SCM Core Text: Religious Syncretism
SCM Core Text: Religious Syncretism

Author: Eric Maroney

Publisher: SCM Press

Published: 2006-05-25

Total Pages: 221

ISBN-13: 0334040183

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Even a quick scan of today's headlines makes clear that the growth of fundamentalist versions of Islam is having a vast impact on our world. For Americans the rise of Christian fundamentalism, especially the Evangelical movement, is also socially and politically shaping the country, as debates about abortion, stem cell research and other important issues are often driven by fundamentalist notions. In profound ways, orthodox versions of Judaism have altered the fabric of Middle Eastern politics through the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, especially regarding settlements in Gaza and the West Bank, making peace there all the more difficult, and further destabilizing an already unstable region. The rise of fundamentalism in the three monotheistic faiths is fully examined in this textbook. It is not about fundamentalism however, it is about its opposite trend: religious syncretism. Syncretism describes the phenomenon of one religion borrowing elements from another, and it is part of religion that fundamentalists will seldom acknowledge. This textbook explores Judaism, Christianity and Islam, using compelling examples of how syncretism works and looks, to show how these three religions have adopted customs and conceptions of other religions, most often acquiring practices from pagan predecessors and neighbours. The book shows how these three faiths - despite how modern media would have us believe - have been willing, at various times and places, to borrow.

SCM Core Text: Religion and Modern Thought
SCM Core Text: Religion and Modern Thought

Author: Victoria Harrison

Publisher: SCM Press

Published: 2013-01-03

Total Pages: 417

ISBN-13: 0334048192

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Written specifically for level 2 undergraduates, this textbook introduces readers to the extremely wide range of forms of religious thought, and the responses of religion to modern ideas, cultural phenomenon and events of the 20th century

SCM Core Text: Christian Approaches to Other Faiths
SCM Core Text: Christian Approaches to Other Faiths

Author: Paul Hedges

Publisher: SCM Press

Published: 2013-02-11

Total Pages: 352

ISBN-13: 0334048273

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The textbook begins with a chapter on exclusivism, inclusivism, particularity and pluralism, and one on interfaith. Each chapter explains the history, rationale and workings of the various approaches. Moreover, each is divided into sub-sections dealing with various forms of each approach, so that each may be appreciated in its individuality, i.e. the chapter on 'Inclusivism' will include sections on 'fulfilment theology' 'anonymous Christians', etc.The second part of this textbook deals with attitudes towards different faiths, considering the problems and relations that exist with Christian approaches to each. It will deal with the world's major faiths as well as primal religions and new religious movements. The introduction and conclusion will deal with some central themes that run throughout, in particular, the questions of the Trinity and concepts of salvation. In each section reference will be made to the key texts discussed in the Reader which accompanies this(9780334041155), however, the work may be read as a stand alone text.

SCM Core Text: Theological Hermeneutics
SCM Core Text: Theological Hermeneutics

Author: Alexander S. Jensen

Publisher: SCM Press

Published: 2013-02-11

Total Pages: 252

ISBN-13: 0334048265

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This book introduces theological hermeneutics by giving a historical account of the development of hermeneutical thinking. It defines hermeneutics as the analysis of the obstacles to understanding. The history of hermeneutical thinking and responses to obstacles is told here, beginning with the allegorical interpretation of myths in Hellenism through to the contemporary view of the hermeneutical problem as universal. Following the opening chapters on the history of hermeneutical thought, the book presents an overview of the various contemporary hermeneutical schools of thought, and shows their rooted-ness in different parts of the hermeneutical tradition. The focus is clearly on biblical interpretation however it does also take account of developments outside the field of theology, as they influence the theological reflection on the hermeneutical problem. The questions raised and the possible answers suggested in this volume will be of interest to students of other disciplines, such as philosophy and literature.

SCM Core Text: Theological Hermeneutics
SCM Core Text: Theological Hermeneutics

Author: Alexander Jensen

Publisher: SCM Press

Published: 2007-06-28

Total Pages: 252

ISBN-13: 0334029015

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This book introduces theological hermeneutics by giving a historical account of the development of hermeneutical thinking. It defines hermeneutics as the analysis of the obstacles to understanding. The history of hermeneutical thinking and responses to obstacles is told here, beginning with the allegorical interpretation of myths in Hellenism through to the contemporary view of the hermeneutical problem as universal. Following the opening chapters on the history of hermeneutical thought, the book presents an overview of the various contemporary hermeneutical schools of thought, and shows their rooted-ness in different parts of the hermeneutical tradition. The focus is clearly on biblical interpretation however it does also take account of developments outside the field of theology, as they influence the theological reflection on the hermeneutical problem. The questions raised and the possible answers suggested in this volume will be of interest to students of other disciplines, such as philosophy and literature.

Unpacking the New
Unpacking the New

Author: Afeosemime Unuose Adogame

Publisher: LIT Verlag Münster

Published: 2008

Total Pages: 381

ISBN-13: 3825807193

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In a world supposedly characterized by the production of new differences and cultural permutations resulting from the twin processes of globalization and cultural syncretisation, hardly anything has remained as obscure and theoretically under-theorized as the very notion of the "new" itself. An inherent relativity often accompanies any contemplation of what is new or old, as well as the question at which point the old turns into the new. Syncretism as both process and description hinges largely on the assumption and premise that what is observed has appropriately or inappropriately mixed categories - culture, religion, language - that are intrinsically alien to each other. Such a syncretic constellation is bound to result in something that may be considered new. Any definition of "syncretism", the syncretisation process and the appropriation of the notion "new" as useful heuristic tools must indeed be located within specific local contexts, as such terms are unlikely to serve as adequate descriptions of homogenous sets of phenomena. Syncretism as a process is intertwined with processes of contextualization. Against this backdrop, this book seeks to unravel and demystify the ideology of the new on the basis of concrete case studies from various regions across Africa and beyond.

SCM Core Text: Black Theology
SCM Core Text: Black Theology

Author: Anthony G. Reddie

Publisher: SCM Press

Published: 2013-01-26

Total Pages: 251

ISBN-13: 0334048931

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An accessible introduction to Black Theology, helping readers understand the inherited legacy of ‘race’, ethnicity, difference and racism, as well as the diversity and vibrancy of this movement.

SCM Core Text: Sociology of Religion
SCM Core Text: Sociology of Religion

Author: Andrew Dawson

Publisher: SCM Press

Published: 2013-01-25

Total Pages: 225

ISBN-13: 0334047706

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Sociology of Religion is an increasingly popular component of courses in religious studies at undergraduate level. While most textbooks on the Sociology of Religion are written from a sociological background, this new student-friendly textbook aims to introduce the field and the subjects studied by sociologists of religion to students with a background in theology and religious studies.

Gendering Christian Ethics
Gendering Christian Ethics

Author: Jenny Daggers

Publisher: Cambridge Scholars Publishing

Published: 2012-11-30

Total Pages: 199

ISBN-13: 1443843547

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Gendering Christian Ethics brings together ethical reflections by a new generation of European and American researchers. Contributors are well versed in feminist theology and feminist theory; chapters build on foundations laid by pioneers who first raised questions of gender and Christianity. Christian ethics have a bearing on the conduct of Christian theology, church or institution, and on distinctive Christian ways of engaging with the wider world. Gendering Christian Ethics addresses these inner and outer dynamics.