Religions of a Single God

A Critical Introduction to Monotheisms from Judaism to Baha'i

by Zeba A. Crook

Book cover: Religions of a Single God

Extent: 320 pages

Publisher: Equinox Publishing

Subjects: Religious Studies

Language: English

Paperback (Published)

(March 2019)

ISBN: 9781781798065

7.95 x 9.96 inches

Price: $50.00

In stock

Hardback (Published)

(March 2019)

ISBN: 9781781798058

7.95 x 9.96 inches

Price: $50.00

In stock

Rather than claim to show the “essence” of Judaism, Christianity, or Islam, this book shows the diversity within Jewish, Christian, and Islamic experience, theological dispute, and practice. Rather than rely solely on the traditional theorists of religion, the “giants,” this book updates the approach, relying also on the newest critical thinkers on defining, classifying, and studying religion. Rather than present Latter-Day Saints and Baha’i Religion as among the New Religious Movements, this book treats them as part of the continuing history of religion, growing out of and within Christianity and Islam respectively. Religion, in other words, is not a thing of the past. It’s happening right now, all around us.


In some ways, this book fits into the long tradition of textbooks on Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. It seeks to teach the basics both of the study of religion and the study of the religions themselves. For each religion, it presents the trajectories of development over time, the main theological debates and claims, the sacred writings, and the common practices and holy days. Yet, in other ways, this book is like no other introductory textbook on Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Rather than claim to show the “essence” of Judaism, Christianity, or Islam, this book shows the diversity within Jewish, Christian, and Islamic experience, theological dispute, and practice. Rather than rely solely on the traditional theorists of religion, the “giants,” this book updates the approach, relying also on the newest critical thinkers on defining, classifying, and studying religion. Rather than present Latter-Day Saints and Baha’i Religion as among the New Religious Movements, this book treats them as part of the continuing history of religion, growing out of and within Christianity and Islam respectively. Religion, in other words, is not a thing of the past. It’s happening right now, all around us.

Chapter One: Towards a General Theory of Religion Part One: Histories Chapter Two: History of Judaism Chapter Three: History of Christianity Chapter Four: History of Islam Part Two: Orthodoxies Chapter Five: Jewish Theology and Theological Writings Chapter Six: Christian Theology and Theological Writings Chapter Seven: Islamic Theology and Theological Writings Part Three: Orthopraxies Chapter Eight: Jewish Practice and Holy Days Chapter Nine: Christian Practice and Holy Days Chapter Ten: Islamic Practice and Holy Days Part Four: The Continuing History of Religions Chapter Eleven: Latter-day Saints and Baha'i Religion

  • By (author) Zeba A. xrook