Sacred Paths of the West

by Ludwig, Theodore M

• ISBN13: 9780131539068
• ISBN10: 013153906X
• eBook ISBN(s): 9781317344292
• Additional ISBN(s): 9780130293558
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-06-09
• Publisher: ROUTLEDGE
• More Book Details

Summary

Unique in approach, Theodore M. Ludwig's The Sacred Paths of the West combines a historical-descriptive presentation of individual religions with a comparative-thematic approach. It begins with a discussion of the basic human questions and concerns relating to religion-for example, origin and identity, ultimate reality, human nature, and the good life-and then uses these essential concepts to help describe the beliefs, practices, and historical development of each religion.

Table of Contents

Preface to the Third Edition	xi
Part ONE: Exploring the Sacred Paths	1	(69)
Perspectives on the Religious Path	3	(24)
Studying Religious Experience	3	(3)
Some Dimensions of Religious Experience	6	(4)
Basic Human Concerns and Religious Responses	10	(15)
Sacred Story and Historical Context	11	(2)
Worlds of Meaning: Theoretical Teachings	13	(4)
Ritual Practices and the Good Life	17	(8)
Discussion Questions	25	(1)
Key Terms: Exploring the Sacred Paths	26	(1)
Beginnings of the Human Religious Adventure	27	(7)
Story of Humankind Before History	28	(3)
Religions of the Great Ancient Civilizations	31	(2)
Discussion Questions	33	(1)
Key Terms: Beginnings of the Human Religious Adventure	33	(1)
Sacred Paths Among Indigenous Peoples	34	(36)
Identity Through Sacred Stories	35	(4)
Recounting the Tribal Sacred History	35	(2)
Identifying with the Culture Heroes	37	(1)
Map The Americas and the Pacific	38	(1)
Worlds of Meaning of Indigenous Peoples	39	(12)
Sacred Reality in Sky and Earth	39	(4)
Map African Peoples	43	(1)
The World and Human Existence	44	(4)
Paths of Healing and Transformation	48	(3)
Ritual Activity and the Good Life	51	(16)
Sacred Time, Ritual, and Art	51	(6)
Society and the Good Life	57	(4)
Modern Transformations of Indigenous Societies	61	(6)
Discussion Questions	67	(1)
Key Terms: Sacred Paths Among Indigenous Peoples	68	(2)
Part TWO: Religions Arising in the Mediterranean World	70	(177)
Religions of Ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Greece	73	(9)
Ancient Egyptian Religion	73	(3)
Cosmic Harmony and Human Existence	73	(2)
Ritual and Ethical Life	75	(1)
Map Ancient Civilizations	76	(1)
Religion in Ancient Mesopotamia	76	(3)
Cosmic State and Human Service	77	(1)
Ritual and Ethical Life	78	(1)
Religion in Ancient Greece	79	(2)
Worlds of Meaning in Ancient Greece	79	(1)
Ritual Activities and the Good Life	80	(1)
Discussion Questions	81	(1)
Key Terms: Religions of Ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Greece	81	(1)
The Zoroastrian Tradition	82	(13)
Sacred Story and Historical Context	82	(3)
Zarathustra's Life and Teachings	82	(1)
Development of the Zoroastrian Tradition	83	(2)
Zoroastrian Worlds of Meaning	85	(3)
Supreme God and Lesser Divine Powers	85	(2)
Creation and Human History	87	(1)
The Path of Human Transformation	88	(1)
Ritual and the Good Life for Zoroastrians	88	(5)
Prayer, Rituals, and Art	88	(4)
Community and Ethical Ideals	92	(1)
Discussion Questions	93	(1)
Key Terms: Zoroastrianism	94	(1)
Jewish Sacred Story and Historical Context	95	(20)
Foundations of the Jewish Story	95	(11)
Beginnings: Israel, People of the Covenant	95	(4)
The Promised Land and the Kingdom	99	(1)
Map Ancient Israel	100	(2)
Decline of the Kingdom: The Prophets	102	(1)
The Founding of Judaism	103	(3)
Further Transformations of Judaism	106	(8)
Jewish Life and Thought in Islamic Contexts	106	(3)
Tragedy and Response in Christian Medieval Europe	109	(1)
Emancipation and the Modern Age	110	(3)
Continuing Struggles and Hopes	113	(1)
Discussion Questions	114	(1)
Jewish Worlds of Meaning	115	(12)
One God as Creator, Revealer, and Redeemer	115	(3)
The Development of Monotheism	115	(1)
Jewish Vision of the One God	116	(2)
The World and Human Existence	118	(4)
Creation and Preservation of the World	118	(2)
The Shadow of Sin	120	(2)
Following the Path of Torah	122	(4)
God as Redeemer	122	(1)
The Human Movement of Repentance	123	(1)
On the Path of Transformation	124	(1)
Universal Blessing, Now and Hereafter	125	(1)
Discussion Questions	126	(1)
Ritual Practices and the Good Life for Jews	127	(16)
Jewish Rituals and Worship	127	(7)
Sabbaths for Rest, Festivals for Rejoicing	127	(2)
Mitzvot of Ritual and Worship	129	(3)
Healing and Medicine Among Jews	132	(1)
Artistic Expression in Jewish Religious Life	133	(1)
The Life of Torah: Jewish Community and Ethics	134	(7)
The Jewish People	135	(1)
The Life of Halakhah	136	(2)
The Missions of Peoplehood	138	(3)
Discussion Questions	141	(1)
Key Terms: Judaism	141	(2)
Christian Sacred Story and Historical Context	143	(24)
Foundations of the Christian Story	143	(10)
Jewish Roots of the Christian Way	143	(1)
Life and Teachings of Jesus	144	(3)
Crucifixion and Resurrection	147	(3)
Beginnings of the Christian Church	150	(3)
Further Transformations of the Christian Way	153	(13)
The Early Christian Church in the Roman World	153	(2)
Map The Mediterranean World	155	(2)
Medieval Christianity: The Age of Faith	157	(3)
Renaissance and Reformation	160	(4)
Struggles with Modernity	164	(1)
Christians in the World Today	165	(1)
Discussion Questions	166	(1)
Christian Worlds of Meaning	167	(12)
Loving Parent and Triune God	167	(3)
Seeing God's Face in Christ	167	(1)
One God, Three Persons: The Trinity	168	(2)
Creation and Human Existence	170	(3)
The Nature of Creation	170	(1)
Sin and Separation from God	171	(2)
The Path: Salvation by Grace	173	(5)
Saved by Jesus Christ	173	(3)
The Way of Faith	176	(2)
The Life of the World to Come	178	(1)
Discussion Questions	178	(1)
Ritual Practices and the Good Life for Christians	179	(17)
Christian Worship and Ritual	179	(7)
Breaking Bread and Praising God	179	(1)
Festivals and Holy Days	180	(2)
Worship in Daily Life	182	(2)
Healing and Medicine Among Christians	184	(1)
Art in Christian Worship and Ritual	185	(1)
The Life of Love: Society and Ethics	186	(7)
The Society of the Church	186	(3)
Sanctification of Life in Ethics	189	(3)
Responsibility and Mission in the World	192	(1)
Discussion Questions	193	(1)
Key Terms: Christianity	194	(2)
Muslim Sacred Story and Historical Context	196	(24)
The Story of the Prophet and the Book	196	(9)
The Times Before Muhammad	196	(2)
Muhammad as the Final Prophet	198	(3)
Establishing the Ummah in Medina	201	(3)
A Religion for All Peoples: Expansion of Islam	204	(1)
The Islamic Ummah in History	205	(14)
The Classical Period of Islam	205	(1)
Map The Spread of Islam	206	(6)
Medieval Empires: Stability and Flourishing Muslim Culture	212	(2)
Reform Movements and the Modern World	214	(2)
Map The Contemporary Middle East and Surrounding Countries	216	(1)
Muslims in the World Today	217	(2)
Discussion Questions	219	(1)
Muslim Worlds of Meaning	220	(10)
Allah, Lord of the Worlds	220	(2)
Life Centered in One God	220	(1)
God in the World	221	(1)
Nature of the World and Humans	222	(4)
The World as God's Creation	222	(2)
Negligence and Unbelief	224	(2)
Guidance on the Straight Path	226	(3)
Islam as a Path of Knowledge	227	(1)
Blessings Now and in the Life Hereafter	228	(1)
Discussion Questions	229	(1)
Ritual Practices and the Good Life for Muslims	230	(17)
Ritual Worship and Sacred Times	230	(8)
The Five Pillars	230	(4)
Other Festivals and Rituals	234	(2)
Muslim Views of Healing and Medicine	236	(1)
Art in Islamic Worship and Life	237	(1)
The Life of Shari'ah: Society and Ethics	238	(7)
Social Structure of Islam	238	(3)
The Way of Shari'ah	241	(3)
Transformation of Human Society	244	(1)
Discussion Questions	245	(1)
Key Terms: Islam	245	(2)
Part THREE: Ongoing Explorations on the Sacred Paths	247	(24)
New Religious Movements	248	(17)
Spiritual Searching and Alternative Sacred Paths	248	(4)
Rise of New Sectarian Movements	249	(1)
Attraction to Alternative Paths in the West	250	(2)
Nontraditional New Religious Movements	252	(11)
New Sacred Paths: Nineteenth-Century Roots	252	(6)
New Spiritual Movements of the Twentieth Century	258	(5)
Discussion Questions	263	(1)
Key Terms: New Religious Movements	264	(1)
Guideposts and Crossings on the Paths	265	(6)
Discussion Questions	270	(1)
Glossary	271	(9)
Notes	280	(3)
Suggestions for Further Reading	283	(7)
Acknowledgments	290	(2)
Index	292