The Sacred Paths of the West

by Ludwig, Theodore M.

• ISBN13: 9780130293558
• ISBN10: 0130293555
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-01-01
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Summary

Thoroughly revised, The Sacred Paths of the West, Second Edition, includes the following features:

• Up-to-date information and scholarly perspectives, including extensive suggestions for reading from recent publications.
• A new chapter on Zoroastrianism, filling out the portrait of religions arising in the Mediterranean world.
• Coverage of many diverse religions in clear family groupings based on geographical and historical connections.
• A thematic and empathetic approach that encourages exploration of the personal meanings and experiences of people of different faiths.
• Extensive quotations from the sacred scriptures of each religion, helping students to get a sense of the power and meaning of these sacred texts.
• Significant material on artistic expressions in the different religious traditions.
• Incorporation of women's experiences and leadership roles within the various religious traditions.
• A chapter devoted to the rise of new religious movements.

Maps, timelines, discussion questions, and suggestions for further readings are some of the study features included in this book to help students understand the highly complex nature of the various religious traditions.

Table of Contents

Preface to the Second Edition	xi
PART ONE Exploring the Sacred Paths	1	(61)
Perspectives on Religious Experience	3	(22)
Some Dimensions of Religious Experience	4	(6)
Grouping the Religious Traditions	7	(3)
Basic Human Concerns and Religious Responses	10	(13)
Sacred Story and Historical Context	10	(2)
Worlds of Meaning: Theoretical Teachings	12	(4)
Ritual Practices and the Good Life	16	(7)
Discussion Questions	23	(2)
Beginnings of the Human Religious Adventure	25	(6)
The Story of Humankind	26	(4)
Discussion Questions	30	(1)
Sacred Paths Among Indigenous Peoples	31	(31)
Identity Through Sacred Stories	32	(4)
Recounting the Sacred History	32	(3)
Map • The Americas and the Pacific	35	(1)
Worlds of Meaning of Indigenous Peoples	36	(12)
Sacred Reality in Sky and Earth	36	(4)
Map • African Peoples	40	(1)
The World and Human Existence	41	(3)
Paths of Healing and Transformation	44	(4)
Ritual Activity and the Good Life	48	(13)
Sacred Time, Ritual, and Art	48	(6)
Society and the Good Life	54	(4)
Modern Transformations of Indigenous Societies	58	(3)
Discussion Questions	61	(1)
PART TWO Religions Arising in the Mediterranean World	62	(174)
Religions of Ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Greece	65	(9)
Ancient Egyptian Religion	65	(3)
Cosmic Harmony and Human Existence	65	(2)
Ritual and Ethical Life	67	(1)
Map • Ancient Civilizations	68	(1)
Religion in Ancient Mesopotamia	68	(3)
Cosmic State and Human Service	69	(1)
Ritual and Ethical Life	70	(1)
Religion in Ancient Greece	71	(2)
Worlds of Meaning in Ancient Greece	71	(1)
Ritual Activities and the Good Life	72	(1)
Discussion Questions	73	(1)
The Zoroastrian Tradition	74	(13)
Sacred Story and Historical Context	74	(3)
Zarathustra's Life and Teachings	74	(1)
Development of the Zoroastrian Tradition	75	(2)
Zoroastrian Worlds of Meaning	77	(3)
Supreme God and Lesser Divine Powers	77	(2)
Creation and Human History	79	(1)
The Path of Human Transformation	80	(1)
Ritual and the Good Life for Zoroastrians	80	(5)
Prayer, Rituals, and Art	80	(4)
Community and Ethical Ideals	84	(1)
Discussion Questions	85	(2)
Jewish Sacred Story and Historical Context	87	(20)
Foundations of the Jewish Story	87	(11)
Beginnings: Israel, People of the Covenant	87	(4)
The Promised Land and the Kingdom	91	(1)
Map • Ancient Israel	92	(2)
Decline of the Kingdom: The Prophets	94	(1)
The Founding of Judaism	95	(3)
Further Transformations of Judaism	98	(8)
Jewish Life and Thought in Islamic Contexts	98	(3)
Tragedy and Response in Christian Medieval Europe	101	(2)
Emancipation, Enlightenment, and the Modern Age	103	(3)
Discussion Questions	106	(1)
Jewish Worlds of Meaning	107	(12)
One God as Creator, Revealer, and Redeemer	107	(3)
The Development of Monotheism	107	(2)
Jewish Vision of the One God	109	(1)
The World and Human Existence	110	(4)
Creation and Preservation of the World	111	(1)
The Shadow of Sin	112	(2)
Following the Path of Torah	114	(4)
God as Redeemer	114	(1)
The Human Movement of Repentance	115	(1)
On the Path of Transformation	116	(1)
Universal Blessing, Now and Hereafter	117	(1)
Discussion Questions	118	(1)
Ritual Practices and the Good Life for Jews	119	(14)
Jewish Rituals and Worship	119	(6)
Sabbaths for Rest, Festivals for Rejoicing	119	(3)
Mitzvot of Ritual and Worship	122	(2)
Artistic Expression in Jewish Religious Life	124	(1)
The Life of Torah: Jewish Community and Ethics	125	(7)
The Jewish People	125	(2)
The Life of Halakhah	127	(2)
The Missions of Peoplehood	129	(3)
Discussion Questions	132	(1)
Christian Sacred Story and Historical Context	133	(25)
Foundations of the Christian Story	133	(10)
Jewish Roots of the Christian Way	133	(1)
Life and Teachings of Jesus	134	(4)
Crucifixion and Resurrection	138	(2)
Beginnings of the Christian Church	140	(3)
Further Transformations of the Christian Way	143	(14)
The Early Christian Church in the Roman World	143	(1)
Map • The Mediterranean World	144	(4)
Medieval Christianity: The Age of Faith	148	(3)
Renaissance and Reformation	151	(4)
Christians in the Modern Period	155	(2)
Discussion Questions	157	(1)
Christian Worlds of Meaning	158	(12)
Loving Parent and Triune God	158	(3)
Seeing God's Face in Christ	158	(1)
One God, Three Persons: The Trinity	159	(2)
Creation and Human Existence	161	(3)
The Nature of Creation	161	(1)
Sin and Separation from God	162	(2)
The Path: Salvation by Grace	164	(5)
Saved by Jesus Christ	165	(3)
The Way of Faith	168	(1)
The Life of the World to Come	169	(1)
Discussion Questions	169	(1)
Ritual Practices and the Good Life for Christians	170	(15)
Christian Worship and Ritual	170	(6)
Breaking Bread and Praising God	170	(2)
Festivals and Holy Days	172	(1)
Worship in Daily Life	173	(2)
Art in Christian Worship and Ritual	175	(1)
The Life of Love: Society and Ethics	176	(7)
The Society of the Church	176	(3)
Sanctification of Life in Ethics	179	(3)
Responsibility and Mission in the World	182	(1)
Discussion Questions	183	(2)
Muslim Sacred Story and Historical Context	185	(25)
The Story of the Prophet and the Book	185	(10)
The Times Before Muhammad	185	(2)
Muhammad as the Final Prophet	187	(3)
Establishing the Ummah in Medina	190	(3)
A Religion for All Peoples: Expansion of Islam	193	(1)
Map • The Spread of Islam	194	(1)
The Islamic Ummah in History	195	(13)
The Classical Period of Islam	195	(7)
Medieval Empires: Stability and Flourishing Muslim Culture	202	(1)
Reform Movements and the Modern World	203	(4)
Map • The Contemporary Middle East and Surrounding Countries	207	(1)
Discussion Questions	208	(2)
Muslim Worlds of Meaning	210	(11)
Allah, Lord of the Worlds	210	(2)
Life Centered in One God	210	(2)
Nature of the World and Humans	212	(4)
The World as God's Creation	212	(2)
Negligence and Unbelief	214	(2)
Guidance on the Straight Path	216	(4)
Islam as a Path of Knowledge	217	(2)
Blessings Now and in the Life Hereafter	219	(1)
Discussion Questions	220	(1)
Ritual Practices and the Good Life for Muslims	221	(15)
Ritual Worship and Sacred Times	221	(8)
The Five Pillars	221	(4)
Other Festivals and Rituals	225	(2)
Art in Islamic Worship and Life	227	(2)
The Life of Shari'ah: Society and Ethics	229	(6)
Social Structure of Islam	229	(2)
The Way of Shari'ah	231	(3)
Transformation of Human Society	234	(1)
Discussion Questions	235	(1)
PART THREE Ongoing Explorations on the Sacred Paths	236	(25)
New Religious Movements	238	(16)
Spiritual Searching and Alternative Sacred Paths	238	(4)
Rise of New Sectarian Movements	239	(1)
Attraction to Alternative Paths in the West	240	(2)
Nontraditional New Religious Movements	242	(11)
New Sacred Paths: Nineteenth-Century Roots	242	(5)
New Spiritual Movements of the Twentieth Century	247	(6)
Discussion Questions	253	(1)
Guideposts and Crossings on the Paths	254	(7)
Discussion Questions	259	(2)
Glossary	261	(14)
Notes	275	(4)
Suggestions for Further Reading	279	(10)
Acknowledgments	289	(2)
Index	291