In the Beginning God
In the Beginning God
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Description
Christians believe that religion began when God created human beings and revealed himself to them. But is there scholarly evidence for this belief? In the nineteenth century academic world a stormy debate took shape over the origin of religion. Scholars explored the ancient languages of mythology and than considered evolutionary anthropology. A dominant view emerged that religion began with animism -- the reverent honoring of spirits -- and from there evolved into higher forms, from polytheism on to monotheism. However, scholars Andrew Lang and Wilhem Schmidt contended there were cultures throughout the world -- pygmy people in Africa and Asia, certain Australian Aboriginal groups and Native American tribes -- that originated as monotheistic, acknowledging the existence of one supreme God who created the world and holds people accountable for living morally upright lives. The debate wore on, and Schmidt, a member of the Catholic order and a priest, was accused (without evidence) of letting his faith interpret the facts. By the mid-twentieth century a silent consensus formed among scholars not to discuss the origin and evolution of religion any further. The discoveries of Lang and Schmidt have since been largely ignored. However, the evidence on which these scholars based their conclusion of monotheism is still out there. In the Beginning God attempts to educate Christians about the debate on this topic, the facts that were accepted and those that were ignored, and the use to which Christians can put all of this material in making a case for the truth of Christianity.
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Additional Information
UPC: 9780805447781Pages: 400Brand : LifeWayProduct Category: Bible StudyCondition: New
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About the Author
'Winfried Corduan (Ph.D., Rice University) is professor emeritus of Philosophy and Religion at Taylor University in Upland, Indiana.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does 'In the Beginning God' provide scholarly evidence for monotheism?
Yes, the book presents scholarly research and arguments from scholars like Andrew Lang and Wilhem Schmidt, who suggest that certain cultures began with a belief in one supreme God rather than evolving from animism.
- Who is the author of 'In the Beginning God'?
- What is the main focus of 'In the Beginning God'?
The main focus of the book is to educate Christians about the historical debate on the origin of religion and to present evidence supporting the case for original monotheism.
- What historical debates are discussed in the book?
The book discusses the 19th-century academic debates regarding the origins of religion, contrasting the views that religion evolved from animism to polytheism to monotheism.
- Who would benefit from reading 'In the Beginning God'?
This book is particularly beneficial for Christians seeking to understand the scholarly discourse surrounding the origins of religion and how it relates to their faith.
