The Reformation
Southwestern Journal of Theology
Volume 60, No. 1 – Fall 2017
Managing Editor: W. Madison Grace II
Introducing World Religions: A Christian Engagement. By Charles E. Farhadian. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2015. 600 pages. Hardcover, $49.99.
This introductory work is a charitable interaction with the world’s major faiths from a distinctly Christian perspective. Engaging with a variety of religions, Charles E. Farhadian orients the reader to the basic elements, history, practices, and contemporary makeup of individual faith groups around the globe. Furthermore, this engagement proves to be generous and accommodating to each belief system. While maintaining a commitment to his own faith convictions, Farhadian avoids insensitive conclusions regarding other worldviews.
Acknowledging that these faiths may contain some general revelation, Farhadian is quick to see various qualities in these faiths that contain truth. For example, he sees the Sikh view of God as laudable in that it views the divine as incomprehensible, a profound mystery that no one can fully comprehend. While acknowledging the view’s strengths, he is also quick to provide a Christian corrective to this view, asserting that although God is in some sense incomprehensible, God “can be known, even in mystery, because God stooped into earthly time and space to reveal himself ” (245). In this respect, Farhadian strikes a helpful balance between a sympathetic consideration of others’ beliefs and a personal commitment to a Christian worldview.
Farhadian’s work includes a plethora of pictures, tables, charts, and sidebars. While this feature certainly makes for a busy page, it does not overly distract the reader. This is due in large part to the careful selection of images, organization and placement of said graphics, and spacing considerations, which makes for a visually appealing display.
In chapter 1, Farhadian outlines his categories for religion, defines what constitutes a religion, surveys various religious contexts, and discusses various theories of religion. Conscious of the difficulties that face a broad study of world religions, Farhadian directs his book toward a Christian readership. Furthermore, he aims towards a “sympathetic approach to learning about the major religious traditions of the world while being committed to the Christian faith” (54). Farhadian reiterates that his engagement comes from a distinctly Christian perspective. His tone further maintains a commitment to a set of propositional truths, yet it is done in such a way that shows respect and sensitivity to other faith commitments.
Here, Farhadian introduces a four-pronged approach in which he will evaluate each major religion. His assessments include a context with includes psychological, cultural, social, and historical features. This style makes for a helpful analysis as it is able to capture the major dimensions of a religion.
In chapters 2 through 6, Farhadian looks at what are the traditional religions of the East—Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Taoism, and Confucianism. Quite obviously, this section produces the bulk of information that will be unfamiliar to the average western reader. This section proves to be particularly insightful as it highlights major aspects of the religion and its history, identifies key terms, and details its implications for Christians.
Chapters 7 through 9 look at the religions of the West—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The religions share a commitment to monotheism that all claim roots from Abraham. This section will probably be the most familiar to the Western reader, yet it proves to be informative to see each as a major religion, subject to the same analysis as the other world faiths. Seeing these familiar religions within a broader context, and evaluated by the same standards as others will shed new light on its subjects.
In his final chapter, Farhadian looks at new religious movements. This section mainly includes offshoots of the Christian faith such as Mormonism, Jehovah’s Witness, Christian Science, and Seventh-Day Adventism.
One of the most curious features of this book is its decision to devote a disproportionate amount of attention to Jainism as a major world faith. This is probably due in large part to its unfamiliarity to a common Western reader. However, Farhadian devotes more space to Jainism than he does Sikhism. Jainism accounts for a mere six million adherents worldwide, whereas Sikhism represents a massive twenty-five million. Similarly, Farhadian relegates Mormonism to a small category in his final chapter of new religions. While commanding fourteen million members, only ten full pages are given to the Mormons. Farhadian briefly defends his decision, suggesting that Jainism has proved to have a great impact on the world despite its relatively small numbers. This may be true; however, the impact does not eclipse that of the aforementioned groups. One would like to see a more equitable representation of these religions, in relation to its number of worldwide members.
Quite obviously, this work is geared towards an informed readership in the West. Farhadian does a good job accounting for his audience. There are frequent relational points that make for an attractive style and easy comprehension. The glossary in the back is one helpful feature. Teachers and professors looking for an engaging textbook would do well to consider this book, as it may prove to be the new standard in seminaries, Bible colleges, and divinity schools. This welcomed addition to the field will prove to be helpful for pastors, missionaries, church leaders, and college and seminary students.
