<< 1 >>
Rating: 
Summary: Mischaracterizations
Review: Good apologetics requires accuracy. Otherwise, the Christian reader addresses the wrong things, and will have no hearing. This book does not help Christians to properly understand the religions covered. The chapter on Baha'i is an example - it is not only inaccurate, it is in parts a caricature of Baha'i history and teachings. The Bab's title was not a claim to be a representative of the Mahdi, although many initially interpreted it that way. The Bab's proclamation to his first disciple was as the Gate of God (that is, a Divine Messenger). Corduan mischaracterizes Azal as the "prophet" the Bab promised, but Azal was appointed only as a leader of the Babi community until such time as the promised prophet appeared. Baha'u'llah was that promised one. Virtually the entire Babi community followed Baha'u'llah. The so-called "struggle for succession" is simply not what Corduan makes of it. The author's arguments about this "struggle," as well as the opposition to 'Abdu'l-Baha, could be turned around and pointed at Christianity as well if one wanted to look at the rebellion of Judas, the denial of Jesus by Peter, or the struggle between early disciples over the proper requirements for church membership. One must review the motives and spiritual outcomes to note whether the good tree brought forth good fruit.'Abdu'l-Baha did not proclaim himself the authorized interpreter of Baha'i scripture. Baha'u'llah designated 'Abdu'l- Baha such in clear language in his will and in his Most Holy Book. The author's insinuation of usurpation is insulting to Baha'is. The author makes the same mistake when he states that Shoghi Effendi "assumed leadership." 'Abdu'l-Baha appointed him Guardian of the Baha'i Faith in his will. To address 'Abdu'l-Baha as Abdul, and Shoghi Effendi as Shoghi, is not only disrespectful, but shows a woeful ignorance of Islamic names. The Universal House of Justice is not the "central shrine of Baha'i." The Universal House of Justice is the 9-member council that guides the Baha'i community at the international level. The Manifestations of God are not called "babs" in the Baha'i Faith. Baha'u'llah mentions more than nine such Messengers in his works. While Baha'u'llah's revelation is the culmination of the prophetic cycle gone before, he states that God's method of sending down revelations will continue. It is not "somewhat paradoxical" (as Corduan writes), nor simply "theoretically possible" that other Messengers of God will appear. Corduan totally de-emphasizes Baha'i personal spirituality, and states that Baha'is focus on social action. This faith requires of its members daily obligatory prayer, reading of scripture, meditation, an annual fast, personal study, and the teaching of their faith to others. To divorce personal spirituality from social action is, for Baha'is, to betray God's will. Both are necessary. Corduan criticizes the Baha'is for being inclusive, and then criticizes them for not being all-inclusive. What is included or not included is based upon the teaching of Baha'u'llah. This is the same principle that would apply for a Christian who weighs the world on the basis of the Bible, which is sometimes inclusive and sometimes not. Corduan should review the references to sin in the Baha'i scriptures (of which there are many) if he wishes to understand its approach to individual salvation. Both individual and social redemption go hand in hand for Baha'is. His dismissal of the Baha'i approach in favor of Christian individual redemption also dismisses a social action tradition in Christianity that is as much based upon biblical principle as the salvation of the individual. Corduan's use of W. M. Miller's anti-Baha'i polemical work in his bibliography suffices to indicate the author's intent, which is certainly not to provide an accurate picture for Christians so that they can engage in real dialogue. Any reader who follows this book will not communicate successfully with his Baha'i contacts. I do not recommend this book to Christians as an accurate or helpful way to learn about other religions.
Rating:
Summary: Mischaracterizations
Review: Good apologetics requires accuracy. Otherwise, the Christian reader addresses the wrong things, and will have no hearing. This book does not help Christians to properly understand the religions covered. The chapter on Baha'i is an example - it is not only inaccurate, it is in parts a caricature of Baha'i history and teachings. The Bab's title was not a claim to be a representative of the Mahdi, although many initially interpreted it that way. The Bab's proclamation to his first disciple was as the Gate of God (that is, a Divine Messenger). Corduan mischaracterizes Azal as the "prophet" the Bab promised, but Azal was appointed only as a leader of the Babi community until such time as the promised prophet appeared. Baha'u'llah was that promised one. Virtually the entire Babi community followed Baha'u'llah. The so-called "struggle for succession" is simply not what Corduan makes of it. The author's arguments about this "struggle," as well as the opposition to 'Abdu'l-Baha, could be turned around and pointed at Christianity as well if one wanted to look at the rebellion of Judas, the denial of Jesus by Peter, or the struggle between early disciples over the proper requirements for church membership. One must review the motives and spiritual outcomes to note whether the good tree brought forth good fruit. 'Abdu'l-Baha did not proclaim himself the authorized interpreter of Baha'i scripture. Baha'u'llah designated 'Abdu'l- Baha such in clear language in his will and in his Most Holy Book. The author's insinuation of usurpation is insulting to Baha'is. The author makes the same mistake when he states that Shoghi Effendi "assumed leadership." 'Abdu'l-Baha appointed him Guardian of the Baha'i Faith in his will. To address 'Abdu'l-Baha as Abdul, and Shoghi Effendi as Shoghi, is not only disrespectful, but shows a woeful ignorance of Islamic names. The Universal House of Justice is not the "central shrine of Baha'i." The Universal House of Justice is the 9-member council that guides the Baha'i community at the international level. The Manifestations of God are not called "babs" in the Baha'i Faith. Baha'u'llah mentions more than nine such Messengers in his works. While Baha'u'llah's revelation is the culmination of the prophetic cycle gone before, he states that God's method of sending down revelations will continue. It is not "somewhat paradoxical" (as Corduan writes), nor simply "theoretically possible" that other Messengers of God will appear. Corduan totally de-emphasizes Baha'i personal spirituality, and states that Baha'is focus on social action. This faith requires of its members daily obligatory prayer, reading of scripture, meditation, an annual fast, personal study, and the teaching of their faith to others. To divorce personal spirituality from social action is, for Baha'is, to betray God's will. Both are necessary. Corduan criticizes the Baha'is for being inclusive, and then criticizes them for not being all-inclusive. What is included or not included is based upon the teaching of Baha'u'llah. This is the same principle that would apply for a Christian who weighs the world on the basis of the Bible, which is sometimes inclusive and sometimes not. Corduan should review the references to sin in the Baha'i scriptures (of which there are many) if he wishes to understand its approach to individual salvation. Both individual and social redemption go hand in hand for Baha'is. His dismissal of the Baha'i approach in favor of Christian individual redemption also dismisses a social action tradition in Christianity that is as much based upon biblical principle as the salvation of the individual. Corduan's use of W. M. Miller's anti-Baha'i polemical work in his bibliography suffices to indicate the author's intent, which is certainly not to provide an accurate picture for Christians so that they can engage in real dialogue. Any reader who follows this book will not communicate successfully with his Baha'i contacts. I do not recommend this book to Christians as an accurate or helpful way to learn about other religions.
Rating: 
Summary: No misrepresentation
Review: Many Christian books directed against cults are often criticized (by the cult members) as misrepresenting their views. Actually, most Christians have exposed EXACTLY the things that are wrong with the cults, and the cults just would not admit it. I applaud the author for having written this excellent book against the cults. For more on logical reasoning, I recommend Vincent Cheung's "On Good and Evil" or Norman Geisler's "Come, Let Us Reason".
Rating:
Summary: Informative, Helpful, and Insightful
Review: This is a text book that examines World Religions in light of Christianity. Corduan is detailed in giving the historical setting, background, and current trends of the major world religions. He also describes how Christians can evangelize the various adherents in each of the world religions, what to avoid which might offend, etc. One of the better characteristics of this particular text is the fact that Corduan covers the native American religions as well as the Traditional religions (African). Something most texts do not cover. The other religions covered in the text are Islam, Hinduism, Chinese Popular Religions, Buddhism, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Shinto (Japanese religion), Jainism, Sikhism and Baha'i. Moreover, Corduan has a wonderful chapter that deals with the historical development of religion (it's origin), the meaning of religion, and a refutation of the evolutionary approach to religion. Corduan describes the concept of original monotheism and details how this is in direct contradiction to the weak but widely accepted evolutionary approach. Therefore, the book is written from an apologetic perspective but is quite detailed and thorough when dealing with the actual religions. Moreover, Corduan spends time in each chapter with each religion describing how the origins of the religion began with a single "high god." Therefore, eliminating the possibility of an evolutionary view of religion. It is quite interesting how the history of religion exhibits the concept of original monotheism ("the idea that all religions began with God - the Creator and Revealer." p.16) This is a wonderful text for Christians to own if for no other reason than the fact that we live in such a pluralistic world and Christian need to be equipped.
Rating:
Summary: Informative, Helpful, and Insightful
Review: This is a text book that examines World Religions in light of Christianity. Corduan is detailed in giving the historical setting, background, and current trends of the major world religions. He also describes how Christians can evangelize the various adherents in each of the world religions, what to avoid which might offend, etc. One of the better characteristics of this particular text is the fact that Corduan covers the native American religions as well as the Traditional religions (African). Something most texts do not cover. The other religions covered in the text are Islam, Hinduism, Chinese Popular Religions, Buddhism, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Shinto (Japanese religion), Jainism, Sikhism and Baha'i. Moreover, Corduan has a wonderful chapter that deals with the historical development of religion (it's origin), the meaning of religion, and a refutation of the evolutionary approach to religion. Corduan describes the concept of original monotheism and details how this is in direct contradiction to the weak but widely accepted evolutionary approach. Therefore, the book is written from an apologetic perspective but is quite detailed and thorough when dealing with the actual religions. Moreover, Corduan spends time in each chapter with each religion describing how the origins of the religion began with a single "high god." Therefore, eliminating the possibility of an evolutionary view of religion. It is quite interesting how the history of religion exhibits the concept of original monotheism ("the idea that all religions began with God - the Creator and Revealer." p.16) This is a wonderful text for Christians to own if for no other reason than the fact that we live in such a pluralistic world and Christian need to be equipped.
<< 1 >>
| 
