A very short introduction 2017, the 526th in the series, presents a special challenge. Written by historian richard lyman bushman, you have a near perfect balance as bushman is himself a practicing mormon, but is open to the problems that the movement faces and is honest about the issues that surround the history and policies of the church. Mormonism is more akin to judaism than any other christian religion. A very short introduction very short introductions. While authors may present personal viewpoints, the books are meant to be balanced and complete as. A very short introduction explores the history and circumstances of african american religion through three examples. The book of mormon also calls for those who identify with judaism to repent and accept jesus christ. The beauty of this book is that it is accessible at several different levels. The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which, according to adherents, contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the american continent from approximately 2200 bc to ad 421.
A book about the influence of the book of mormon on american religious thought and culture is an appropriate followup volume, and gutjahr does an admirable job of presenting information that objectively informs nonlds readers about the book that gave the church of jesus christ of latterday saints its popular name and in a way that is. Apr, 2020 oxfords very short introductions offer concise introductions that are balanced, demonstrating how it has developed and influenced society. Judaism is the worlds oldest monotheistic religion, dating back nearly 4,000 years. A very short introduction by richard lyman bushman isbn. The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which adherents believe contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the american continent from approximately 2200 bc to ad 421. Browse in religion very short introductions online very. It includes an interesting chapter on defining boundaries, an issue that is familiar to mormons. About the only task comparable to that of myers would be martin f. A very short introduction very short introductions by charles o. This very short introduction starts by outlining the basics of practical judaism, including. Mormonism is the predominant religious tradition of the latter day saint movement of restorationist christianity started by joseph smith in western new york in the 1820s and 30s. Based on the earliest sources available, this corrected text represents the most accurate and readable edition of thebook of mormonever published first published in 1830, the book of mormon is the authoritative scripture of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints and its estimated million members. The introduction outlines why it is so important to consider the question of what judaism is from a nonchristian, nonwestern perspective. Givens examines the book of mormon first and foremost in terms of the claims that its narrators make for its historical genesis, its purpose as a sacred text, and its meaning for an audience which shifts over the course of the history it unfolds.
Terryl givens, a highly regarded english professor at the university of richmond and one of the finest book of mormon scholars, has written this brief introduction to the book of mormon for the oxford university press very short introduction series. Short introductions to world religions, christian sects. However, after a fair and candid examination of the evidence, many thousands of honest mormons have discovered that this claim simply is not true. Why do we mormons sometimes seem so eager to push people onto the other side of a formal membership line. Jun 15, 2000 norman solomons succinct book is an ideal introduction to judaism as a religion and way of life. Part one deals with the sacred literature of the west. The word mormon originally derived from the book of mormon, a religious text published by smith, which he said he translated from golden plates with divine. I also have read a lot of good histories of protestantism in the us and a bunch of good sociological studies of religion if either topic should be of interest. Demonstrating the diverse nature and ethnic origin of jewish people, solomon explores how the religion has developed in the 2,000 years since the days of the bible. Judaism does not define itself around jesus, nor does it assume. Reviewed by dennis clark for the association for mormon letters. Writing this history would seem to be a task for a master of the mystical arts. He surveys some of the sites, including hazor, megiddo, gezer, lachish, masada, and.
Givens seeks to offer a general introduction, although i believe this book will actually be of most interest to mormons. Suggestions for nonfiction world religion books nonfiction. In addition to surveying the nature and development of judaism, this. The book attempts to introduce jewish history, with its diversity and complexity in both time and breadth, in a challenging and informative way without falling into stereotypes or preconceived notions.
Connected by their mutualif differentiatedveneration of the one god proclaimed by abraham, judaism, christianity, and islam compose a family of related traditions. Browse in religion very short introductions online. So i stumbled across a short book titled judaisms great debates jewish publication society, 2012 by rabbi barry l. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon.
An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of. The book of abraham was translated by joseph smith, jr. Mormons appreciate the torah, the prophets, and the writings as much as they appreciate the new. Tom, the book of mormon keywords for american cultural studies. In addition to surveying the nature and development of judaism, this very short introduction. Modern concerns and debates of the jewish people are. The book of mormon, like the bible, contains a record of gods dealings with a part of the house of israel. In addition to surveying the nature and development of judaism, this very short introduction outlines the basics of practical judaism its festivals, prayers, customs, and various sects.
Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Two others are by the hand of mormon and the book of mormon. Joseph smith sees a vision of god and jesus christ duration. The remix hypothesis holds that without certain foundational texts and cultural influences preceding the 1830 publication of the book of mormon, it simply would. Followers of judaism believe in one god who revealed himself through ancient prophets. Modern concerns and debates of the jewish people are also addressed, such as the. Very short introductions vsi are a book series published by the oxford university press oup. Traces five governing themes in particular revelation, christ, zion, scripture, and covenant and analyzes the. The books are concise introductions to particular subjects, intended for a general audience but written by experts. The book required creativity a form of remixing to produce, and as with any other creative work, the book of mormon appears to be heavily influenced by its time and place in history.
Modern concerns and debates of the jewish people are also addressed. Mormon boys, at age 12, receive the aaronic priesthood. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi. Supporters of the book of mormon claim it uses chiasmusa figure of speech utilizing inverted parallelismand claim it is evidence to support the books ancient origin. See more ideas about book of mormon, lds books and lds scriptures. Modern concerns and debates of the jewish people are also addressed, such as the impact of the holocaust, the. A very short introduction very short introductions kindle edition by givens, terryl l download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Feb 24, 2000 norman solomons succinct book is an ideal introduction to judaism as a religion and way of life. Normon solomons succinct book is an ideal introduction to judaism as a religion and way of life. A very short introduction by givens terryl l free mobi epub ebooks download. So i stumbled across a short book titled judaism s great debates jewish publication society, 2012 by rabbi barry l. David bokovoys work and grant hardys understanding the book of mormon have already been mentioned and both would qualify as efforts that bracket issues of truthfulness to evaluate the literary value.
Suggestions for nonfiction world religion books non. Judaism is best studied from within, rather than from without. Archaeologist cline discusses the origins of biblical archaeology as a discipline and what. Mormonism is the predominant religious tradition of the latter day saint movement of restorationist christianity started by joseph smith in western new york in the 1820s and 30s the word mormon originally derived from the book of mormon, a religious text published by smith, which he said he translated from golden plates with divine assistance. A very short introduction very short introductions terryl l. Instead most scholar, both mormon and not, increase the scope of their scholarship, including mormon history in their analysis.
After all, richard bushman got the same number of pages to discuss an entire religion, history and all, in his very short introduction to mormonism. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the book of mormon. The doctrines of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints view the religious history of the world as a continuum flowing from the plan of salvation established by god before the earth was created. In a 1978 study, krister stendahl traced the use of johannine theology in the book of mormons most central narrative. In addition to answering questions such as who are jews. Richard bushman got the same number of pages to discuss that entire religion, history and all, in his mormonism. It is a record of gods dealings with ancient inhabitants of the americas and contains the fulness of the everlasting gospel. Judaism, christianity, and islam share not only a common heritage of belief in one god, but are spoken of as religions of the book in deference to the indispensable role the hebrew bible, the old and new testaments, and the quran play in these respective traditions. Brent metcalfe early years, mark hofmann, the salamander letter, the bombings, the book of abraham, and life after mormonism. Must be on campus or have a com id to access off campus. Terryl givens is a professor of literature and religion at the university of richmond, and wrote the recentlypublished the book of mormon. Norman solomons succinct book is an ideal introduction to judaism as a religion and way of life. Norman solomons succinct audiobook is an ideal introduction to judaism as a religion and way of life.
The only concise, accessible introduction to this extraordinary work, which is too often overshadowed by the controversies that surround it. Tom, the book of mormon keywords for american cultural. The book of moses, given by revelation, adds lost scripture to the torah, reveals more about the creation, and tells us more of moses encounters with deity. A very short introduction an easy way to get any overview of western paganism. A book of mistakes, error, and fraud by jon gary williams introduction the mormon church promotes the book of mormon as an inspired writing. The book of mormon download books, sacred, spiritual. The church of jesus christ of latterday saints 218,745 views 2. Givens has remarked, the book functions more as a clan history than a cosmic one, and for that reason few scholars have considered the literary value of the work. Givens with over 140 million copies in print, and serving as the principal proselytizing tool of one of the worlds fastest growing faiths, the book of mormon is undoubtedly one of the most influential religious texts produced in the western world. The book of mormon is a record written by such prophets in the new world, covering with one more ancient exception a time span of 600 b. Top 100 most popularimportant episodes mormon stories. Modern concerns and debates of the jewish people are also addressed, such as the impact.
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