Religions on Trial: A Lawyer Examines Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and More

by W. Mark Lanier

Publisher:

IVP

, 2023

Overview

People today encounter a dizzying array of religious options. We might consider mystical faiths like Buddhism and Hinduism, historical religions like Islam and Mormonism, or more nebulous modern expressions of being spiritual but not religious or religious but not spiritual. How do we know what is true? Is one faith just as good as another?

Trial lawyer Mark Lanier presents the claims made by the world’s great religions, discusses their histories, and cross-examines their witnesses (their scriptures and traditions) to determine whether their claims are worthy of belief. With his keen legal mind and methodical style, he provides a careful comparative study, highlighting key truths he finds in each religion even as he offers critiques. Treating each perspective on its own terms and weighing the worldviews for consistency and livability, Lanier assesses evidence for and against belief systems with criteria for what constitutes sufficient proof.

Believers and unbelievers alike will find here perceptive insights into how we can make sense of competing religious claims and what difference it makes for our own lives.

Key Features

• Features a careful comparative study, highlighting key truths he finds in each religion
• Presents the claims made by the world's great religions, discusses their histories, and cross-examines their witnesses
• Provides insights into how we can make sense of competing religious claims

Contents

• Introduction
• A Legal Primer
• Opening Statement

Part I: Mystical Faiths

• Examining Hinduism
• Examining Buddhism

Part II: Historical Religions

• Examining Judaism
• Examining Islam
• Examining Mormonism

Part III: Modern Religious Expressions

• Examining Secular Spiritualism
• Examining Secular Christianity
• Closing Argument

Praise for the Print Edition

Religions on Trial is a must-read for those interested in the world’s major religions and their truth claims. Lanier draws on his extensive courtroom experience as he respectfully and even-handedly examines each religion’s views on reality to establish the reliability of its assertions. Lanier’s authentic friendships with people from various religions provide an excellent model for interreligious conversations. Religions on Trial has no hard edges or axes to grind; Lanier asks honest questions in pursuit of the truth.

—Lynn H. Cohick, provost and dean of academic affairs at Northern Seminary

Mark Lanier’s excellent, accessible book has much to commend it! Because Lanier believes that all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ, he readily affirms the truth wherever he finds it rather than being dismissive toward any belief held by another religion or worldview. Instead, like Paul in Athens, Lanier builds bridges where he can, connecting personally and sympathetically whenever he finds opportunity. But he wisely but humbly points out shortcomings or difficulties with religions where they prove inadequate in answering basic worldview questions and where they do not meet basic criteria for assessing the truth and coherence required of any belief system. Throughout the book, Lanier effortlessly weaves together his own legal experience, powerful illustrations, and the rational and existential reasons for the Christian faith as he engages the tenets and practices of the world’s leading religions.

—Paul Copan, Pledger Family Chair of Philosophy and Ethics at Palm Beach Atlantic University and author of Loving Wisdom

There are few people as equipped to test ideas as W. Mark Lanier. Here he offers a remarkable journey through many of the world’s major belief systems, finding good in each but also offering fair critique where needed. Through this global tour, our guide also shows us how to recognize the true way to God.

—Peter J. Williams, principal of Tyndale House, Cambridge

Product Details

• Title: Religions on Trial: A Lawyer Examines Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and More
• Author: W. Mark Lanier
• Publisher: IVP
• Print Publication Date: 2023
• Logos Release Date: 2022
• Pages: 224
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
• Subject: Christianity and other religions
• ISBNs: 9781514003442, 9781514003435, 1514003449, 1514003430
• Resource ID: LLS:RLGNSTRLLWSLMMR
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-12-01T20:51:03Z