Nelsons Illustrated Guide to Religions: A Comprehensive Introduction to the Religions of the World

A comprehensive introduction to the religions of the world analyzed from a Christian perspective "Nelson's Illustrated Guide to Religions" covers more than
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This review was done for Thomas Nelson. If you are interested in becoming a book review blogger, please click on the side widget for more information. This huge hardback book is as the subtitle states "a comprehensive introduction to the religions of the world". From a Christian perspective, it introduces Beverley is a great resource for any Christian family to have on their bookshelves.

Nelson's Illustrated Guide to Religions: A Comprehensive Introduction to the Religions of the World

It is written by an Evangelical Christian scholar who has put together a comprehensive summary of each major religion, as well as a couple of newer religious movements. I have two teens and two pre-teens in my home. Do you have any idea how many different religions we interact with on a weekly basis? We live in respect for those we walk with, and expect that God will do His work, sometimes even through us. This means that we do our homework: Illustrated Guide to Religions - Great for the Family. When I saw this book listed at Thomas Nelson Publishers for review, I jumped at the chance to get a look at it first hand.

I've always wanted a reference to world religions Nelson's Illustrated Guide to Religions provides Good Guide Tom's Rating: An excellent resource Catherine's Rating: Informational and Interesting trisha's Rating: Christians must recognize the contradictions and ultimate disunity that exist among the religions of the world. The religions of the world often disagree on even basic points. Disciples of Jesus must recognize every significant point of agreement with people of other religions and even those of no faith.

There is no harm in recognizing the goodness and truth in non-Christian paths. Those who trust the gospel of Jesus must recognize the power of the dominant liberal perspective on religion and religious study. The acceptance of all religions as paths to God has grown and confidence in the Christian gospel has eroded. Christians must resist attempts to down play the supremacy of Jesus in making Christianity more acceptable. Those who trust in the Christian gospel must not forget the wrath of God that stands against the wickedness of a fallen world.

Christians must repent in sorrow for the ways in which we have not allowed the gospel to critique the church through the ages. Religion can be unbelief even among those who claim to follow Christ. A Christian response to religion must include respect for human liberty. The God Test 2. The Christological Test 3. The Biblical Test 4. The Love Test 5. The Spirit Test 6. The Freedom Test 7. The Psychological Test 8. The Prophetic Test Nelson's Illustrated Guide to Religions profiles more than religions, sects, and cults, some of which are not well known.

To some extent, each profile features historical information; timelines; photographs; side notes; leader profiles; key principles and beliefs; analysis and critique; opinions and commentary on controversial issues; and recommended resources. Jun 11, Dina ReviewTime rated it did not like it. Pros Nelson's Illustrated Guide to Religions covers more than religions, sects, and cults, most of which the reader might encounter in everyday life.


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The information for the most part is fairly presented, and his research is well organized, which is impressive. Features of this book include 1. Historical information on each of the major religions with detailed timeliness. Profiles of each group's primary leaders 3. An inventory of key principles and beliefs of each religion 4.

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An analysis and c Pros Nelson's Illustrated Guide to Religions covers more than religions, sects, and cults, most of which the reader might encounter in everyday life. An analysis and critique of religions from a Christian Perspective 5. Opinions and commentary on the controversial issues related to specific religious groups 6. Recommended resources- bibliographic information and extensive internet sources for further study 7. Ten tests for truth in religion- a set of multifaceted tests that Christians should apply when approaching the faith traditions of others and their own faith.

Many photos and side notes related to the religion being disgust Cons I would like to note that this book is written by one man, and contains his opinions based on his research, and world view. If your looking for a guide to world religions this book may or may not be for you. At the end of each chapter is the author's opinions ,and critique of each religion from an Evangelical view point. Writings based on opinion have a tendency to get away from the truth and become offensive.

The author at times presents himself as over judgmental, especially in regards to the Catholic Christian Faith. I was looking for a book based on factual information about world religions, not a book clouded by one man's opinions. The author does very well with his information, and research. Though I must point out at times his information seems to have a slightly judgmental tone. In the author's opinions and critique section he often contradicts his own research.

When one compares the Catholicism information section, to the author's opinions and critique section the result is very contradicting and condescending. The most offensive part of this section is the author's opinion on the pagan influence in Catholic Tradition. Beverley "Catholic traditions have often been mixed with pagan customs in ways that detract from the main teachings of the gospel" As a Catholic Christian and as someone who deeply loves the Lord Jesus I find this very offense.

All of the Catholic Traditions I am aware of, in one form or another directs one to Christ in a more intimate way. After seeing the author' negativity towards Catholicism and that certain views are altered by his opinions makes me question the validity of the rest of the book. Jun 09, Debbie rated it really liked it Shelves: This book is a good introduction to modern religions, but I was disappointed by how much critical information was left out in favor of less important information in my opinion.

Also, the organization wasn't consistently handled as to which religions were covered in which section and what information was focused on for each. However, the book was still very usable and useful. While the history of each religion was briefly covered, the focus was usually on when the important leaders lived and va This book is a good introduction to modern religions, but I was disappointed by how much critical information was left out in favor of less important information in my opinion.

While the history of each religion was briefly covered, the focus was usually on when the important leaders lived and various controversies occurred rather than the historical beliefs of the religion. The book generally focused on the shared beliefs of all the subgroups in each religion. However, sometimes beliefs unique to the largest subgroup were given as the beliefs of the majority of the religion. This may be technically true, but I felt it could be misleading when the book failed to note when a belief was only held by one subgroup. That said, the information given was generally fair and balanced, though definitely from a Protestant Christian viewpoint.

The Protestant section mainly covered how the various denominations came about, their defining beliefs, and any controversies surrounding them. The author clearly did a lot of research and tries to portray what the believers of the religion say about their own religion rather than what other religions say about it. The information given correlates with what practitioners have told me about their religions.

However, there were some sections, like that on Satanism, that were very disappointing. The Satanism entry focused mostly in debunking books written by people claiming to have been Satanists. When the author covered Satanic beliefs, he described four subgroups and then focused on the beliefs of the one subgroup though probably the largest that doesn't actually believe in Satan.


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    • Likewise, the witchcraft section really only described the beliefs of neo-pagans and Wiccans. It described historical witchcraft primarily in terms of contrast with modern Wicca and neo-pagan beliefs. The illustrations were nicely done, but not necessary. They were of religious leaders, religious buildings, book covers, etc. Overall, I felt the book was a good, fair introduction to the various modern religions in the world for those who know very little about them. However, if you've already done a lot of research into the various religions, books that focus in-depth on a single religion might be more useful to you.

    Feb 07, Tom added it Shelves: I have had this book for a while and have referenced it many times. This is no lightweight book but a detailed, thorough examination of the world's leading religions. The book is set up alphabetically to make it very easy to use and includes Baha'i to Witchcraft.

    Each chapter begins with a little bit about the religion then makes its way to a chronology that high I have had this book for a while and have referenced it many times. Each chapter begins with a little bit about the religion then makes its way to a chronology that highlights various important dates with either the religion itself or the "founder" or important members.

    Nelson's Illustrated Guide to Religions : James A. Beverley :

    Numerous chapters included extended information about the religion, how it compares to Christianity, points at which the author sees areas of dialogue between Christ-followers and those who choose to follow other religions. Also included is various splinter groups within or coming out of each religion, what they hold to and also a informative insert that gives websites and resources for further investigation into each religion or sect.

    I absolutely love this book. It is complete, well-researched, fair, balanced and unafraid to make strong statements and the author does this when he tells of some unfortunate events that have happened within his own religious path Protestantism. Many resources like this have come and gone but I believe Dr. Beverley's will be around for a long, long time.

    The chapters are not long or dry but made me, actually, want to read the book from start to finish in one sitting. Obviously that did not happen as the book is well over pages. The book, however, doesn't seem like a tome but given all the detailed information given it seems that when you have this book you have several well-documented encyclopedias in your library.

    And that is a beautiful point about this book: If you don't have this book You won't be disappointed. Given all the issues that are going on not only in our own country but in our world I am not there yet, but with this book I feel that I am on a better path of understanding and true dialogue. May 25, Keiki Hendrix rated it it was amazing Shelves: If you have ever pondered the differences between world religions, the 'Nelson's Illustrated Guide to Religions' by James A.

    Beverley is the resource you need. The term 'Religion' is defined as 'set of beliefs adhered to by a group of people'. In our contemporary society, religion is man's attempt to reach, organize, or please a god. This includes 'Christianity' as a religion, however, not all religions are counted in 'Christendom', which is the Christian church collectively.

    This is a reference w If you have ever pondered the differences between world religions, the 'Nelson's Illustrated Guide to Religions' by James A. This is a reference with a clear Christian view of all religions listing an initial overview, origins and key individuals with profiles , major events and headlines, and time lines and glossaries. Each chapter ends with a brief summary and lists groups that oppose that particular religion with reference to other research material both print and electronic should the reader want to pursue further research. There are 19 chapters which include: More information is included in the four Appendices that follow as well as an extensive index.

    None but Christianity view Jesus Christ as immaculately conceived, God incarnate, Creator of all things who offers the free gift of salvation and eternal life. This is a key resource for not only Pastors and Bible Teachers but for the lay people as well. Many people who claim a religious affiliation would do well to read the history of these religions in this book.

    If every member of every religion researched the history of their particular religion, these religions would have far fewer members. Highly recommended for reading and reference, we donated our copy of this book to our church library. Jul 07, Kipi rated it really liked it Shelves: The religious makeup of the world has always fascinated me.

    Why do different people believe what they believe? What were the beginnings of all these differing viewpoints? This book, Nelson's Illustrated Guide to Religions: Beverley Thomas Nelson, does a fairly good job of introducing the reader to the basics of the major faiths as well as those of the lesser known ones. The introduction to this book let's the reader kno The religious makeup of the world has always fascinated me. The introduction to this book let's the reader know that the author comes to his work from a Christian perspective and at the same time tries to present the facts of each of the different religions covered.