Stupid Question #2

ms_n · #1 02-24-2002, 01:16 PM

I have to say that I just love this place, because there are so many different personalities and types from all walks of life. A great deal can be picked up here - for free. One of the things I appreciate are the lists of recommended books and music from those who have read and listened attentively, passionately, and intelligently. I feel as though I have struck hidden treasure at times.

Enough gushing. Here is my stupid question:

What books, sites, or other reading by topics or figures would you recommend to someone who wants to know the history of world religions, and then the forming or development of the Christian faith in greater depth?

satan · #2 02-24-2002, 02:10 PM

i'd do best to leave the book recommendations to the Padre, but you may want to take a look at Religious Tolerance . . . one of my favorite sites.

Next stupid question please!

phoenixx · #3 02-24-2002, 02:11 PM

The World's Religions by Huston Smith, used in nearly every World Religions 101 course as a brief introduction to the 12 major religions of the world. Should be followed by more in depth study, but fantastic for beginners.

History of the World's Religions by David S Noss - a deeper look at world religions and a good follow up to Smith's work, as Noss includes the relationship of religions to current world conflicts. Well written and interesting.

World Religion and Spirituality - the complete texts of every major world relgion's basic books online (the Torah, the Bible, the Qu'ran, The Tao Te Ching, etc.).

The Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell

Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heros by Edith Hamilton

Siddartha by Hermann Hesse

The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis

Eastern Religions by Elizabeth Seeger - I am not sure if this book is still in print or not. I hope so, as it is also an unbiased look at Eastern Religions.

The Razor's Edge by W. Sommorset Maugham - not really a textbook on World Religions, but a classic look at an American's search for religion and spirituality within himself, which takes him to many lands and through many spiritual experiences.

Some people enjoy reading the work of Carlos Castaneda for a look at Native American beliefs. I personally think he needs to be read with a BIG grain of salt, but he is oddly entertaining if you want to go there. Generally, though, I rank him right down there with self-help books and crap like The Celestine Prophesy or Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance - at the bottom of my heap.

That is just a start - there are so many more books to recommend to you! Let me know if you find these helpful and I'll post more (wouldn't want to overwhelm you with my boundless enthusiasm for this topic!).

Leslie

ms_n · #4 02-24-2002, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by satan
Next stupid question please!

Giggle. I'm thinking up one right now...

Dear Leslie,

I was overwhelmed before even asking this question! Getting recommendations helps ease the burden and is very helpful. Keep recommending. I am going to print out this thread and work my way through it.

Thanks!

phoenixx · #5 02-24-2002, 02:34 PM

I hope you enjoy those books on world religions as much as I have. I am working on a list of books for you relating solely to Christianity (CS Lewis wrote a number of them, and he is always an interesting read and a reliable source for information), but I am really hoping the good Fr. Kurt beats me to it. I'd love to hear what he has to say on the History of Christianity!

Meanwhile, here are couple of links to various timelines of Christianity, one Catholic, one non-Catholic:

http://campus.northpark.edu/history/...istianity.html

http://www.cwo.com/~pentrack/catholic/chron.html

Leslie

kurt_messick · #6 02-26-2002, 09:41 AM

http://users.exis.net/~frimmin/faith/apostolic.html

This is an interesting page that links to a great number of outside links for churches with varying degrees of 'catholicity'.

Good books I could recommend are:

The Story of Christian Spirituality: Two Thousand Years, from East to West, edited by Gordon Mursell. This is great for images and text of all the major and many of the minor spiritual traditions in Christianity.

Spiritual Traditions for the Contemporary Church by Robin Maas and Gabriel O'Donnell, does something similar. There are chapters on major faith traditions and spiritual practice; each chapter ends with a practicum that you can do individually or in small groups. A great way to embody the learning.

Practicing Our Faith: A Way of Life for a Searching People edited by Dorothy Bass. One of my favourite books in the entire world! We use this (and the one above) in our 'welcome to seminary' classes. It goes through different practices (singing, hospitality, forgiveness, etc.) and shares experiences and insights.

A World History of Christianity edited by Adrian Hastings, is a great collection of essays spanning the two thousand years of Christian history, drawing much from Eastern and non-Western sources as well as covering the basics in goodly fashion of Western traditions.

Surpassing Wonder: The Invention of the Bible and the Talmuds by Donal Harman Akenson will give an insight into the way the Bible and other sacred scripture came into being.

Huston Smith has already been recommended -- let me second the recommendation for basic introductions to the world's religions with a sympathetic view point.

There are other books I might recommend on other religions, if that is requested.

And yes, because of the title of the strand, I didn't know this question had been asked until alerted by a friend in a private message! (thanks, phoenixx!).

ms_n · #7 02-26-2002, 09:53 AM

Originally posted by Fr. Kurt:

There are other books I might recommend on other religions, if that is requested

Yes, please! And, a great thanks in advance.

phoenixx · #8 02-26-2002, 01:17 PM

Glad you got the note - I was hoping you'd add your know-how... ;-)

Always learning, learning, learning...

Leslie

roymeo · #9 02-26-2002, 01:31 PM

On a more techincal Theology/Philosophy vein, John Elton Trueblood's Philosophy of Religion was a good enough read that this atheist respected the logic involved and was actually and actively questioning his own thoughts, feelings, and spirituality in regards to Christian faith.

It's from 1957, so it misses some of the more modern threads in Philosophy, but it's worth a library visit to try to find.

roymeo

sylvanb · #10 02-27-2002, 11:54 AM

Anything by Jaroslav Pelikan. Just ask Fr. Kurt if I'm not right.

The Emergence of the Catholic Tradition, 100 -- 600

Please note that at that point, "Catholic" meant everybody.

ms_n · #11 02-27-2002, 01:53 PM

I just want to thank y'all for your input. Thanks!

And, a hopeful thanks to future input-ers.