Secure Checkout

Sacred Quest, The: An Invitation to the Study of Religion, 6th edition

  • Lawrence S. Cunningham, 
  • John Kelsay

Your access includes:

  • Search, highlight, and take notes
  • Easily create flashcards
  • Use the app for access anywhere
  • 14-day refund guarantee

$10.99per month

4-month term, pay monthly or pay $43.96

Looking for your MyLab or Mastering eTextbook? Find it hereOpens in an new tab

Learn more, spend less

  • Study simpler and faster

    Use flashcards and other study tools in your eTextbook

  • Listen on the go

    Learn how you like with full eTextbook audio

  • Special partners and offers

    Enjoy perks from special partners and offers for students

  • Find it fast

    Quickly navigate your eTextbook with search

  • Stay organized

    Access all your eTextbooks in one place

Overview

BRIEF TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
1. Toward a Definition of Religion
2. The Nature of the Sacred
3. The Appearance of the Sacred
4. The Language(s) of the Sacred
5. Ritual
6. Sacred Communities
7. The Problem of Evil
8. Religion and Morality
9. The Quest for Salvation
Glossary
Index

FULL TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
The Breadth and Depth of Religious Experience
A Brief Outline of the Phenomenological Method
Attitudes and Institutions in the Study of Religion
A Final Word
Notes

1.Toward a Definition of Religion
The Search for a Definition of Religion
Elements of Religion
Religion and Human Thought
Religion and Feeling
Religion and Action
Individual and Social Existence
Values and Religion
Substance or Function?
Toward Resolution
A Proposal
In Conclusion
Thought Experiments
Suggestions for Further Reading
Notes

2. The Nature of the Sacred
The Complex Character of the Sacred
The Concept of Sacred Reality
Specially Distinctive
To Some Extent, Beyond the Volitional Control of Human Beings
Specially Prominent with Respect to Human Welfare
Properly Determinative of Various Aspects of Human Existence
Summary
Thought Experiments
Suggestions for Further Reading
Notes

3. The Appearance of the Sacred
Types of Sacred Appearance
Varieties of Media
Sacred Persons
Sacred Objects
Sacred Time
Sacred Space
Sacred Appearance and the Complexity of Traditions
Thought Experiments
Suggestions for Further Reading
Notes

4. The Language(s) of the Sacred
Myth
Stories
Story as Parable
The Preservation of Sacred Language
Oral Cultures
Scriptural Cultures
A Summary and Synthesis
The Language of Theology
The Visual Language of Religion
Language and Truth
Thought Experiments
Suggestions for Further Reading
Notes

5. Ritual
Myth(os) and Ritual
The Passover
Holy Communion (The Eucharist)
Rites of Passage
Birth Rituals
Rituals of Initiation
Rituals of Mourning and Death
Temporal Rites and Celebrations
The Religious Meaning(s) of Ritual
Adoration
Thanksgiving
Petition
Penance/Purification Ritual as a Problem
Ritual as a System
Thought Experiments
Notes

6. Sacred Communities
The Social Character of Religion
Religion and Social Resistance
Heresy/Schism/Division
Tradition and Innovation
The Social Aspects of Worship
A Word of Conclusion
Thought Experiments
Notes

7. The Problem of Evil
Identifying Evil
Responses to Evil. Some Classic Patterns
Evil and Karma. The Indian Context
The Consolation of Promise
The Appeal to Sovereignty
Dualism
Are the Answers Adequate?
Is It Logical?
Is It Coherent?
Is It Psychologically Satisfying?
What Are the Moral Consequences?
Thought Experiments
Suggestions for Further Reading
Notes

8. Religion and Morality
Defining the Issues
Religion, Morality, and Justification
Justification. General Considerations
Practical Justification. Three Cases
Hinduism. The Caste System
Islam. The Justification and Limitation of War
Christianity. Why Pray?
Religion and Morality. Patterns
Thought Experiments
Suggestions for Further Reading
Notes

9. The Quest for Salvation
Concepts of Salvation
Individual Salvation in This World
The Search for Meaning
The Desire to Be Remembered
The Ideal of Completion
Individual Salvation in Another World
Joining the Spirit World
Cosmic Cycling or Expansion
The Idea of Judgment
Group Salvation in This World
Salvation Through the People
Salvation Through the Tradition
Salvation in the Kingdom of God in This World
Group Salvation in Another World
Now That Distinctions Have Been Made
Paths to Salvation
The Path of Knowledge
The Path of Action
The Path of Aesthetics
The Path of Submission
The Path of Grace
A Closing Reminder
Thought Experiments
Suggestions for Further Reading
Notes

Glossary
Index

Published by Pearson (July 14th 2021) - Copyright © 2012

ISBN-13: 9780137612383

Subject: Religion

Category: Introduction to Religion

Your questions answered

Pearson+ is your one-stop shop, with eTextbooks and study videos designed to help students get better grades in college.

A Pearson eTextbook is an easy‑to‑use digital version of the book. You'll get upgraded study tools, including enhanced search, highlights and notes, flashcards and audio. Plus learn on the go with the Pearson+ app.

Your eTextbook subscription gives you access for 4 months. You can make a one‑time payment for the initial 4‑month term or pay monthly. If you opt for monthly payments, we will charge your payment method each month until your 4‑month term ends. You can turn on auto‑renew in My account at any time to continue your subscription before your 4‑month term ends.

When you purchase an eTextbook subscription, it will last 4 months. You can renew your subscription by selecting Extend subscription on the Manage subscription page in My account before your initial term ends.

If you extend your subscription, we'll automatically charge you every month. If you made a one‑time payment for your initial 4‑month term, you'll now pay monthly. To make sure your learning is uninterrupted, please check your card details.

To avoid the next payment charge, select Cancel subscription on the Manage subscription page in My account before the renewal date. You can subscribe again in the future by purchasing another eTextbook subscription.

Channels is a video platform with thousands of explanations, solutions and practice problems to help you do homework and prep for exams. Videos are personalized to your course, and tutors walk you through solutions. Plus, interactive AI‑powered summaries and a social community help you better understand lessons from class.

Channels is an additional tool to help you with your studies. This means you can use Channels even if your course uses a non‑Pearson textbook.

When you choose a Channels subscription, you're signing up for a 1‑month, 3‑month or 12‑month term and you make an upfront payment for your subscription. By default, these subscriptions auto‑renew at the frequency you select during checkout.

When you purchase a Channels subscription it will last 1 month, 3 months or 12 months, depending on the plan you chose. Your subscription will automatically renew at the end of your term unless you cancel it.

We use your credit card to renew your subscription automatically. To make sure your learning is uninterrupted, please check your card details.