The Many Faces of Faith: A Guide to World Religions and Christian Traditions

Religious faith takes many forms. Throughout the centuries and around the globe, human responses to the divine have given rise to a large number of important religions. The Many Faces of Faith introduces general readers to the diversity of religion that exists today.

In this fascinating and very useful book, Richard R. Losch provides short descriptions of the main beliefs and practices of the world's most influential religious traditions, including the denominational branches of Christianity. The volume is not intended to be an in-depth study; rather, it focuses on what is essential for understanding each faith covered, and it dispels many of the myths and misconceptions concerning them.

The first part of the book is devoted to major world religions and several newer faiths. Chapters cover Hinduism, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Taoism and Confucianism, Buddhism, Islam, Mormonism, Baha'i, Jehovah's Witnesses, Neopaganism, Unitarian- Universalism, and major benign cults. The second part of the book describes the many faces of Christianity: the Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholics, Lutherans, Anglicans, Reformed churches, Mennonites, Presbyterians, Baptists, Quakers, Methodists, the United Church of Christ, the Holiness and Pentecostal movements, Adventists, the "Christians," and Christian Scientists. The traditions covered in each section are arranged chronologically, according to the time they were founded or developed into their current form.

Assuming little prior knowledge of the faiths he discusses, Losch does an excellent job of condensing and clearly presenting each religion. He explains many theological terms that might be unfamiliar to readers, and he provides pronunciation guides for foreign words and names. The book can be read straight through or used as a reference tool for looking up particular faiths.

Readable and informative, The Many Faces of Faith provides an ideal starting point for objective inquiry into the richness of human spirituality worldwide.

Richard R. Losch is retired as rector of St. James' Episcopal Church in Livingston, Alabama.