Description
Book SynopsisA Critical Study of Classical Religious Texts in Global Contexts: Challenges of a Changing World challenges toxic stereotypes of world religions by providing scholarly investigations into classic sacred texts in global contexts. By engaging more perspectives, important connections, and more, complex and humanizing stories are developed, inviting the reader to see the face of the Other and, perhaps, to see a bit of oneself in that face. In today's world of increasing polarization and the rise of nationalism, the contributors to this volume welcome the reader to join them in a shared humanity that seeks understanding. A red thread that runs through each chapter relates to the challenges that globalization brings to the sacred texts in various contextual settings. The contributors describe various circumstances related to reading and interpreting sacred writingswhether historical or more recentwhich continue to have an influence today. The essays in this volume view these reli
Trade Review
“This wide-ranging book is an exploration of ways of knowing and interpreting classical religious texts from a variety of perspectives. Together, the chapters speak to the diverse, innovative, and sometimes surprising ways that such texts are integrated in and shape everyday lives, including kindergarten teachers, students, and cancer patients. Highlighting the global context in which such texts circulate, the book simultaneously illustrates the importance of local interpretive practices.” —Lori G. Beaman, Canada Research Chair in Religious Diversity and Social Change, University of Ottawa
“This excellent collection of essays by Scandinavian scholars of religious studies, assembled by Beth E. Elness-Hanson and Jon Skarpeid, discusses issues related to the impact of globalisation on classic religious texts in a variety of national contexts. Collectively, the chapters present examples of research which contribute engagingly to the breaking of stereotypes and to the development of religious literacy. The book will be of great interest to those participating in religious education and religious studies, as well as to a wider readership.” —Robert Jackson, Emeritus Professor of Religions in Education at the University of Warwick and Visiting Professor in the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences Education at Stockholm University
Table of Contents
Foreword – Acknowledgments – Part One: Introduction for Classic Religious Texts in Global Contexts – Beth E. Elness-Hanson/Jon Skarpeid: Introduction for Classic Religious Texts in Global Contexts – Part Two: Defining the Contexts – Jon Skarpeid: Globalization and Religion: Defining the Contexts – Part Three: Secular Contexts at the National Level – Lars Kirkhusmo Pharo: "The Great Binding Law of Peace": International Judicial-Political-Economic Impacts of the Revered Story of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy – Gunnar Magnus Eidsvåg: Religious Education and Pluralism in Norwegian Kindergartens – Marta Høyland Lavik: "I bring it with me everywhere": The Materiality of the Bible in Critical Illness – Part Four: Diaspora: Group and Individual – Gerd Marie Ådna – Sacred Texts and Muslim Youth in Turkish-Norwegian Diaspora Communities – Jonas Svensson: The Multifaceted Scripture: Patterns, Conflicts, and Ambiguities in Muslim Ways of Relating to the Qur’an – Part Five: Intercultural Bible Reading and Hermeneutics – Beth E. Elness-Hanson: Multi-Epistemological Exegesis: The Strength of Hybridity With a Case Study Analysis of Exod 20:4–6 – Knut Holter: Malagasy, Thai, and Norwegian Youths Reading Luke 15 Together – Olav Hammer: Occult Scriptural Exegesis: Theosophical Readings of the Bible – Contributor Biographies.
