The Universe Next Door: A Basic Worldview Catalog, 5th Edition - Softcover

Sire, James W.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0830838503 ISBN 13: 9780830838509

Publisher: IVP Academic, 2009

• Voted one of Christianity Today's 1998 Books of the Year

For more than thirty years, The Universe Next Door has set the standard for a clear, readable introduction to worldviews. In this new fifth edition James Sire offers additional student-friendly features to his concise, easily understood introductions to theism, deism, naturalism, Marxism, nihilism, existentialism, Eastern monism, New Age philosophy and postmodernism. Included in this expanded format are a new chapter on Islam and informative sidebars throughout. The book continues to build on Sire's refined definition of worldviews from the fourth edition and includes other updates as well, keeping this standard text fresh and useful. In a world of ever-increasing diversity, The Universe Next Door offers a unique resource for understanding the variety of worldviews that compete with Christianity for the allegiance of minds and hearts. The Universe Next Door has been translated into over a dozen languages and has been used as a text at over one hundred colleges and universities in courses ranging from apologetics and world religions to history and English literature. Sire's Naming the Elephant: Worldview as a Concept provides a useful companion volume for those desiring a more in-depth discussion of the nature of a worldview.

About the Author:

James W. Sire (Ph.D., University of Missouri), formerly a senior editor at InterVarsity Press, is an active speaker and writer. He has taught English, philosophy, theology and short courses at many universities and seminaries. His other books include Naming the Elephant: Worldview as a Concept,, Discipleship of the Mind, Why Should Anyone Believe Anything at All?, Habits of the Mind: Intellectual Life as a Christian Calling, Why Good Arguments Often Fail and A Little Primer on Humble Apologetics.

Review:

"Read as a whole it traces a convincing history of the evolution of worldviews (particularly in the West), as well as providing a robust defence of the enduring validity of the Christian faith . . . an excellent introduction." (Dr. Alan Kerry, Faith Thought, October 2010)

"For more than thirty years, The Universe Next Door has set the standard for a clear, readable introduction to worldviews. Sire offers additional student-friendly features to his concise, easily understood introductions to theism, deism, naturalism, Marxism, nihilism, existentialism, Eastern monism, New Age philosophy and postmodernism." (Rev. Paul J. Cain, Liturgy, Hymnody, and Pulpit Quarterly Book Review, August 2010)

"For anyone concerned to understand the culture in which we are called to work and witness, which ought to be all of us, this is still an indispensable resource." (David McKay, The Covenanter Witness, June 2010)

"Revised and updated to include a new chapter on Islam by a contributing author, and incorporates developments about the worldview notion from Sire's Naming the Elephant." (Reference Research Book News, February 2010)

"The most readable presentation of alternative systems that I have ever seen." (Russ Bush)

"To think intelligently today is to think worldviewishly, to come to terms with the mosaic of meaning systems which make up modern thinking. This book is a clear introduction and invaluable guide." (Os Guinness)

"If you are looking for an introductory exposition of prominent worldviews, I know of no better book." (Nicholas Wolterstorff)

PRAISE FOR THE FIRST EDITION:

"A most magnificently useful book." (E. M. Blaiklock)