Will Deming – författare

Paul is traditionally seen as one of the founders of Christian sexual asceticism. As early as the second century C.E., church leaders looked to him as a model for their lives of abstinence. But is this a correct reading of Paul? What exactly did Paul teach on the subjects of marriage and celibacy? Will Deming here answers these questions. By placing Paul's statements on marriage and celibacy against the backdrop of ancient Hellenistic society, Deming constructs a coherent picture of Paul's views. According to Deming, the conceptual world in which Paul lived and wrote had substantially vanished by 100 C.E., and terms like "sin," "body," "sex," and "holiness" began to acquire moral implications quite unlike those Paul knew. Paul conceived of marriage as a social obligation that had the potential of distracting Christians from Christ. For him celibacy was the single life, free from such distraction, not a life of saintly denial. Sex, in turn, was natural and not sinful, and sex within marriage was both proper and necessary. Superbly researched and reasoned, this book corrects misinterpretations of Paul and restores him to his proper place in the history of Christian thought on marriage and sexuality.

Understanding the Religions of the World offers a new approach to the study of religion which moves away from the purely descriptive and instead helps students understand how religions actually ''work''. Covering all the main faith traditions, it combines historical context, contemporary beliefs and practices, and original theory, with numerous study features and valuable overviews.

A major new student-focused textbook concentrating on contemporary practices and beliefs of world religions Brings together a team of experts to provide a uniquely comprehensive coverage of religious traditions, including African religions and the religions of Oceania, which are rarely covered in detail Integrates original theory by arguing that each religion operates according to its own logic and order, and that they fulfill our need for a point of orientation Incorporates extensive student features including chapter introductions, ''did you know?'' sections, boxed examples/material, numerous images and maps, conclusions, study questions and teaching plans, available on publication at www.wiley.com/go/deming

Understanding the Religions of the World offers a new approach to the study of religion which moves away from the purely descriptive and instead helps students understand how religions actually ''work''. Covering all the main faith traditions, it combines historical context, contemporary beliefs and practices, and original theory, with numerous study features and valuable overviews.

A major new student-focused textbook concentrating on contemporary practices and beliefs of world religions Brings together a team of experts to provide a uniquely comprehensive coverage of religious traditions, including African religions and the religions of Oceania, which are rarely covered in detail Integrates original theory by arguing that each religion operates according to its own logic and order, and that they fulfill our need for a point of orientation Incorporates extensive student features including chapter introductions, ''did you know?'' sections, boxed examples/material, numerous images and maps, conclusions, study questions and teaching plans, available on publication at www.wiley.com/go/deming

A comprehensive, visually rich introduction to the world's major religious traditions Now in its second edition, Understanding the Religions of the World: An Introduction provides an essential framework for analyzing and understanding the world's major religions. Rather than simply presenting a series of facts, this innovative textbook provides an insightful lens through which students examine how and why religions appeal to their followers. Contributions from leading scholars who have conducted fieldwork in the traditions they discuss focus on the contemporary beliefs and practices of Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Chinese Religion, and others. Each chapter contains detailed analysis, up-to-date scholarship, review and discussion questions, and multiple informational boxes that discuss topics in greater depth across five analytical categories. More than 150 carefully curated images, diagrams, and maps that enhance student comprehension and retention are integrated throughout. This edition features two entirely new chapters on the development of the study of religion and indigenous religions of the Americas. Helping students appreciate the complex systems of belief that shape human experience, Understanding the Religions of the World: Provides a current and relevant perspective on religion across the globeAnalyzes how religions operate as systems for achieving human aspirationsHelps students strengthen critical thinking skills and cultural awarenessDraws on the latest research and academic insights in the area of Religious StudiesCovers traditions not typically addressed in introductory texts, such as indigenous religions of Africa and OceaniaSupplying the tools necessary for exploring global faith traditions, Understanding the Religions of the World: An Introduction, Second Edition is an ideal textbook for undergraduate and elite high school honors courses on religious studies, anthropology, comparative religion, and theology.

A comprehensive, visually rich introduction to the world''s major religious traditions

Now in its second edition, Understanding the Religions of the World: An Introduction provides an essential framework for analyzing and understanding the world''s major religions. Rather than simply presenting a series of facts, this innovative textbook provides an insightful lens through which students examine how and why religions appeal to their followers. Contributions from leading scholars who have conducted fieldwork in the traditions they discuss focus on the contemporary beliefs and practices of Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Chinese Religion, and others.

Each chapter contains detailed analysis, up-to-date scholarship, review and discussion questions, and multiple informational boxes that discuss topics in greater depth across five analytical categories. More than 150 carefully curated images, diagrams, and maps that enhance student comprehension and retention are integrated throughout. This edition features two entirely new chapters on the development of the study of religion and indigenous religions of the Americas.

Helping students appreciate the complex systems of belief that shape human experience, Understanding the Religions of the World:

Provides a current and relevant perspective on religion across the globe Analyzes how religions operate as systems for achieving human aspirations Helps students strengthen critical thinking skills and cultural awareness Draws on the latest research and academic insights in the area of Religious Studies Covers traditions not typically addressed in introductory texts, such as indigenous religions of Africa and Oceania

Supplying the tools necessary for exploring global faith traditions, Understanding the Religions of the World: An Introduction, Second Edition is an ideal textbook for undergraduate and elite high school honors courses on religious studies, anthropology, comparative religion, and theology.

A comprehensive, visually rich introduction to the world''s major religious traditions

Now in its second edition, Understanding the Religions of the World: An Introduction provides an essential framework for analyzing and understanding the world''s major religions. Rather than simply presenting a series of facts, this innovative textbook provides an insightful lens through which students examine how and why religions appeal to their followers. Contributions from leading scholars who have conducted fieldwork in the traditions they discuss focus on the contemporary beliefs and practices of Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Chinese Religion, and others.

Each chapter contains detailed analysis, up-to-date scholarship, review and discussion questions, and multiple informational boxes that discuss topics in greater depth across five analytical categories. More than 150 carefully curated images, diagrams, and maps that enhance student comprehension and retention are integrated throughout. This edition features two entirely new chapters on the development of the study of religion and indigenous religions of the Americas.

Helping students appreciate the complex systems of belief that shape human experience, Understanding the Religions of the World:

Provides a current and relevant perspective on religion across the globe Analyzes how religions operate as systems for achieving human aspirations Helps students strengthen critical thinking skills and cultural awareness Draws on the latest research and academic insights in the area of Religious Studies Covers traditions not typically addressed in introductory texts, such as indigenous religions of Africa and Oceania

Supplying the tools necessary for exploring global faith traditions, Understanding the Religions of the World: An Introduction, Second Edition is an ideal textbook for undergraduate and elite high school honors courses on religious studies, anthropology, comparative religion, and theology.

Understanding the Religions of the World offers a new approach to the study of religion which moves away from the purely descriptive and instead helps students understand how religions actually 'work'. Covering all the main faith traditions, it combines historical context, contemporary beliefs and practices, and original theory, with numerous study features and valuable overviews. A major new student-focused textbook concentrating on contemporary practices and beliefs of world religionsBrings together a team of experts to provide a uniquely comprehensive coverage of religious traditions, including African religions and the religions of Oceania, which are rarely covered in detailIntegrates original theory by arguing that each religion operates according to its own logic and order, and that they fulfill our need for a point of orientationIncorporates extensive student features including chapter introductions, 'did you know?' sections, boxed examples/material, numerous images and maps, conclusions, study questions and teaching plans, available on publication at www.wiley.com/go/deming