The book explores the biblical perspective on God's influence in history, highlighting the opposing forces at play, particularly within Christian communities, referred to as "principalities and powers." It offers insights on navigating life in the "last days" initiated by Jesus Christ, providing practical guidance for believers facing contemporary socio-cultural challenges.
The book explores secularization as a global process, particularly in the West, highlighting its dual perception as both limiting and liberating for religious thought and practice. It presents secularization as a methodology applicable to various aspects of life, notably science, allowing individuals to integrate faith into their reasoning and actions. This approach fosters debate and encourages continual improvement of thought, ultimately guiding readers toward a clearer understanding of faith and the divine relationship as depicted in the Bible.
The book offers an updated exploration of the dissemination of major world religions, specifically Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam, through a social scientific lens. This second edition enhances the original 2007 work by incorporating new material that enriches the analysis of how these faiths spread across different cultures and societies. It aims to provide a deeper understanding of the social dynamics influencing religious expansion and adaptation over time.
Focusing on the significance of Jesus Christ's self-identification as "the Son of Man," this book delves into the implications of this title for both Jesus and his followers. It explores how this name encapsulates human longing and the complexities of acceptance and resistance among believers throughout history. By examining Jesus' enduring call to follow him, the text invites readers to reflect on the transformative path found in his teachings, highlighting the profound impact he has had on millions over the centuries.
Of the major world religions, only three, Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam have diffused widely. They were introduced across numerous socio-cultural boundaries and were received as new religions to their converts. However, these diffusing religions have had varying degrees of success from wholesale reception to wholesale rejection. This book presents the perspective that a major factor in the variations in the diffusions of these religions, and in the religions themselves, is found in the nature of the inter-group relationships between receiving groups and both sending groups and surrounding groups. A crucial perception of the receivers is the perceived contribution the new religion will make to the enhancement of important aspects of group identities and of the strength of the group. This book takes into account diffusion, an old and persistent concept in the social sciences which has been rarely applied in sociology to religions or even ideologies.