World Faiths – Review
We live in a world where it is essential for us to understand other religions. World religions are no longer across the ocean, they are across the street.
I read World Faiths by S.A. Nigosian. I read the second edition and I believe that this book has been replaced by World Religions: A Historical Approach. I can only speak of the edition I read and I don’t know what differences the new version has.
Overall it was a good introduction to world religions. What I liked was the emphasis on eastern religions, something I am less familiar with. He also includes ancient religions that are no longer practiced when they have been an influence on current religions.
As a Christian, I saw some problems with the chapter on Christianity. For example, his claim of the influence of the dying and rising gods is not generally held. While there are scholars that hold some of the views that he shared, it is a one side presentation. There are religion scholars that would have different interpetations.
I don’t know what, if any, faith that Nigosian holds. However, I thought there was almost an apologetic tone to the chapter on Islam. He was far less critical of Muhammad and the Qur’an than he was of Jesus and the Gospels.
Still, if you are looking for a general introduction to world faiths, this is a good place to start. Just realize that every author has their own bias. If you are interested in any specific religion, read some works by both insiders and outsiders.
Please note that links in this post are Amazon affiliate links.
