Sacred Paths of the West: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

by Theodore M. Ludwig

• ISBN13: 9780023721816
• ISBN10: 0023721812
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1997-01-01
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis

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