Religious fundamentalism Books

Book SynopsisIn Reasoning with God renowned Islamic scholar Khaled Abou El Fadl explores the role of Shariâah in todayâs world, for both Muslims and non-Muslims. After a Prologue that explains Shariâah in depth, Abou El Fadl wrestles with the moral trajectory of contemporary Islam and highlights the way Shariâah can revitalize and re-engage Islam today.Trade ReviewIslamic law is widely viewed in the West as synonymous with Nazi law; it cannot be reformed or redeemed. In Reasoning with God, Khaled Abou El Fadl demonstrates not only how distorted this perception is but also how bigoted it can be as well. Part memoir, part scholarly analysis, and part message to the perplexed, this book is essential reading for anyone interested in the relationship between Islam, Muslims, and modernity. The common leitmotif that runs throughout this volume is Abou El Fadl’s unwavering ethical orientation. His survey and critique of the good, the bad, and the ugly within Muslim societies and his prognosis for the future of Islam is both persuasive and morally compelling. -- Nader Hashemi, University of DenverThis book is a personal intellectual journey of a knowledgeable mind. Khaled Abou El Fadl calls for a new methodology in dealing with both the scriptural sources and the world. A much-needed voice, constructively critical and full of hope. -- Tariq Ramadan, University of OxfordSeldom have courage and vulnerability combined with erudition in as riveting a fashion as displayed in this book. Abou El Fadl is exacting without being abstruse, passionate but never loud. There is much to be debated in this highly informative, critically argued text. And one can only delight in the thought of how much learning and inspiration will come to those who engage it. -- Sherman A. Jackson, King Faisal Chair of Islamic Thought and Culture; director, Center for Islamic Thought, Culture, and Practice; professor of Religion and American Studies and Ethnicity, University of Southern CaliforniaIn this important new book, Khaled Abou El Fadl solidifies his well-earned reputation as a leading scholar and public voice on Islam by undertaking a bold and thorough exploration of the role of Islamic law and theology in the modern age. The author firmly situates Islam in the modern world and asks piercing questions about what it means to be Muslim. He stakes out a theological path to ‘reclaim Shari'ah’ by drawing on deep historical knowledge and cross-cultural training, making this a fascinating read regardless of one's personal religious beliefs. -- Joel A. Nichols, University of St. Thomas School of Law

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Book SynopsisPerfect for anyone looking for a new way to experience the revered KJV. This edition is published in large KJV Comfort Print type, which was designed exclusively for Thomas Nelson to be the most readable at any size.The KJV Paragraph-style Large Print Thinline Bible features the timeless beauty of the trustworthy King James Version Bible. While the traditional design of the King James text starts each verse on its own line, this edition improves the reading experience and comprehension by keeping the writers’ thoughts together in paragraph format. And with Thomas Nelson’s exclusive KJV Comfort Print®, you’ll enjoy typography designed to be exceptionally easy-to-read and honoring the legacy of the King James Version.In 1611 the King James Bible was published and authorized by the monarch of England and Scotland. Today, more than 400 years since its initial publication, the KJV is consi

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Book SynopsisToday new and ever more pernicious forms of terrorist violence threaten the world. Because these new forms of violence are so often linked to religious radicalism, modern terrorism has challenged the secular ethics of contemporary civil society. There is a pressing need to understand modern religious movements that have added militancy and belligerence as fundamental elements of religious practice. Contributors to this volume painstakingly tackle the question of how to define the contours of current religious fundamentalism as they examine the private and public postures of fundamentalist rhetoric, the importance of its regional variants, and the damage it can do to regional and national education systems. Their analysis tracks trends in religious movements that aspire to radicalize, reform, and violently topple governments and nations, while highlighting the difference between fundamentalist interpretations and other longstanding juridical, political, and intellectual traditions.Trade ReviewSantosh Saha's scholarly book provides a cogent and a brilliant in-depth analysis of socio-political issues in the context of religious fundamentalism from fresh angles. It's a must reading for general and well-informed readership. -- B. M. Jain, University of Rajasthan, IndiaThis volume will make the reader sit up and pay attention. It gives due weight to the world-changing potential of religious fundamentalism, as a force as powerful as Marxism was in the twentieth-century. It pays scholarly regard to the diversity of fundamentalism in different religious and regional settings. And it delves into a matter calling out for our attention: the effect of fundamentalism on education. The context for its discussions is the world since September 11, 2001. The blend of scholarship and political urgency renders this volume both a valuable resource and a call to responsible action. -- Revd Dr. Harriet A. Harris, Wadham College, OxfordThe hatred and darkness being spread in the name of religious fundamentalism certainly needs to be studied and exposed. This well-written, well-organized, well-argued, and well-referenced work is a giant step in the right direction. -- Robert Lawless, Wichita State UniversityThe book, carefully written by a galaxy of authors with first-hand experience, is well-documented and comprehensive in its goal. * Missiology: An International Review *This collection represents a pluralist approach to religious fundamentalism. No definitional order is imposed and a variety of theories are expounded. All the author are engaged analytically in the attempt to identify and to comprehend the many faces of fundamentalist ideology in our contemporary world. There are ten chapters by authors representing a broad range of academic disciplines. * International Third World Studies Journal and Review *Table of ContentsPart 1 Approaches to Fundamentalisms Chapter 2 Religious Fundamentalism and its "other:" Snapshot View from the Global Information Order Chapter 3 Some Priority Variables in the Study of Comparative Religious Politics Chapter 4 Fundamentalist Ideology, Institutions, and the State: A Formal Analysis Chapter 5 Religions Between Universal and Particular: Eastern Europe After 1989 Part 6 Regional Fundamentalisms Chapter 7 Phases of Political Islam Chapter 8 Contesting Historiographies in South Asia: The Islamization of Pakistani Social Studies Textbooks Chapter 9 Hindu Revivalist Cultural Policies and Programs in India: A Critique Chapter 10 Perceiving Islam: The Cause and Consequences of Islamophobia in Western Media Chapter 11 Democracy v. Fundamentalism: Religious Politics of the Bharatiya Janata Party in India Chapter 12 Ethnicity and Religion in Israeli Politics: Emergence of the Shas Party

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Book SynopsisMystical Science and Practical Religion examines the religious discourse employed by Muslim, Hindu, and Sikh applied science professionals and students, mainly engineers and Information Technology (IT) workers. Although applied scientists, especially immigrants to the United States, have shown high rates of religiosity, there have been few studies of this subject. Based on interviews with forty-five professionals and students, Cimino finds that although they are from different faiths, these applied scientists share a common discourse that blends religion and science. They each view their religions as the most scientific. Their work and study reshapes how they practice and conceptualize their faiths, though not in the expected directions of secularization and fundamentalism. This book provides a unique look at how the much contested fields of science and religion interact in real life.Trade ReviewThe biggest contribution of this book is to undermine the notion that there is some abstract science and-religion relationship at all. . . .As an illuminating account of the lived experience of religion and science among an understudied population, this book would be a useful and even necessary addition to a university library. * American Journal of Sociology *Sociologists, philosophers, and scientists themselves have struggled with the idea that science is ‘value free’ in its practice yet ‘value laden’ in its effects. Scientists who are also religious believers, it seems, have much less difficulty with this idea because they apply a conceptual framework that circumscribes the value of science for their own lives and for the meaning of life more generally. The striking feature of Richard Cimino’s book is its focus on non-Christian religious scientists, whose faith positions incline them toward mysticism but in ways that only serve to enrich their scientific practice. The book is a welcome corrective to the false science-religion divisions that permeate both popular and academic culture today. -- Steve Fuller, Auguste Comte Chair in Social Epistemology, University of Warwick, author of The IntellectualMystical Science and Practical Religion is well written, provocative, and informative. Cimino’s style is clear and not overly didactic. He analyzes and argues against Weber’s secularization thesis that the increase of science and technology will be deleterious to religion. The book will appeal to specialists in religion and science studies, as well as those interested in the sociology of minority religions in the United States. -- John Caiazza, Rivier UniversityScience and religion have a corrosive relationship, or at least that is a common assumption. Richard Cimino’s research radically disrupts that taken-for-granted assumption. Through in-depth interviews with migrant engineers and IT professionals from three religious traditions, he shows how there is no conflict between religion, applied science, and “the spirit of pragmatism.” While there were cultural differences between Hindu, Muslim and Sikh scientists, the new knowledge class shared a pan-religious-scientific discourse. At the same time, these educated global citizens are transforming their religious traditions in the direction of American religiosity with its emphasis on individualism, spirituality, and practical relevance. Applied scientists thus become the conduits between religious traditions and the host society producing a complex blend between religious orthodoxy and American culture. Cimino provides a valuable contribution to the modern sociology of religion. -- Bryan S. Turner, The City University of New YorkTable of ContentsIntroduction Chapter 1: American Muslim Applied Science Professionals and the Spirit of Pragmatism Chapter 2: Rationalized Hinduism and Mystical Science Chapter 3: Sikhism, Science, and the Ethic of Prosperity Chapter 4: A Shared Religion-Science Discourse Conclusion

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Book SynopsisTrade Review[Hankins] draws from the best secondary sources to explicate the evangelical intersection with theological liberalism and the beginnings of fundamentalism. . . . Recommended. * CHOICE *In this informed, sympathetic, and critical book, Barry Hankins combats our culture's ongoing tendency to reduce evangelicals to unquestioning devotees of the religious Right, revealing them instead to be part of a movement with a rich and varied history. The book judiciously summarizes the major scholarship from the past generation, filtering it for an audience of nonspecialists. Hankins' book is one of the best and most accessible introductions to the history of American evangelicalism available for undergraduate courses. -- Kurt Peterson * Journal of American History *Most [evangelical studies] focus on doctrinal or theological standards . . . and the evolving definitional and identity crisis. Barry Hankins's American Evangelicals breaks in some ways with this pattern, offering instead a more historical approach to evangelical Christianity within the United States. . . . Hankins supports his claims quite well by drawing on evangelical biographies, regional studies, and numerous secondary works in the field of American evangelicalism. . . . Hankins affords rich insights into the diversity and complexity within the evangelical subculture as a whole, giving some attention to the ways in which fundamentalists and evangelicals critique each other. . . . Hankins writes well and has a strong grasp of the many issues and problems as they have unfolded in the history of American evangelicalism. The book has something to offer those who have little knowledge of evangelical Christianity, and it is most suitable for undergraduate courses on the subject and for ordinary persons in churches. It serves quite well as an introduction to the history of American evangelicalism. * Church History: Studies in Christianity and Culture *Those who wish to gain a better picture of evangelical presence in American culture would do well to at least browse the book. * Stone-Campbell International *Historically informed, well balanced, and richly detailed, this book is an essential guide to American evangelicals' cultural and political concerns. Hankins goes beyond the headlines of the contemporary culture wars to explain what evangelicals really believe and practice. -- Daniel K. Williams, University of West GeorgiaHankins has a way of turning movements into readable stories; this storytelling ability is what makes this book enjoyable. * Journal of Church and State *Table of ContentsPreface Introduction: Awakenings and the Beginning of American Evangelicalism Chapter 1: The Struggle with Modernism: Origins of the Culture Wars Chapter 2: Battling with Science: From Anti-Evolution to the Intelligent Design Chapter 3: Millennialism: Folk Religion and the Career of End-Times Prophecy Chapter 4: Considering Equality: The Tradition of Gender, Race, and Gay Rights Chapter 5: Inspired Politics: Evangelical Religion in the Political Marketplace Chapter 6: Back to the Academy: Evangelical Scholars and the American Mind Conclusion Bibliography

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewEl Fadl attempts to offer interpretations that are humanistic and accommodating to modern values, yet simultaneously challenging for traditionalist scholars and preachers. -- An-Chi Hoh Dianu * The Library Quarterly *This highly original book is in part a dialogue with Muslim scholars in the past, and, in part, a hymn to an enthralling vision that 'beauty' is to bring life to the truth of the Prophet. The dialogue shows the enormous breadth of [the author's] reading in classic works of learning by Muslims, and his vision suggests a new spiritual esthetic, which is both inspiring and challenging. -- Roy Parviz Mottahedeh, Gurney Professor of History, Harvard UniversityKhaled Abou El Fadl is emerging as a major Muslim voice for the twenty-first century. Conference of the Books is an excellent introduction to the ideas, insights, and reflections of this important scholar of Islam and Islamic law, author, and poet. -- John L. Esposito, Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding, Georgetown UniversityDr. Khaled Abou El Fadl, the most important scholar writing on Islamic jurisprudence and its development in the American context today, sets a high standard here for legal discourse and practice among North American Muslims. -- Karen Leonard, Professor of Anthropology, University of California, IrvineEach independent essay may be read in any order, but collectively they illustrate richness and diversity. -- Charles C. Kolb, National Endowment for the Humanities, Religious Studies Review

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Book SynopsisTo Make the Earth Whole studies the art of citizen diplomacya process that can address clashes of religion and culture across regional lines even when traditional negotiations between governments can fail. While faith and regional differences have been sources of division around the world in recent decades, millions of citizens are also creating bonds of friendship and collaboration that are forming the basis of a global community. Drawing on the experiences gleaned from years practicing citizen diplomacy in some of the world''s most politically charged climates, scholar-practitioner of conflict resolution and rabbi Marc Gopin describes his work in Syria as a central case study of the book. The author outlines the strategic basis for creating community across lines of enmity, the social network theory to explain how this happens, and the long term vision required for a progressive but inclusive global community that respects religious communities even as it limits their coercive power over others. This powerful and practical book outlines an incremental and evolutionary strategy of positive change that stands a strong chance of success, even in today''s most conservative and repressive religious and political contexts. To Make the Earth Whole also examines the ethical challenges of citizen diplomacy from the perspectives of both Western and Eastern philosophies and religions. The world''s wisdom traditions are essential in devising a way for citizens to develop the foundations for global community.Trade ReviewMarc Gopin—a veteran and seasoned practitioner of citizen diplomacy—has written an important book, that reminds policymakers and non-policymakers alike of the critical role that ordinary people can and do play in helping to resolve conflicts. By setting in motion, in his words, a 'constellation of relationships, cultural gestures and communications', citizen diplomats literally can bring walls of mistrust and hatred tumbling down. Gopin's book focuses on the most challenging arena of all, religious militancy, and brings forth lessons learned that are well worth assimilating in our current diplomacy. -- Daniel Kurtzer, Woodrow Wilson School, Princeton University; former U.S. ambassador to Egypt and IsraelRabbi Marc Gopin heartens peacemakers by showing how relationships forged across the fault lines of religion emphasize faith's power to be part of the solution when it is part of the problem, and create bonds of hope against the divisive demon of despair. -- Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, American Society for Muslim AdvancementWhen Mark Gopin, a peacemaker and a rabbi, found himself speaking to 3,000 congregants at the great mosque in Aleppo with the Grand Mufti of Syria by his side, he knew that something very special was happening. To Make the Earth Whole is a profoundly moving and gripping account of one man's attempt to practice citizen diplomacy in an unlikely and dangerous environment. More than that, it is a brilliant brief for peacemaking by inspired practitioners able to heal shattered relationships by building new social and spiritual networks. Gopin's tone is wise and personal: the voice of a modern sage. His book makes one understand that there is no real conflict between worldly realism and radical hope. -- Richard E. Rubenstein, Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution, George Mason UniversityGopin's effort to bring his religious work into conflict resolution makes an interesting read. . . . Recommended. * CHOICE, March 2010 *To say this is a case-study of 'citizen diplomacy'—itself a far too bland description of what is going on here—is to miss the other virtues of this work. It is at once a study of the role in militant religion in intractable conflicts, a look inside the complexity of contemporary Syria and Syrian-U.S. and Israeli relations, a primer on social network theory, a sophisticated discussion of the ethics of third parties who are outsiders to other peoples' deadly conflicts and, like so much of Gopin's work, a deeply felt account of his life's journey in peacemaking and peacebuilding. Margaret Mead once wrote, 'Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.' In describing his own efforts and those of a remarkable group of individuals in the Middle East and elsewhere, Marc Gopin has written a book that shows both the truth of that statement and offers insight into how it is done. -- Kevin Avruch, George Mason UniversityThis is a case study in citizen diplomacy, defined as the attempt by private citizens to develop relationships with people in countries that are hostile toward one's own country.....It can in time help to humanize an enemy. Gopin writes out his own five-year experiment in bridge building with religious extremists in Syria. * The Christian Century *Table of ContentsChapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 Foundations of a Global Community through Citizen Diplomacy Chapter 3 The State of Religion, Conflict, and Peace: Strategic Foundations for Building Community in a Militant Time Chapter 4 Religious Power and the Future of Global Society Chapter 5 Networks that Build a Peaceful Future: A New Approach to Incremental Change Chapter 6 Citizen Diplomacy and Incremental Change: A New Approach to Peacemaking Chapter 7 On the Road between Damascus and Jerusalem: A Case Study of Citizen Diplomacy Chapter 8 Syria 2006-2008: The Transformation of a Relationship Chapter 9 Diplomacy with a Conscience: The Search for Wisdom in Global Engagement Chapter 10 Confronting Ethical Dilemmas of Citizen Diplomacy Chapter 11 Insights from the World's Cultures and Religions on Building Diplomacy Chapter 12 Conclusions about our Future Chapter 13 The Future in our Hands: Citizens Building a Social Contract Across Civilizations

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewMarc Gopin—a veteran and seasoned practitioner of citizen diplomacy—has written an important book, that reminds policymakers and non-policymakers alike of the critical role that ordinary people can and do play in helping to resolve conflicts. By setting in motion, in his words, a 'constellation of relationships, cultural gestures and communications', citizen diplomats literally can bring walls of mistrust and hatred tumbling down. Gopin's book focuses on the most challenging arena of all, religious militancy, and brings forth lessons learned that are well worth assimilating in our current diplomacy. -- Daniel Kurtzer, Woodrow Wilson School, Princeton University; former U.S. ambassador to Egypt and IsraelRabbi Marc Gopin heartens peacemakers by showing how relationships forged across the fault lines of religion emphasize faith's power to be part of the solution when it is part of the problem, and create bonds of hope against the divisive demon of despair. -- Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, American Society for Muslim AdvancementWhen Mark Gopin, a peacemaker and a rabbi, found himself speaking to 3,000 congregants at the great mosque in Aleppo with the Grand Mufti of Syria by his side, he knew that something very special was happening. To Make the Earth Whole is a profoundly moving and gripping account of one man's attempt to practice citizen diplomacy in an unlikely and dangerous environment. More than that, it is a brilliant brief for peacemaking by inspired practitioners able to heal shattered relationships by building new social and spiritual networks. Gopin's tone is wise and personal: the voice of a modern sage. His book makes one understand that there is no real conflict between worldly realism and radical hope. -- Richard E. Rubenstein, Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution, George Mason UniversityGopin's effort to bring his religious work into conflict resolution makes an interesting read. . . . Recommended. * CHOICE, March 2010 *To say this is a case-study of 'citizen diplomacy'—itself a far too bland description of what is going on here—is to miss the other virtues of this work. It is at once a study of the role in militant religion in intractable conflicts, a look inside the complexity of contemporary Syria and Syrian-U.S. and Israeli relations, a primer on social network theory, a sophisticated discussion of the ethics of third parties who are outsiders to other peoples' deadly conflicts and, like so much of Gopin's work, a deeply felt account of his life's journey in peacemaking and peacebuilding. Margaret Mead once wrote, 'Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.' In describing his own efforts and those of a remarkable group of individuals in the Middle East and elsewhere, Marc Gopin has written a book that shows both the truth of that statement and offers insight into how it is done. -- Kevin Avruch, George Mason UniversityThis is a case study in citizen diplomacy, defined as the attempt by private citizens to develop relationships with people in countries that are hostile toward one's own country.....It can in time help to humanize an enemy. Gopin writes out his own five-year experiment in bridge building with religious extremists in Syria. * The Christian Century *Table of ContentsChapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 Foundations of a Global Community through Citizen Diplomacy Chapter 3 The State of Religion, Conflict, and Peace: Strategic Foundations for Building Community in a Militant Time Chapter 4 Religious Power and the Future of Global Society Chapter 5 Networks that Build a Peaceful Future: A New Approach to Incremental Change Chapter 6 Citizen Diplomacy and Incremental Change: A New Approach to Peacemaking Chapter 7 On the Road between Damascus and Jerusalem: A Case Study of Citizen Diplomacy Chapter 8 Syria 2006-2008: The Transformation of a Relationship Chapter 9 Diplomacy with a Conscience: The Search for Wisdom in Global Engagement Chapter 10 Confronting Ethical Dilemmas of Citizen Diplomacy Chapter 11 Insights from the World's Cultures and Religions on Building Diplomacy Chapter 12 Conclusions about our Future Chapter 13 The Future in our Hands: Citizens Building a Social Contract Across Civilizations

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewPraise for the first edition: A reflective, critical approach to the charged, often abused, but seldom understood concept of fundamentalism, Understanding Fundamentalism lives up to its title. Its broad scope encompasses Jewish, Christian and Muslim fundamentalist movements, while its fine-grained analysis clarifies scripture and myth, colonial and postcolonial history, the roles of women as well as men, illuminating the much-neglected adaptive capacity of fundamentalists. Indeed, the twin concepts of controlled acculturation and selective modernization etch the major theoretical advance of this compact study—at once original and eloquent—of those zealous Abrahamic ideologues popularly known as religious fundamentalists... -- Bruce Lawrence, Duke UniversityPraise for the first edition: Antoun's book is an important contribution to the knowledge of a major aspect of the modern world. It explains the religious aspects of terrorism and the mechanisms that create and nurture religious extremism. It is a useful resource for all who are involved or interested in religion, contributing a serious and balanced approach to our understanding of fundamentalism.... * Seminary Studies *Praise for the first edition: This book issues from Antoun's firsthand observation of cultural change and religious reaction. A superb addition to the growing interdisciplinary canon of fundamentalism studies, the work argues for the cross-cultural application of the category and the transnational scope of the phenomenon.... Anyone seeking to understand the global phenomenon of fundamentalism will profit from this well-written book.... -- Peter A. Huff, Centenary College of Louisiana * International Journal on World Peace *Praise for the first edition: The author's theoretical and conceptual approach to the topic is sound, the analysis crisp and concise, the illustrations insightfully chosen..... * Middle East Quarterly *Praise for the first edition: This book's strength lies in its analytical and written clarity. Antoun makes a complex subject readable and accessible and, by the end of the book, readers have a better understanding of the motives and worldview of thosewho, for example, feel moved to commit acts of violence and terrorism in religion's name. He has achieved one of anthropology's methodological goals: empathizing with fundamentalist worldviews without being sympathetic.... It is likely to be a valuable addition to the libraries of established academics, as well as of undergraduate students, and deserves to be widely read and appreciated both within and outside the academyyy -- Sophie Gilliat-Ray, Cardiff University, Wales * American Journal of Islamic Social Studies *Praise for the first edition: Antoun's book is an important contribution to the knowledge of a major aspect of the modern world. It explains the religious aspects of terrorism and the mechanisms that create and nurture religious extremism. It is a useful resource for all who are involved or interested in religion, contributing a serious and balanced approach to our understanding of fundamentalism. * Seminary Studies *Praise for the first edition: A useful introduction to a complex and hotly debated subject. The book is clear, has an easy flowing style, and is enhanced further by a succinct conclusion and glossary of terms. * Peace & Change *Praise for the first edition: This book issues from Antoun's firsthand observation of cultural change and religious reaction. A superb addition to the growing interdisciplinary canon of fundamentalism studies, the work argues for the cross-cultural application of the category and the transnational scope of the phenomenon.... Anyone seeking to understand the global phenomenon of fundamentalism will profit from this well-written book. -- Peter A. Huff, Centenary College of Louisiana * International Journal on World Peace *Praise for the first edition: The author's theoretical and conceptual approach to the topic is sound, the analysis crisp and concise, the illustrations insightfully chosen. * Middle East Quarterly *Praise for the first edition: This book's strength lies in its analytical and written clarity. Antoun makes a complex subject readable and accessible and, by the end of the book, readers have a better understanding of the motives and worldview of those who, for example, feel moved to commit acts of violence and terrorism in religion's name. He has achieved one of anthropology's methodological goals: empathizing with fundamentalist worldviews without being sympathetic.... It is likely to be a valuable addition to the libraries of established academics, as well as of undergraduate students, and deserves to be widely read and appreciated both within and outside the academy -- Sophie Gilliat-Ray, Cardiff University, Wales * American Journal of Islamic Social Studies *Praise for the first edition: [Antoun's] presentation of Islamic and American Protestant reactions to modernization and reinstituting the sacred is well-nuanced and well-balanced. -- P.L. Redditt, Georgetown College * CHOICE *Praise for the first edition: A reflective, critical approach to the charged, often abused, but seldom understood concept of fundamentalism, Understanding Fundamentalism lives up to its title. Its broad scope encompasses Jewish, Christian and Muslim fundamentalist movements, while its fine-grained analysis clarifies scripture and myth, colonial and postcolonial history, the roles of women as well as men, illuminating the much-neglected adaptive capacity of fundamentalists. Indeed, the twin concepts of controlled acculturation and selective modernization etch the major theoretical advance of this compact study—at once original and eloquent—of those zealous Abrahamic ideologues popularly known as religious fundamentalists. -- Bruce Lawrence, Duke UniversityRichard Antoun outlines in accessible language central conceptual features of religious fundamentalism. His informed perspective, free from unnecessary polemicism, provides needed pathways in understanding the complexity of this new global religious phenomenon. His book is a must-read for anyone who wants to participate in the public debate about fundamentalists around the globe. I have assigned it repeatedly to my students in religious studies to set the tone and direction for the entire semester. -- Bjorn Krondorfer, St. Mary's College of MarylandRichard Antoun dynamically explains the complexities of religious fundamentalism. Antoun integrates research and theory from diverse disciplines and constructs a critically insightful analysis. It is the best comprehensive treatment of the subject available, and one of the few to seriously consider the emotional hold that fundamentalism exerts on people in many different religions. In my course, the Sociology of Religion, I use a focused text for each of four substantive areas, and Antoun's Understanding Fundamentalism is easily the best in its area. Students read it willingly, and it covers all the major issues with full academic rigor and still maintains accessibility. -- George Lundskow, Grand Valley State UniversityAs the need to understand fundamentalism in Judaism, Christianity and Islam grows ever more urgent, Understanding Fundamentalism provides an eminently readable, full and compelling introduction. The new chapter for this edition on the transnational aspects of fundamentalism is very relevant to a phenomenon that is now threateningly global. The unit on Osama Bin Laden, Al-Qaida and violence is powerful and chilling. Antoun supports his careful and restrained analysis with a wealth of examples that often put personal faces on fundamentalism, its adherents and its complexities. -- John Barclay Burns, George Mason UniversityUnderstanding Fundamentalism provides a well-organized theoretical exploration of fundamentalism in the modern world. Scholars of fundamentalism could gain many analytical tools from the seven attributes that Antoun elucidates. A significant contribution to the contemporary discussions around fundamentalist religious groups. -- Amarnath Amarasingam, author of Pain, Pride, and Politics: Social Movement Activism and the Sri Lankan Tamil Diaspora in Canada * Contemporary Islam, May 16, 2009 *[It] provides a well-organized theoretical exploration of fundamentalism in the modern world. The book provides several theoretical tools for cross cultural analysis and applies these tools through the exploration of numerous case studies around the world. Scholars of fundamentalism could gain much analytical tools from the seven attributes that Antoun elucidates.… Understanding Fundamentalism is a significant contribution to the contemporary discussions around the fundamentalist religious groups. * Springer Science + Business Media *Table of ContentsChapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 The Complexity of Scripturalism Chapter 3 The Past in the Present: "Traditioning", the Proof-text, and the Covenant Chapter 4 Three Strategies in the Quest for Purity Chapter 5 Activism and Totalism Chapter 6 Selective Modernization and Controlled Acculturation Chapter 7 Transnational Religion Before and After 9/11: Muslims in Western Europe and Afghanistan Chapter 8 Glossary Chapter 9 Suggestions for Further Reading

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Book SynopsisThe second edition of Understanding Fundamentalism provides a compelling and up to date picture of religious reactions against the modern secular world. Comparing Christian, Islamic, and Jewish fundamentalist movements, anthropologist Richard Antoun shows how all three share common characteristics. In each tradition, fundamentalists seek purity in an impure world, attempt to make the ancient past relevant to their contemporary situation, look to move religion out of the worship center and into every aspect of life, and actively struggle against the aspects of the modern world they regard as evil. The new edition addresses fundamentalism in the post-9/11 world, transnational religion, and the impact of religious migration on Afghanistan and Western Europe. A glossary and Antoun''s readable style make the concepts readily accessible for beginning students. For classes in religious studies, anthropology, or sociology of religion, Understanding Fundamentalism brings a balanced introduction to these often-misunderstood religious activists.Trade ReviewPraise for the first edition: A reflective, critical approach to the charged, often abused, but seldom understood concept of fundamentalism, Understanding Fundamentalism lives up to its title. Its broad scope encompasses Jewish, Christian and Muslim fundamentalist movements, while its fine-grained analysis clarifies scripture and myth, colonial and postcolonial history, the roles of women as well as men, illuminating the much-neglected adaptive capacity of fundamentalists. Indeed, the twin concepts of controlled acculturation and selective modernization etch the major theoretical advance of this compact study—at once original and eloquent—of those zealous Abrahamic ideologues popularly known as religious fundamentalists... -- Bruce Lawrence, Duke UniversityPraise for the first edition: Antoun's book is an important contribution to the knowledge of a major aspect of the modern world. It explains the religious aspects of terrorism and the mechanisms that create and nurture religious extremism. It is a useful resource for all who are involved or interested in religion, contributing a serious and balanced approach to our understanding of fundamentalism.... * Seminary Studies *Praise for the first edition: This book issues from Antoun's firsthand observation of cultural change and religious reaction. A superb addition to the growing interdisciplinary canon of fundamentalism studies, the work argues for the cross-cultural application of the category and the transnational scope of the phenomenon.... Anyone seeking to understand the global phenomenon of fundamentalism will profit from this well-written book.... -- Peter A. Huff, Centenary College of Louisiana * International Journal on World Peace *Praise for the first edition: The author's theoretical and conceptual approach to the topic is sound, the analysis crisp and concise, the illustrations insightfully chosen..... * Middle East Quarterly *Praise for the first edition: This book's strength lies in its analytical and written clarity. Antoun makes a complex subject readable and accessible and, by the end of the book, readers have a better understanding of the motives and worldview of thosewho, for example, feel moved to commit acts of violence and terrorism in religion's name. He has achieved one of anthropology's methodological goals: empathizing with fundamentalist worldviews without being sympathetic.... It is likely to be a valuable addition to the libraries of established academics, as well as of undergraduate students, and deserves to be widely read and appreciated both within and outside the academyyy -- Sophie Gilliat-Ray, Cardiff University, Wales * American Journal of Islamic Social Studies *Praise for the first edition: Antoun's book is an important contribution to the knowledge of a major aspect of the modern world. It explains the religious aspects of terrorism and the mechanisms that create and nurture religious extremism. It is a useful resource for all who are involved or interested in religion, contributing a serious and balanced approach to our understanding of fundamentalism. * Seminary Studies *Praise for the first edition: A useful introduction to a complex and hotly debated subject. The book is clear, has an easy flowing style, and is enhanced further by a succinct conclusion and glossary of terms. * Peace & Change *Praise for the first edition: This book issues from Antoun's firsthand observation of cultural change and religious reaction. A superb addition to the growing interdisciplinary canon of fundamentalism studies, the work argues for the cross-cultural application of the category and the transnational scope of the phenomenon.... Anyone seeking to understand the global phenomenon of fundamentalism will profit from this well-written book. -- Peter A. Huff, Centenary College of Louisiana * International Journal on World Peace *Praise for the first edition: The author's theoretical and conceptual approach to the topic is sound, the analysis crisp and concise, the illustrations insightfully chosen. * Middle East Quarterly *Praise for the first edition: This book's strength lies in its analytical and written clarity. Antoun makes a complex subject readable and accessible and, by the end of the book, readers have a better understanding of the motives and worldview of those who, for example, feel moved to commit acts of violence and terrorism in religion's name. He has achieved one of anthropology's methodological goals: empathizing with fundamentalist worldviews without being sympathetic.... It is likely to be a valuable addition to the libraries of established academics, as well as of undergraduate students, and deserves to be widely read and appreciated both within and outside the academy -- Sophie Gilliat-Ray, Cardiff University, Wales * American Journal of Islamic Social Studies *Praise for the first edition: [Antoun's] presentation of Islamic and American Protestant reactions to modernization and reinstituting the sacred is well-nuanced and well-balanced. -- P.L. Redditt, Georgetown College * CHOICE *Praise for the first edition: A reflective, critical approach to the charged, often abused, but seldom understood concept of fundamentalism, Understanding Fundamentalism lives up to its title. Its broad scope encompasses Jewish, Christian and Muslim fundamentalist movements, while its fine-grained analysis clarifies scripture and myth, colonial and postcolonial history, the roles of women as well as men, illuminating the much-neglected adaptive capacity of fundamentalists. Indeed, the twin concepts of controlled acculturation and selective modernization etch the major theoretical advance of this compact study—at once original and eloquent—of those zealous Abrahamic ideologues popularly known as religious fundamentalists. -- Bruce Lawrence, Duke UniversityRichard Antoun outlines in accessible language central conceptual features of religious fundamentalism. His informed perspective, free from unnecessary polemicism, provides needed pathways in understanding the complexity of this new global religious phenomenon. His book is a must-read for anyone who wants to participate in the public debate about fundamentalists around the globe. I have assigned it repeatedly to my students in religious studies to set the tone and direction for the entire semester. -- Bjorn Krondorfer, St. Mary's College of MarylandRichard Antoun dynamically explains the complexities of religious fundamentalism. Antoun integrates research and theory from diverse disciplines and constructs a critically insightful analysis. It is the best comprehensive treatment of the subject available, and one of the few to seriously consider the emotional hold that fundamentalism exerts on people in many different religions. In my course, the Sociology of Religion, I use a focused text for each of four substantive areas, and Antoun's Understanding Fundamentalism is easily the best in its area. Students read it willingly, and it covers all the major issues with full academic rigor and still maintains accessibility. -- George Lundskow, Grand Valley State UniversityAs the need to understand fundamentalism in Judaism, Christianity and Islam grows ever more urgent, Understanding Fundamentalism provides an eminently readable, full and compelling introduction. The new chapter for this edition on the transnational aspects of fundamentalism is very relevant to a phenomenon that is now threateningly global. The unit on Osama Bin Laden, Al-Qaida and violence is powerful and chilling. Antoun supports his careful and restrained analysis with a wealth of examples that often put personal faces on fundamentalism, its adherents and its complexities. -- John Barclay Burns, George Mason UniversityUnderstanding Fundamentalism provides a well-organized theoretical exploration of fundamentalism in the modern world. Scholars of fundamentalism could gain many analytical tools from the seven attributes that Antoun elucidates. A significant contribution to the contemporary discussions around fundamentalist religious groups. -- Amarnath Amarasingam, author of Pain, Pride, and Politics: Social Movement Activism and the Sri Lankan Tamil Diaspora in Canada * Contemporary Islam, May 16, 2009 *[It] provides a well-organized theoretical exploration of fundamentalism in the modern world. The book provides several theoretical tools for cross cultural analysis and applies these tools through the exploration of numerous case studies around the world. Scholars of fundamentalism could gain much analytical tools from the seven attributes that Antoun elucidates.… Understanding Fundamentalism is a significant contribution to the contemporary discussions around the fundamentalist religious groups. * Springer Science + Business Media *Table of ContentsChapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 The Complexity of Scripturalism Chapter 3 The Past in the Present: "Traditioning", the Proof-text, and the Covenant Chapter 4 Three Strategies in the Quest for Purity Chapter 5 Activism and Totalism Chapter 6 Selective Modernization and Controlled Acculturation Chapter 7 Transnational Religion Before and After 9/11: Muslims in Western Europe and Afghanistan Chapter 8 Glossary Chapter 9 Suggestions for Further Reading

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Book SynopsisThere may be no group in American society that is more talked about but so little understood as Evangelical Christians. Sometimes dismissed as violent fundamentalists and ignorant flat earthers, few can doubt the political, cultural, and religious significance of the Evangelicals. Barry Hankins puts the Evangelical movement in historical perspective, reaching back to its roots in the Great Awakening of the eighteenth century and leading up to the formative moments of contemporary conservative Protestantism. Taking on key topics such as the standing of science, the authority of scripture, and gender and racial equality, Hankins analyzes what is most essential for us to understand today about this potent movement.Trade Review[Hankins] draws from the best secondary sources to explicate the evangelical intersection with theological liberalism and the beginnings of fundamentalism. . . . Recommended. * CHOICE *In this informed, sympathetic, and critical book, Barry Hankins combats our culture's ongoing tendency to reduce evangelicals to unquestioning devotees of the religious Right, revealing them instead to be part of a movement with a rich and varied history. The book judiciously summarizes the major scholarship from the past generation, filtering it for an audience of nonspecialists. Hankins' book is one of the best and most accessible introductions to the history of American evangelicalism available for undergraduate courses. -- Kurt Peterson * Journal of American History *Most [evangelical studies] focus on doctrinal or theological standards . . . and the evolving definitional and identity crisis. Barry Hankins's American Evangelicals breaks in some ways with this pattern, offering instead a more historical approach to evangelical Christianity within the United States. . . . Hankins supports his claims quite well by drawing on evangelical biographies, regional studies, and numerous secondary works in the field of American evangelicalism. . . . Hankins affords rich insights into the diversity and complexity within the evangelical subculture as a whole, giving some attention to the ways in which fundamentalists and evangelicals critique each other. . . . Hankins writes well and has a strong grasp of the many issues and problems as they have unfolded in the history of American evangelicalism. The book has something to offer those who have little knowledge of evangelical Christianity, and it is most suitable for undergraduate courses on the subject and for ordinary persons in churches. It serves quite well as an introduction to the history of American evangelicalism. * Church History: Studies in Christianity and Culture *Those who wish to gain a better picture of evangelical presence in American culture would do well to at least browse the book. * Stone-Campbell International *Historically informed, well balanced, and richly detailed, this book is an essential guide to American evangelicals' cultural and political concerns. Hankins goes beyond the headlines of the contemporary culture wars to explain what evangelicals really believe and practice. -- Daniel K. Williams, University of West GeorgiaHankins has a way of turning movements into readable stories; this storytelling ability is what makes this book enjoyable. * Journal of Church and State *Table of ContentsPreface Introduction: Awakenings and the Beginning of American Evangelicalism Chapter 1: The Struggle with Modernism: Origins of the Culture Wars Chapter 2: Battling with Science: From Anti-Evolution to the Intelligent Design Chapter 3: Millennialism: Folk Religion and the Career of End-Times Prophecy Chapter 4: Considering Equality: The Tradition of Gender, Race, and Gay Rights Chapter 5: Inspired Politics: Evangelical Religion in the Political Marketplace Chapter 6: Back to the Academy: Evangelical Scholars and the American Mind Conclusion Bibliography

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Book SynopsisAn account of modern liberation theory in today's Capitalistic Latin AmericaTable of ContentsForeword by Michael Löwy Prologue Part I: Entelechies and Cathedrals 1. Civilising Paradigms and Colonial Atavisms: Power and Social Sciences 2. The Shopping Mall as the Paradigmatic Figure of Neocolonial Discourse: Racism and Power in Latin America Part II: Utopia and Liberation 3. The Portentous Eclosion of the Principle of Hope: Ernst Bloch and Liberation 4. The Gun Powder of the Dwarf: Unearthly Reflections on Contemporary Political Philosophy 5. Tendencies and Latencies of Liberation Theology in the Twenty-First Century Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisThrough a series of case studies of major fundamentalist missionary institutions and campaigns in China from 1930 to 1937, this work traces and clarifies the historical process of the movement and its controversy with modernism, the nature of character of the movement, its theological cores, its impact upon missionary thinking and strategies, and its influences on emerging evangelicals within Chinese churches.Trade Review...this is a well-researched resource, clearly presented. -- Henry Rowold * Missio Apostolica *Overall, Yao has connected the dots well, placing the events in a coherent, connected historical context. -- Alvyn Austin, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario * International Bulletin of Mission Research *...this is a solid monograph on a topic hertofore little considered in the mission literature. * Journal of Presbyterian History *The book provides a rare glimpse into the 'conservative' aspect of mission forces in China...readable and informative to a general missiology readership. -- Enoch Wan, Western Seminary * Evangelical Missions Quarterly *...this is a well-researched resource, clearly presented. -- Henry Rowold * Missio Apostolica *Overall, Yao has connected the dots well, placing the events in a coherent, connected historical context. -- Alvyn Austin, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario * International Bulletin of Mission Research *Kevin Xiyi Yao presents an insightful account of the Christian fundamentalist missionary movement in China during the 1920s and 1930s….Chinese church historians will appreciate this work for its clarification of a complicated historical topic. Mission scholars, religious specialists, and sociologists will also find this work a fine reference text for the comparative study of global Christian fundamentalism. * Mission Studies *Table of ContentsChapter 1 Foreword Chapter 2 Preface Chapter 3 List of Abbreviations Chapter 4 Introduction Chapter 5 The Road to the Controversy Chapter 6 The Bible Union of China Chapter 7 The North Jiangsu Mission and the Nanjing Theological Seminary Chapter 8 The North China Theological Seminary Chapter 9 The Fundamentalists and the Church Union Movement Chapter 10 The Controversies of the 1930s Chapter 11 Conclusion Chapter 12 Bibliography Chapter 13 Index

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Book SynopsisWhy is it that for so many to validate their beliefs they must deny the beliefs of others? Religious extremism is driven by fear, in many cases authentic, that is initiated by the certainty of death. Death is an unknown that every faith must negotiate and overcome in order for its adherents to achieve peace of mind. Because of death''s inherent insecurity, any rival concept that threatens a religion''s safe haven can prompt dramatic reactions. It is these reactions that threaten any chance of religious tolerance and perpetuate today''s increasingly polarized and contentious environment. Visceral protective emotions notwithstanding, there have been notable eras of relative religious tolerance. Two examples are the reigns of Asoka the Buddhist King of Magadha, present Northern India, from 273 to 232 B.C.E.; and Al Andalus in Muslim Spain from 750 to 100 C.E. Ecumenism and genuine inter-religious dialogue that still exist today characterized these and other periods of history. Using these historical periods as a guide, Satan''s Cauldron proposes steps towards increased religious understanding today.Table of ContentsChapter 1 Preface Chapter 2 Acknowledgements Chapter 3 Introduction Chapter 4 Chapter 1: Questions Chapter 5 Chapter 2: Motivations Chapter 6 Chapter 3: Societal Damage Chapter 7 Chapter 4: Truths Chapter 8 Chapter 5: Dimensions Chapter 9 Chapter 6: Utopia and the Loa Chapter 10 Chapter 7: Potentials Chapter 11 Chapter 8: Bridges Chapter 12 Index

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Book SynopsisPerfect for anyone looking for a new way to experience the revered KJV. This edition is published in large KJV Comfort Print type, which was designed exclusively for Thomas Nelson to be the most readable at any size. The KJV Paragraph-style Large Print Thinline Bible features the timeless beauty of the trustworthy King James Version Bible. While the traditional design of the King James text starts each verse on its own line, this edition improves the reading experience and comprehension by keeping the writers’ thoughts together in paragraph format. And with Thomas Nelson’s exclusive KJV Comfort Print®, you’ll enjoy typography designed to be exceptionally easy-to-read and honoring the legacy of the King James Version.In 1611 the King James Bible was published and authorized by the monarch of England and Scotland. Today, more than 400 years since its initial public

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Book SynopsisPerfect for anyone looking for a new way to experience the revered KJV. This edition is published in large KJV Comfort Print type, which was designed exclusively for Thomas Nelson to be the most readable at any size.The KJV Paragraph-style Large Print Thinline Bible features the timeless beauty of the trustworthy King James Version Bible. While the traditional design of the King James text starts each verse on its own line, this edition improves the reading experience and comprehension by keeping the writers’ thoughts together in paragraph format. And with Thomas Nelson’s exclusive KJV Comfort Print®, you’ll enjoy typography designed to be exceptionally easy-to-read and honoring the legacy of the King James Version.In 1611 the King James Bible was published and authorized by the monarch of England and Scotland. Today, more than 400 years since its initial publication, the KJV is consi

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Book SynopsisPerfect for anyone looking for a new way to experience the revered KJV. This edition is published in large KJV Comfort Print type, which was designed exclusively for Thomas Nelson to be the most readable at any size.The KJV Paragraph-style Large Print Thinline Bible features the timeless beauty of the trustworthy King James Version Bible. While the traditional design of the King James text starts each verse on its own line, this edition improves the reading experience and comprehension by keeping the writers’ thoughts together in paragraph format. And with Thomas Nelson’s exclusive KJV Comfort Print®, you’ll enjoy typography designed to be exceptionally easy-to-read and honoring the legacy of the King James Version.In 1611 the King James Bible was published and authorized by the monarch of England and Scotland. Today, more than 400 years since its initial publication, the KJV is consi

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Book SynopsisCrafted to be an easy-to-carry large print Bible with cross references allowing this Bible to be an ideal choice to take with you wherever you go. This edition is published in large KJV Comfort Print type, which was designed exclusively for Thomas Nelson to be the most readable at any size.Enjoy the unmatched beauty of the King James Version combined with the readability of Thomas Nelson’s KJV Comfort Print® typeface, all in a Bible that’s a convenient size to take anywhere. Plus, you’ll also have essential study resources, including over 42,000 cross references, a concordance and more.In 1611 the King James Bible was published and authorized by the monarch of England and Scotland. Today, more than 400 years since its initial publication, the KJV is considered one of the most influential and beautiful works of the English language and continues to be the favorite translation for millions of Christians worldwid

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Book SynopsisThis classic large print KJV Bible includes center-column references and uses Thomas Nelson’s exclusive KJV Comfort Print type, which was designed to be the most readable at any size.Enjoy the beauty of the King James Version in a large print format and featuring Thomas Nelson''s custom KJV Comfort Print. But you won’t have to sacrifice study features for readability. This edition is complete with center-column references, book introductions, a concordance, words of Christ in red, and full-color maps.Features include: The Presentation page is a special place to personalize this special gift by recording a memory or note Bible book introductions provide a concise overview of the background and historical context of the book about to be read Center-column references allow you to find related passages quickly and easily

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