In my opionion this is a very useful one volume guide to the Bible presenting a highly readable scholarly and reverent approach to the Bible from a non-denominational or particular religious viewpoint. It helps the layman to understand some of the significant aspects of the context of the Biblical Narrative.

Like most DK publications the illustrations are magnificanet and work with the text--they are not just decoration. The format with side panels and headings and short chapters is very user friendly.

This reference book is great for people that are interested in learning more about the Bible. The book traces the history and culture of the entire Bible, and includes short descriptions and analyses of each book in the Bible. The best part about the book is the pictures and maps. Very colorful and informative book! Great to keep by the bedside or on the coffee table for the occassional read.

The most important book in Western history is the Bible. It has had a profound influence on the religious, intellectual and cultural life of societies throughout the world. If you want to find the fascinating background information to the biblical world, look no further. This is the perfect illustrated companion to the Bible for adults. It embraces the whole world of Judeo-Christian traditions.

If you want a clear understanding to the most important teachings, there is also up-to-date scholarship to show the way. With more than 500 color illustrations, this is a stunning visual insight into the world of the Bible. Many important works of religious art are also beautifully reproduced.

Every book in the Bible is outlined and explained. The focus in on key figures, events and teachings. John Bowker is a pioneer in the study of religions. John Bowker was the Dean of Trinity College, Cambridge from 1984 to 1991. He has written many books including The Meanings of Death, An Introduction to Jewish Interpretations of Scripture and The Oxford Dictionary of World Religions.

This is an authoritative and inspirations guide, written by a multidenominational team of experts that embraces both the Jewish and Christian faiths. You may not agree with everything you read, but overall, this is an extensive collection of knowledge.

The book is divided into three main sections. The first deals with the Old Testament and The Hebrew Bible, the second deals with The New Testament and the third is Reference Section with an A-Z list of people and places in the Bible.

If you still want to read more about the Bible, an extensive bibliography will show you the way. At the right lower edge of each right-hand page there is a list of numbers for further reading. When you turn to the bibliography, the numbers correspond to the entries, which makes this extremely user friendly. The Index is comprehensive.

I especially enjoyed reading about the life of Jesus Christ. You will find a map of Palestine, reasons for Jewish dietary laws, the story of Noah and the Flood, a beautiful picture of Adam and Eve in the garden and a look at Heaven and Hell. If you are interested in learning about the fantastic imagery of prophets and apocalyptists, there is a section on the revelations.

I can highly recommend this book to you and it gets way over 5 stars in my opinion. Is there a job I can get where I just spend all day reading? If there is, I want it! This book has my full attention.

100 stars!

This book is probably one of the most comprehensive guides I've seen on the subject of the world's religions. It includes incredibly fascinating details on past and present religions. However, it may be too detailed for some.

The dictionary does its job in explaining religious terms in an up-to-date, clear, and concise manner. The majority of the terms have at the end of the definition a list of books whereby the reader can persue the idea further. All of the broad terms (e.g., death, angels, sin) are broken down into sections for each of the major religions; the major religions themselves are broken down historically. There are a few terms, however, that I would have liked expanded, or were missing, but then again, this is just a general dictionary of religion.

A great reference source if you are interested in studying religion.

Being a library student , I am therefore inquisitive by nature and always looking to expand my realm of knowledge; therefore I found The Oxford Dictionary of World Religions by John Westerdale Bowker(Editor) to by very usefull. The book is divided alphabetivcally and the index is well developed if a bit confusing since it is divided by topic. The book is invaluable in its in depth coverage of all kinds of religions. Being an Uniterian Universalist, I found the article written on my religion of choice to be both informative and easy to read. The font chosen for the book is easy to read and the lay out is also practical.

Unlike other books that claim to present an unbiased, fair view of the religions of the world, this one actually delivers on that promise. It discusses in depth the various major religions, offering pictures of artifacts, religious ceremonial equipment, and illustrations of the gods/goddesses involved. I was impressed by the religious timelines, continental graphs by religious practices, and Golden Rule section that closes the book (saying to basically be respectful of others' views). This book does not endorse any of the religions, nor does it neglect any of them either. If you are shopping for an impartial, complete, detailed account of all of the world's major religions, I highly recommend this book to you. "Prejudice is the child of Ignorance." -- W. Hazlitt

My husband and I recently bought this book after having seen it at the bookstore. It is a wonderful book that explains the basic ideologies and beliefs of the different religions of the world. Many illustrations and artfully photographed pictures are included to show religious relics as well as regions of the world. It is by no means a comprehensive in depth guide to every religion, but it is quite useful in giving one a thumbnail sketch of the religion in question, and it covers a lot of territory. For those of you who love coffeetable books with lots of nice pictures (like my husband does!) you will not be disappointed.

This richly illustrated book shows the world's most important religions with detailed annotation of sacred texts, paintings, epic imagery, symbolism, iconography, key beliefs, architecture and artifacts. World Religions gives insights into the world's main religions and offers a deeper appreciation for the belief you have chosen as your own.

Through the pages, the author looks at the beliefs and practices of many different religions from the ancient Egyptians to the faiths practiced today.

I have so enjoyed John Bowker's books and he has given me so insights into the religions of the world. He was the dean of Trinity College, Cambridge from 1984 to 1991. He is the author of many books, including The Meanings of Death and The Complete Bible Handbook.

With the knowledge presented, you can learn about the central leaders and their teachings, examine the similarities and differences and discover the main beliefs behind each faith.

The chapters include:

What is Religion? - An explanation of what it means to be religious.

Ancient Religions - Why have most cultures had a religion?

Hinduism
Jainism
Buddhism
Sikhism
Chinese Religions
Japanese Religions
Judaism
Christianity
Islam
Native Religions

The Golden Rule - How this rule exists in all religions in some form or the other.

Religious Timeline and Maps - Six pages, one with a very helpful timeline that shows when the religion came to be and how it evolved over time.

Further Reading - A page of books organized according to the religion they explain.

"What you do not want done to you, do not do to others." -Confucius, is found in every religion in some form or the other!

The belief in a higher power is found in every culture and seems almost essential to our existence. Why do we "want" to believe in a God? Why do we choose one religion over the other? Here you can explore your choice and see the choices of others.

A beautiful journey.

For pure bulk of information on anything and everything having to do with religion, this is the 800-lb. gorilla of dictionaries. It's jammed with so many tidbits and details about the world's major religions that you'll keep turning page after page. Sometimes the multiple cross-references can overwhelm you, though. It would have been nice to have something to tie everything together; the information can be as diffuse as it is profuse. Although, the dictionary presupposes one has some knowledge of the religions already. Regrettably, I noted that several definitions were shaded against Christianity throughout the work, particularly Roman Catholicism. I cannot account for the negativity. But, I sensed its presence. Otherwise, a fine addition to anyone's library.

While the world is attempting to correct aberrations in history, here is John Bowker, trying to misquote and perpetuate the antiquated concept of the Aryan Invasion: ill-conceived by Max Mueller and perpetuated by the narrow-minded British to keep the Indians divided during their notorious Raj.

The global community and Indologists are correcting this grave aberration of historic fraud, and John Bowker is apparently living up to his British heritage - wanting to rub in the divide!

His reference to the time frames: Vedic - 1500 - 1000, and others accordingly, is totally wrong, and thus contributes to the continued stereotyping of Hindus, and Hinduism as a by-product of the so-called Aryan Invasion.

A series of books have been written on this topic alone in the last decade. One book that stands head above shoulders in this area is "The Search of the Cradle of Civilization" ISBN Publisher: Quest Books; ISBN: 0-8356-0741-0.

If an author misses a raging controversy that could explode his work in its face, and he has no inkling of it, I consider my investment in his work a total waste of my money.

This book should be withdrawn from stores immediately.

If one can get past the errors that the previous post states about Hinduism, then you will find a good read into the way that we have seen, or even created, God throughout our existence. It can be a little scattered or confusing though as the author tries to fit so much, but if you take your time, it will be worth it.

...

This is not really a "history of God." It is more a "history" of the "human search" for God. Big difference. This book is about what God means to people in every generation and in every part of the world who have deepened and extended their knowledge of who God is. This is not a comprehensive history of all that has been thought and believed, it is more an understanding of who and what God is to humans around the globe.

This book explores the ways in which a belief in God began and how it has developed in the major religious traditions of the world. If you believe there is only one true God, you are going to have some problems with the way God is presented in this book. There is even an argument for atheism and a section on the positive role of witches.

This book is really not just about God, it is about a wide variety of topics including ritual, myth, music, science, art, sacrifice, architecture, The religions of India, Asia, Abraham and "In the End." Since many religions have their own dating systems, the dates in this book are given according to the western calendar.

This is really a brief overview of all the religions in the world.

"The claim is sometimes made that belief in God is like belief in fairies or Father Christmas: we may believe in such things when young but grown out of them when we are older and wiser. Phenomenology at the second level shows why that claim is wrong."

I enjoyed the section on Rumi because I've read some of his poetry and now I understand what a sulfi is. Apparently is it a man or woman with a broken heart. Someone who is always sensitive to the heartbreak of the world and who is always sensitive to Divine Beauty. Once the heart breaks open, it goes on breaking forever and there is beauty and majesty and agony in the experience.

"I was snow. I melted in you rays. The earth drank me: mist now, and pure spirit,I climb back to the sun."

A fascinating book on the human search for God.