the making book by alfred north whitehead. Religion and the book in early modern england john foxes acts and monuments popularly known as the book of martyrsis a milestone in the history of the english book. For decades students and scholars have turned to the twovolume documentary history of religion in america for access to the most significant primary sources relating to american religious history from the sixteenth century to the present. A history of the worlds religions th edition by unknown author. It also offers a glimpse at the propagation and function of ancient civilizations. Richard holloway retells the entire history of religionfrom the dawn of religious belief to the twentyfirst centurywith deepest respect and a keen commitment to accuracy. List of books and articles about american religious history. This halfway house towards monotheism is described technically as. Searching for books edit you can look for books either by browsing the book categories or by searching for a title or topic. Written for general readers by leading authors and experts, these books examine the historical origins of texts from the great religious traditions, and trace how. White presents islamic beliefs about christ, salvation, the trinity, the afterlife, and other important topics.
It is also the oldest among the religions of today. Discover the best religious history in best sellers. What used to be an exotic religion of people halfway around the world is now the belief system of people living across the street. The ambitious and endlessly fascinating the real jesus christ attempts to decipher the history and teachings of jesus that have been hidden from view for well over 2,000 years.
A documentary history is the only onevolume, uptodate collection of primary sources available for american religious history courses. Where the word of god was spread through printed documents and word of mouth in colonial times, in the modern era the word is relayed through television and radio broadcasting and other technologies in the early 1990s, evangelist websites began to. Since the beginning of time, religion has been a significant influence on our cultures, going so far as to shape our traditions, our behavior, and even our. Aug 23, 2017 studying the history of religion is a gateway to more than just an understanding of religious institutions. Sep 21, 2016 to order a little history of religion for. The 4,000year quest of judaism, christianity, and islam by. Religion has played a complex, vibrant, and multifaceted role in our nations history. Years ago, almost everybody thought that writing about american religion meant writing about congregationalists and presbyterians. Noll, associate professor of religion at brandon university, is. Either the page is no longer relevant or consensus on its purpose has become unclear. American religious history american religious history there are more than 2,000 primary religious organizations in the united states, taking a number of different forms including churches, sects, cults, temples, societies and missions.
One is the troubling fact that the new research has had little impact on the writing of general u. What are the best books to read on the history of religion. Choose from used and new textbooks or get instant access with etextbooks and digital materials. I can provide the following general suggestions for the period during which the books were being written.
This award honors exceptional scholarship and eligible books must meet four criteria. It can trace its beginnings to the arrival of the indoiranians in india from about 1500 bc. A history of the worlds religions th edition th edition. Focuses less on the history of specific religion and more on the origins of ideas like polytheism, monotheism, the persistent soul, etc. For nearly fifty years, history of religions has set the standard for the study of religious phenomena from prehistory to modern times. An essential history of the english reformation and a seminal product of it, no english printed book before it had been as long or as lavishly illustrated. One can also study comparative religious chronology through a timeline of. To revive discussion, seek broader input via a forum such as the village pump. Carefully refurbished by renowned historian of american religion mark. Pages in category history books about religion the following pages are in this category, out of total. This collection contains a rich variety of fascinating documentsletters, sermons, court records, personal narratives, and the likethat chronicle the. Writing for those with faith and those without, and especially for young readers, he encourages curiosity and tolerance, accentuates nuance and mystery, and calmly. Religions commit suicide when they find their inspirations in their dogmas.
This list may not reflect recent changes learn more. The aar history of religions jury invites nominations for best first book in the history of religions award. The history of religion refers to the written record of human religious experiences and ideas. The hebrews are the first people to develop the idea of one god though a tentative step in that direction has been made by the egyptian pharaoh akhenaten. But christianity compensates by conquering pagan territories to the north of the alps.
The story of the creation of the book of mormon has been told many times, and often ridiculed. Wikimedia commons the author will participate in a program on religious liberty. The following pages are in this category, out of total. Journal of southern religion from the inside flap in the first ever documentary survey of religious intolerance from the colonial era to the present, editors corrigan and neal define religious intolerance and explore its history and manifestations, including hate speech, discrimination, incarceration, expulsion, and violence. Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. It is certainly true that religious history is booming, but rapid growth has generated some problems too.
One of the most effective ways to help students explore its vitality is through primary sources. Buddhism is the first of the world religions to expand from its place of origin. I found very interesting joseph campbells the masks of god. In the 7th century much of the eastern empire is lost to a newer religion, islam. The prehistory of religion involves the study of religious beliefs that existed prior to the advent of written records. History of religions sets standard for the comparative study of religious phenomena from prehistory to modern times. Online shopping for history religious studies from a great selection at books store. Evangelism has long been a part of american religious history. The years 10 most intriguing religion books the washington. The two volumes explore major religious groups in the united states and examine a range of topics. Shop religion christianity history books at alibris.
At first the hebrew god, yahweh or jehovah, remains one god among many though the only god deserving worship. Religion in history, looks at definitions of religion, the emergence of religion, ritual and emotion, belief, rationalism, the ascent of man and the ultimate contrast between christianity and buddhism. The perception is credited in biblical tradition to abraham. Sep 07, 2018 i can provide the following general suggestions for the period during which the books were being written. Buy a cheap copy of a documentary history of religion in. If youre interested in a much broader book that covers lots of topics, including religion, peter watsons ideas. For the next three centuries the entire roman empire will be christian. Ones character is developed according to ones faith. Anyone know a good book on the history of religionnot one. These awards honor works of distinctive originality, intelligence, creativity, and importance. Jesus, paul, food, charity, and prayer were just some of the areas examined in this years crop of books under the broad heading of religion. Journal of southern religion from the inside flap in the first ever documentary survey of religious intolerance from the colonial era to the present, editors corrigan and neal define religious intolerance and explore its history and manifestations, including hate speech.
Dec 23, 20 jesus, paul, food, charity, and prayer were just some of the areas examined in this years crop of books under the broad heading of religion. Other commentary comes from robin fretwell wilson, douglas laycock and kristina arriaga. Awards for excellence are given in four categories. Ranging from 1784 to the present, it features over one hundred excerpts and dozens of illustrations drawn from literature, art, music, sports, philosophy, theology, politics, and law. Of course, in any one of our now 109 fantastic issues and two special guides you will always find a recommended resources sectionbut more doesn t hurt. Discover the best history of religions in best sellers. The inspiration of religion lies in the history of religion. Both volumes in this landmark work here appear in an updated and expanded third edition. Lives of great religious books princeton university press. This fourth editionpublished in a single volume for the first timehas been updated and condensed. The history of religion, which is a part of the history of thought, necessarily shows, as is observed above, a constant enlargement of the domain of natural law, and a consequent contraction of the direct action of the supernatural, though this does not always or generally lessen the conviction that the supernatural power, acting through. For information and help on wikipedia books in general, see help. Aar best first book in the history of religions award. Forth by day the complete papyrus of ani featuring integrated text and fillcolor images history.
Sep 14, 2015 the author will participate in a program on religious liberty at the national constitution center on september 21. Hinduism is the only great modern religion in which the ancient pattern of worship survives, with priests tending a multiplicity of gods. A history of thought and invention, from fire to freud is pretty interesting. September 14, 2015 by marci hamilton mayflower in plymouth harbor by william halsall 1882 credit. Its value confirmed by widespread textbook use for over a decade, edwin gaustads twovolume documentary history of religion in america contains a rich variety of documentsletters, sermons, court records, personal narratives, and the likethat chronicle the multifaceted drama of american religious history. The first three thousand years upon christopher hitchens recommendation in one of his final debates certainly more objective than his own account. Ive just finished diarmaid maccullocks a history of christianity. A documentary history of the book of mormon presents and examines the primary sources surrounding the origin of the foundational text of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, the most successful new religion of modern times. This isnt so true now, but this is the best and most famous book ever written from that perspective and raises challenging questions about our own day and the american dream. The natural history of religion table of contents introduction 1. Established by the american council of learned societies in 1891, this award is now administered by the american academy of religion. Deities not considered as creators or formers of the worl 5.