The Quest of World Religions

Featuring chapters written by scholars within their own disciplines, as well as carefully curated selections from key religious texts, The Quest of World Religions: An Introduction and Anthology provides readers with an illuminating overview of global faith systems. The text also urges readers to approach this study as seekers, those engaging their own selves in a quest for authentic spirituality and truth.

In the introductory chapter, volume editor John A. Studebaker describes world religions as having a common theme, found in the Latin religio (“reconnection”). Each religion seeks to reconnect their devotee to God, the gods, or the supernatural. The editor also provides helpful practices for respecting others while fostering a quest for truth.

The text features four units, which survey Western, Eastern, tribal, and secular religions. In Unit I, readers learn about Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In Unit II, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism are discussed. In Units III and IV, readers engage with African traditional religion, Native American spirituality, and secular religions. Each chapter begins with a brief historical overview of a religion, traces its essential story (that culminates in “reconnection”), and concludes with a creative CODA, a comparison and contrast with Christianity (a system with which many students will be familiar).

Featuring personal reflections, well-researched chapters, and a unique approach, The Quest of World Religions is an excellent resource for courses and programs in world religions and theology as well as for personal study.