The Religions of the World and Their Relations to Christianity

This 1847 landmark text of comparative theology seeks the core principles of world religions, both present and past.

Frederick Denison Maurice (Author)

9781108007931, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 25 February 2010

284 pages
21.6 x 14 x 1.6 cm, 0.36 kg

The Religions of the World and Their Relations to Christianity (1847) derives from a series of eight lectures by the renowned theologian and political radical F. D. Maurice (1805–1872). They were given in a series established by Robert Boyle in 1691 as a stipulation of his will and intended 'for proving the Christian Religion against notorious Infidels'. Maurice both abides by and transforms this charge, examining 'the great Religious Systems … not going into their details … but enquiring what was their main characteristical principle.' In this important early work of comparative religious scholarship, Maurice investigates the theological foundations of the major world religions - Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Judaism - as well as what he calls the 'defunct' faiths of ancient Greek, Rome, Egypt, Persia and Scandinavia. The resulting text is a rich work of theological enquiry and a valuable testament to a central nineteenth-century religious thinker.

Part I: 1. Mahometanism
2. Hindooism
3. Buddhism
4. The defunct religions
Part II: 5. Relations of Mahometanism with Christianity
6. Relations of Hindooism with Christianity
7. Relations of Buddhism with Christianity
8. How Christianity assailed the defunct systems.

Subject Areas: Religion: general [HRA]