Religions A to Z

by James A. Beverley

Publisher:

Thomas Nelson

, 2005

Overview

Religions A to Z is a complete, easy-to-use handbook of the origins, basic beliefs, and defining features of the world’s religions, cults, and sects. Written with the Christian in mind, these profiles provide the reader with the fundamentals of today’s religions and how they compare to Christianity.

This will help all Christians—from the new believer to the seasoned pastor—better understand the religions, cults, and sects around them.

Contents

Top Highlights

“Buddhist teachers in Southeast Asia, Japan, Tibet, and other areas of the world where Buddhism is dominant often have little interest in Jesus Christ.” (Page 34)

“Witness life is strictly controlled by the mother organization in Brooklyn. Members are forbidden to read material critical of the movement. At one time Witness leaders even stated that faithful disciples should believe what they are told even if they know it is untrue!” (Pages 110–111)

“The end of the world was predicted for 1914, 1918, 1925, the 1940s, and 1975.” (Page 110)

“Mormons believe that there are many gods and that these gods formed and organized the universe. Mormons are also taught that the gods used to be men, who grew up to become gods. Worthy Mormon males can become gods someday.” (Pages 134–135)

“The four accounts from him disagree on when the vision occurred, where the vision occurred, why the vision occurred, and who appeared to Joseph.” (Page 139)

Product Details

• Title: Religions A to Z
• Author: James A. Beverley
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson
• Print Publication Date: 2005
• Logos Release Date: 2006
• Pages: 276
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Religions › Dictionaries; Christianity and other religions › Dictionaries
• ISBNs: 9781418525255, 1418525251
• Resource ID: LLS:RELGNSAZ
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2025-02-10T21:27:25Z

About James A. Beverley

Religions A to Z will help all Christians better understand the religions, cults, and sects around them.

Each chapter of the book includes:

• A brief history of the religion
• Its central beliefs
• An overview of its organizational structure
• References for further study
• A chart summarizing essential information, including (when applicable): the deity/deities, beginning date, sacred texts, famous leaders, and websites and books for further study

However, Religions A to Z is not a stagnant list of religions and their beliefs because it also includes some subjective material on each religion. The book's author, James A. Beverly, has been studying religious traditions for over a quarter century at institutions such as the Toronto School of Theology. The criticism provided in each section is not necessarily his own, but rather the critique usually centers on general attitudes toward certain beliefs or aspects of a religion.