Cuprins
CHAPTER 1 - ZOROASTRIANISM
Introduction
The AvestaZoroastrian Creed
DualismRemoval of Hair and Nails
Removal of the DeadThe Daily Prayer
Pahlavi Writings
The Chinvat Bridge, Heaven and Hell
Creation and the MillenniaLife of Zarathushtra
Coming of SaoshyantResurrection of the Dead, Final Judgment
Six Ritual ObligationsVirtues and Social Obligation
Zurvan Writings
Zurvan and his Twin Sons
Glossary, Further Readings
CHAPTER 2 - JUDAISM
Introduction
Books of MosesCreation: Genesis 1:1-2:3
Covenant with Noah: Genesis 9:1-17Covenant with Abraham: Genesis 17:1-22
Passover and Exodus: Exodus 12:29-41, 15:5-29Mosaic Covenant: Exodus 19, 20:1-17
Holiness Code: Leviticus 19:1-37Conquest and United Kingdom
Entry into Canaan: Joshua 1, 3
Song of Deborah: Judges 5:2-12Davidic Covenant: 2 Samuel 7:8-16
Psalms Attributed to David: Psalms 8; 23; 27; 32; 51Solomon's Temple: 1 Kings 4-6
Proverbs Attributed to Solomon: Proverbs 15Divided Kingdom and Exile
Elijah versus the Priests of Asherah and Baal: 1 Kings 16-18
Isaiah's Warning to Judah: Isaiah 1:1-9, 18-21; 6Babylonian Conquest and Exile: 2 Kings 24:8-20; 25:1-17
Remembering Zion: Psalms 137Return from Exile and Restoration: Ezra 1, 3
Esther: Esther 3:7-11; 7Ezra and the Law: Nehemiah 8
Post-Exilic Writings
Messiah, Resurrection, and Judgment: First Enoch
Maccabean Revolt: First MaccabeesQumran Community Rule: Dead Sea Scrolls
Rabbinic Writings
Wisdom of the Fathers
Rabbinic AuthorityResurrection of the Dead
Coming of the MessiahUnity of the Ten Commandments
Medieval Judaism
Thirteen Principles of Faith: Maimonides
Kabbala: CreationRecent Movements
Hasidism: The Seven Beggars
Reform Judaism: Declaration of PrinciplesZionism: Theodor Hertzl
Glossary, Further Readings
CHAPTER 3 - CHRISTIANITY
Introduction
Jesus' Birth and MinistryPrince of Peace and Suffering Servant: Isaiah 9:6-7, 53:2-11
Birth of Jesus: Luke, 2:1-24, 39, 40Jesus' Baptism, Temptation, and First Disciples: Mark, 1
Sermon on the Mount: Matthew, 5-7Good Samaritan and Prodigal Son: Luke, 10:25-37; 15:1-3, 11-32
Peter Receives the Keys: Matthew, 16:13-28Lazarus Raised from the Dead: John, 11:1-54
Jesus' Death
Last Supper: Mark 14:1-25
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: John 14:1-26Trial, Crucifixion, Resurrection: Mark, 14:43-16:8
New Testament Church
Ascension, Pentecost: Acts, 1:3-11, 2:1-24, 40-47
Paul on the Distinction between Christianity and Judaism: Galatians, 1-2Paul on Life after Death: 1 Corinthians 15:12-28, 35-57
Non-Canonical Gospels
Infancy Gospel of James
Infancy Gospel of ThomasGnostic Gospel of Thomas
Gnostic Gospel of MaryEarly Statements of Faith
Baptism, Prayer, and the Eucharist: Didache
Apostles' CreedNicene Creed
Chalcedon CreedChurch Fathers, Saints, and Mystics
The Martyrdom of Polycarp
Tertullian on HereticsJerome's Preface to the Vulgate
Augustine's ConfessionsTeresa of Avila on the Prayer of Union
Protestant Statements of Faith
Lutherans: Augsburg Confession
Anglicans: 39 Articles of ReligionPresbyterians: Westminster Confession
Baptists: First London Baptist Confession of FaithCongregationalists: Savoy Declaration of Faith and Order
Assemblies of God: Statement of Fundamental TruthsRecent Sectarian Movements
Unitarianism: William Ellery Channing
Mormonism: Joseph SmithJehovah's Witnesses: Charles Taze Russell
Christian Science: Mary Baker EddyNew Age Christianity: Levi H. Dowling
Glossary, Further Readings
CHAPTER 4 - ISLAM
Introduction
Qur'an: Muhammad in MeccaNight of Power
Divine JudgmentOpening
Evils of IdolatryEarly Prophets
Resurrection of the DeadRevealed Qur'an
Qur'an: Muhammad in Medina
Laws
Treatment of WomenJesus the prophet
Unbelieving People of the BookFive Pillars of Islam
JihadMuhammad's Wives
Idolatry AbolishedFinal Revelation
Hadith
Call to Prophethood
Night JourneyJihad
CharityReciting the Qur'an
Stoning of Adulterous JewsDeath of Muhammad
First Compilation of the Qur'anDefinitive Compilation of the Qur'an
Sunni and Shi'i Writings
Sunni Islamic Law
Sunni CreedShi'i Creed
Sufi Writings
Love: Rabi'a
Unveiling the Qur'an's Secrets: Sana'i of GhazniSufi Path: al-Ghazali
Union and Separation: RumiGlossary, Further Readings
CHAPTER 5 - BAHA'I
Introduction
The BabImprisonment
A New Qur'anThe Bayan: a Book for a New Dispensation
A Coming LeaderDay of Resurrection
Call to beliefBaha'u'llah
Different Manifestations in Different Dispensations
Baha'i LawsPromoting Peace
ParadiseAbdu'l-baha
Baha'u'llah's Teachings
PantheismUniversal Love
Abdu'l-baha's WillShoghi Effendi
Possibilities of the Future
Unity of Religions, Races, and GodUniversal House of Justice
Promise of World Peace
Glossary, Further Readings
CHAPTER 6 - INDIGENOUS RELIGIONS OF THE WEST
Introduction
AfricaCause of Death
King of Death: Angolan MythWoman’s Search for the High God: Zambian Myth
Tree to the Upper World: Tanzanian MythDead People become Clouds: San Myth
America
Creation: Mayan Myth
Quetzalcoatl and Tezcatlipoca: Mexican MythCreation: Hopi Myth
Creation: Cherokee MythOrigin of Disease and Medicine: Cherokee Myth
Glossary, Further Reading