The present volume of the series Key Concepts in Interreligious Discourses explores various conceptions of evil in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, including key terms from their respective sacred texts, major theodicy discussions and contemporary developments. Throughout history and even today, religious scholars and believers have struggled with the question of the origin of evil and how a benevolent God can allow evil to exist in the world. Why does a compassionate God not prevent deadly diseases or natural disasters? What do religions define as evil, and is God responsible for or even the creator of this evil? The articles, written by distinguished scholars in their respective fields, offer a variety of answers to such existential questions. The articles address topics such as the origin of evil, the responses to evil in sacred texts and religious traditions, and the role of human agency. Each author offers a critical analysis of these topics as well as recommendations for future research. The volume also highlights commonalities and differences among the three monotheistic religions.

This book is a collection of letters from a religious Jew in Israel to a Christian friend in Barcelona on life as an Orthodox Jew. Equal parts lighthearted and insightful, it's a thorough and entertaining introduction to the basic concepts of Judaism.

An examination of the practice and philosophy of sacrifice in three religious traditions In the book of Genesis, God tests the faith of the Hebrew patriarch Abraham by demanding that he sacrifice the life of his beloved son, Isaac. Bound by common admiration for Abraham, the religious traditions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam also promote the practice of giving up human and natural goods to attain religious ideals. Each tradition negotiates the moral dilemmas posed by Abraham’s story in different ways, while retaining the willingness to perform sacrifice as an identifying mark of religious commitment. This book considers the way in which Jews, Christians, and Muslims refer to “sacrifice”—not only as ritual offerings, but also as the donation of goods, discipline, suffering, and martyrdom. Weddle highlights objections to sacrifice within these traditions as well, presenting voices of dissent and protest in the name of ethical duty. Sacrifice forfeits concrete goods for abstract benefits, a utopian vision of human community, thereby sparking conflict with those who do not share the same ideals. Weddle places sacrifice in the larger context of the worldviews of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, using this nearly universal religious act as a means of examining similarities of practice and differences of meaning among these important world religions. This book takes the concept of sacrifice across these three religions, and offers a cross-cultural approach to understanding its place in history and deep-rooted traditions.

This Companion offers a state-of-the-art contribution by providing critical analyses of and creative insights on the problem of evil.

Among the legends, mythologies and folklore of every culture on Earth a common narrative pervades them all; the history of people who descended to Earth from the sky and created mankind. Augmenting the work of authors who have detailed the fascinating history of these Ancient Astronauts, Good and Evil demonstrates how they were the foundation of the Abrahamic Religions and then provides you with the enlightenment you need to determine for yourself who is really working for the benefit of mankind (Good) and who is really working against mankind (Evil). Beyond demystifying subjects that are veiled in symbolism, like Alchemy, Hermeticism, Witchcraft, Good and Evil illuminates occult sciences that not only heighten physical and mental abilities, but extend the human life-span; the secret behind the so-called Fountain of Youth, Holy Grail, Philosopher's Stone, Elixir of Life!

Nine papers from a March 2000 conference in Hanover, Germany explore the views of five major religions on the origin and nature of evil and suffering, and the question of overcoming them. In addition, there are a summary and critique from by a Christian theologian, the concluding discussion, and a summary of conversation between the representatives after the conclusion of the presentation. No subject index is provided. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

The Encyclopedia of Ancient Christianity covers eight centuries of the Christian church and comprises 3,220 entries by a team of 266 scholars from 26 countries representing a variety of Christian traditions. It draws upon such fields as archaeology, art and architecture, biography, cultural studies, ecclesiology, geography, history, philosophy, and theology. This edition updates and expands on previous Italian and English-language editions with the addition of more than 500 new articles (added to the current Italian or English edition). Extensive cross-referencing provides ease in exploring related articles, and helpful bibliographies, including primary sources (texts, critical editions, translations) and key secondary sources (books and journal articles), give access to in-depth scholarship in countless disciplines of study. --From publisher's description.