Judaism, Christianity, and Islam: The Classical Texts and Their Interpretation, Volume III: The Works of the Spirit

by Francis Edward Peters

Overview

Invoking a concept as simple as it is brilliant, F. E. Peters has taken the basic texts of the three related—and competitive—religious systems we call Judaism, Christianity, and Islam and has juxtaposed them in a topical and parallel arrangement according to the issues that most concerned all these "children of Abraham." Through these extensive passages, and the author's skillful connective commentary, the three traditions are shown with their similarities sometimes startlingly underlined and their well-known differences now more profoundly exposed. What emerges from this unique and ambitious work is a panorama of belief, practice, and sensibility that will broaden our understanding of our religious and political roots in a past that is, by these communities' definition, still the present. The hardcover edition of the work is bound in one volume, and in the paperback version the identical material is broken down into three smaller but self-contained books. The third, "The Works of the Spirit," focuses on spirituality and worship and contains material on monasticism, theology, mysticism, and the "End Time." Throughout the work we hear an amazing variety of voices, some familiar, some not, all of them central to the primary and secondary canons of their own tradition: alongside the Scriptural voice of God are the words of theologians, priests, visionaries, lawyers, rulers and the ruled. The work ends, as does the same author's now classic Children of Abraham, in what Peters calls the "classical period," that is, before the great movements of modernism and reform that were to transform Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780691020556
Publisher:	Princeton University Press
Publication date:	08/15/1990
Series:	Judaism, Christianity & Islam
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	440
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.25(h) x (d)

About the Author

F. E. Peters is Professor of Near Eastern Languages and Literatures, History, Hebrew, and Judaic Studies at New York University.

Editorial Reviews

The author (Near Eastern history and literature, NYU), here compiles quotations from the important texts of three great religions. Part 1, ``From Covenant to Community,'' covers their beginnings; Part 2, ``The Word and the Law and the People of God,'' their scriptures; and Part 3, ``The Works of the Spirit,'' their theology and worship. Arranging the sections so that each tradition can be heard on each subject, Peters provides connective commentary containing explanatory and factual data. As the title indicates, he draws his selections exclusively from the religions' classical periods, stopping short of the great reform movements each has experienced. An excellent topical reference source that can also be read straight through. Recommended for academic and public libraries.-- C. Robert Nixon, M.L.S., Lafayette, Ind.

Library Journal

Peters (Near Eastern literature and language, New York Univ.) juxtaposes the basic texts of the three religions of the Abraham the similarity and differences of their approaches, beliefs, and practices. Within the main sections--from covenant to community, the word and the law and the people of god, and the works of the spirit--are chapters on such topics as church and state, unity, and withdrawal from the world. Also available as a set of three paper volumes. (unseen) for $14.95 each. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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