A World Theology: The Central Spiritual Reality of HumankindIn this book the authors, a Christian theologian and an atheistic Buddhist philosopher, examine the five major world religions--Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam--in order to demonstrate that each is a particular expression of one, common "world theology." They argue that each of these religions is centrally concerned with the same basic attempt to define the meaning and purpose of human life, and to comprehend a spiritual reality. Each is a culture-specific expression of a universal religious phenomenon, and the differing conceptualizations of the spiritual in these religions can be understood as symbolic expressions of one spiritual reality, which transcends the bounds of any one religious expression. Explaining both the symbolic differences and the essential commonalities of the major world religions, the authors argue that these religions should be considered mutually complementary rather than contradictory. This book points the way toward integrating the world's religions in a systematic manner in order to arrive at a common, world theology. |
Contents
Preface page ix | 1 |
Chapter Two Atheism and the Central Spiritual Reality | 26 |
Chapter Three Hinduism and the Central Spiritual Reality | 46 |
Chapter Four Buddhism and the Central Spiritual Reality | 82 |
Chapter Five Judaism and the Central Spiritual Reality | 138 |
Chapter Six Christianity and the Central Spiritual Reality | 197 |
Chapter Seven Islam and the Central Spiritual Reality | 264 |
Conclusion | 310 |
Other editions - View all
A World Theology: The Central Spiritual Reality of Humankind N. Ross Reat,Edmund F. Perry No preview available - 2010 |
Common terms and phrases
affirm Allāh argument asserts atheistic become behavior Bodhisattva Brahman Buddha central spiritual reality Christian Christianity's claim conceived concept created creation deities depicts Dharma divine doctrine earth enlightenment eternal existence experience faith God's love grace heaven Hindu Hinduism human person humanity's images inevitability of living intellectual symbolism Islam Israel Jesus Christ Jewish Judaic Judaism karma literal living with reference Lord Lord's Lord's reality Madhva Madhyamika meditation mind monism monotheism moral symbolism motivation Mu'tazila Muslims mythological expression mythological symbolism nature Nembutsu Nirvana nonmaterial realities one's ontological ontological argument philosophical Prasangika present Qur'an Rāmānuja reality of humankind realization reason rebirth regarded religions religious revelation righteous salvation saṁsāra scriptures selfless love Shekhinah spiritual symbolism Sufi symbolic expressions symbolism of desirability Symbolism of Elusiveness symbolism of undeniability Tathāgata Theravada things thou tion Torah truth ultimate reality ultimate referent ultimate spiritual reality ultimately desirable ultimately real universe Upanishads valid Vedic world theology