"World Religions in Seven Sentences" by Douglas Groothuis is a compact yet profound exploration of the major world religions and atheism, presenting each through a single, emblematic sentence. This innovative approach offers a concise yet surprisingly deep dive into the essence of each belief system, making the book an ideal starting point for anyone seeking a foundational understanding of global religious landscapes.

Groothuis, a respected philosopher and professor, demonstrates his expertise in distilling complex religious doctrines into digestible insights. Each religion is introduced through a significant sentence – from "God Is Dead" for Atheism to "There Is One God, and Mohammad Is His Prophet" for Islam. These sentences act as portals, opening up discussions that delve into the core beliefs and practices of each faith, including Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Daoism, and Christianity.

The brilliance of this book lies in its simplicity and depth. Groothuis achieves a rare balance, making each religion accessible to the novice while providing fresh perspectives for the more knowledgeable reader. His approach is sympathetic yet critical, offering a Christian perspective that is respectful but not uncritical. This balance is crucial in fostering an environment of genuine interreligious dialogue and understanding.

In a world where religious literacy is increasingly important, "World Religions in Seven Sentences" serves as an invaluable resource. Groothuis's clear, accessible prose invites readers into a global conversation, encouraging a deeper appreciation of both the diversity and commonality of human spiritual experience.

Critically, the book doesn't just educate; it also invites reflection. By presenting each religion through a single, thought-provoking sentence, Groothuis encourages readers to ponder the essence and implications of these beliefs. This method stimulates a more profound engagement with the material, making the book not just an academic read but a personal journey of discovery.

In conclusion, "World Religions in Seven Sentences" is a masterfully crafted introduction to the world's major religions and atheism. Its unique format, combined with Groothuis's scholarly yet approachable writing style, makes it an essential read for anyone seeking to understand the diverse tapestry of global belief systems. This book is a testament to the power of simplicity in revealing complexity, and it stands as a crucial guide in our increasingly interconnected and pluralistic world.

This review is based on an ARC provided by IVP Academic and NetGalley.

This book gives an overview of six major religions/philosophies, comparing them to the seventh, Christianity. I found some of the information to be rather basic, but there was also some information I had not heard before. Overall, the book is good for those seeking a basic understanding of the religions discussed.

I had some difficulty getting through this book. I found the writing to be less than engaging and at times had to force myself to continue. It was written at a more academic level, with a vocabulary that reminds the reader the author has an PhD. Nonetheless, I am glad I read it.

As someone who is interested and involved in interfaith work, I was eager to read this title. Sadly I can't recommend this book because it is written through a Christian lens which for me largely negates the value of this title.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest opinion.

Does a great job of giving a clear summary of each religion and its views, noting distinct qualities and struggles to understand each. Notably, he includes a chapter on atheism, recognizing that it is a distinct worldview with particular repercussions (even if adherents dislike the idea of it beng called a religion)
His explanations use clear language ("Hinduism is a deep and murky well whose bottom is hard to find") and dramatic anecdotes (Nietzche embracing a horse to protect it from a flogging). Not meant as a deep exploration, more an introduction to get readers thinking, and it does that very well.

I chose World Religions in Seven Sentences knowing it was published by a Christian publisher, so I was neither surprised nor disappointed that the author examined the seven worldviews he chose through a Christian lens. However, I do think he missed the mark too many times for me to ever recommend this title.

On the very first page, the author asserts that "we need to know something—beyond cliches—about...the major world religions to be good neighbors." Unfortunately, throughout the volume, he spends as much time (or more) "disproving" religious tenets than actually outlining or exploring them. I don't know about you, but if someone tried to be a "good neighbor" to me by putting forth a (questionable) logical argument against my worldview, I would seriously question their notion of neighborliness. (As a side note, I put "disproving" in quotes and included a parenthetical "questionable" because, time and again, one of the logical arguments against a given belief/perspective was that it didn't align with the Bible. And, I mean, fair enough, this is a Christian author and publishing house, but "this goes against Christian scripture" is not, in fact, logical proof.)

Beyond this, which was a consistent frustration throughout the book, I also questioned some of the seven sentences that were used to characterize the religions. For example, when considering atheism, we are confronted with Nietzsche's "God is dead," which seems chosen not because it somehow captures modern atheist thinking (it does not) but because it is recognizable and easy to challenge Biblically. So then, why this statement? Why not something from modern atheistic philosophy? (Christopher Hitchens's "God is not Great" comes to mind.)

My reading notes were also riddled with observations like:
—"Off-topic and no evidence provided,"
—"but...there is NO WAY to know what would/wouldn't have happened in an alternate past," and
—"one wildly personal experience cannot be the basis for such a strong generalization."

Overall, I found this book frustrating; not bad, exactly, but disappointing.

One common accusation against Christians is their lack of understanding of other religions. They wonder how Christians can accept Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life when they have not explored the other religious angles. Is it fair to accept one without first considering the others? Plus, how could Christians relate to a person of another faith? How do we understand another faith perspective without misrepresenting them? This book is a resource to help promote better understanding in an increasingly pluralistic society. In a society that guarantees freedom of religion, it is crucial to be respectful of other beliefs. What better way than to get some basic understanding of others to facilitate goodwill and neighbourliness. For author Douglas Groothuis, this book is an attempt to equip us with a basic knowledge of the positions of seven common beliefs in our society. If we are to practice loving our neighbours, it would mean learning to be respectful of their beliefs in our civil interactions with them. Hopefully, that would translate into behaviours that display class and tact, without compromising the Christian faith. This is increasingly important due to the multireligious environments created by immigration, global movements, and connections via the Internet. Groothuis does this by addressing the central doctrines of each position and their versions of truth. He then responds from a Christian perspective. These seven are Atheism, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Daoism, Islam, and Christianity.

1) Atheism: "God is Dead."
2) Judaism: "I Am Who I Am."
3) Hinduism: "You are That."
4) Buddhism: "Life is Suffering."
5) Daoism: "The Dao that can be spoken is not the Eternal Dao."
6) Islam: "There is One God, and Muhammad is His Prophet."
7) Christianity: "Before Abraham Was, I Am."

He begins with Atheism which simply declares there is no God. Based on the philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche, Groothuis describes the background of the renowned German philosopher who is one of the fiercest critics of religions, aiming particularly at Christianity and Judaism. If Nietzsche is right, then it also means the rest of the religious world would be wrong. After presenting the core elements of Nietzsche's arguments, Groothuis then responds with counterarguments. On Judaism, the author focuses on the use of names. Names in Judaism are crucial for they encapsulate the identity and meaning of a person. Going back to respected Jewish figures such as Maimonides and Heschel, Groothuis brings out some of the most salient aspects of Jewish beliefs. In contrast to Atheism and other religions like Buddhism and Hinduism, God as the I Am is revealed as a Personal Being. There is a summary of the "thirteen principles of faith" which should provide a concise description of the faith. Hinduism is described as "a big tent with six pegs," meaning it has six tenets of faith. With the proliferation of many gods in the belief, even Jesus is proclaimed and accepted as a legitimate divinity. The statement "You are That" points to a humanistic appeal to make oneself into a god. The idea is that we can find our true divinity in the inner self. This contrasts sharply with Christianity that we are nothing without God. On Buddhism, we come to the key purpose of Buddhism, which is to escape from all suffering because all of life is suffering. Groothuis takes us through the four noble truths and the ten monastic precepts. He compares and contrasts Buddha with Jesus and points out the many differences and incompatibilities between the two faiths. For instance, where Buddhism declares that all of life is suffering and we ought to find ways to escape it, Christianity says that life's suffering is due to sin and Jesus is the way to salvation. On Daoism, Groothuis notes that it is not a "missionary religion" but a tradition. It is a way of capturing the meaning of "ultimate reality." It is an impersonal principle that is collected in a book of 81 sayings called "Daodejing." It appeals to nature and to those who want to contemplate life for life itself. In Islam, the focus is on the one God and the one prophet. Covering the six tenets and five pillars, he gives us a broad overview of the beliefs about Allah and the prophet Muhammad. The key point of contention is the view of Jesus from Islam versus Christianity. The chapter on Christianity is understandably relatively long as it covers in depth the Person of Jesus Christ.

My Thoughts
==============
Is this a fair representation of the different faiths? For the length of the book, probably so. Each faith would require a serious volume (or volumes) to describe. Since this book is a condensed explanation of the faiths, there is a hard limit to what the author can include. Groothuis covers the basic tenets of each faith as concisely as possible. It cannot be as comprehensive as one might hope for. I would thus say that the coverage is respectable. Hopefully, it would provide a basic understanding of each faith in order to further the conversation. The purpose is not to become an expert on the topic but to be knowledgeable enough not to misrepresent the other side. Humility is important because many practitioners of the respective faiths are deeply committed to what they believe. Instead of trying to dumb down the others, perhaps try the "I don't necessarily agree but I understand where you are coming from." Groothuis's approach is to first present the basic doctrines of each religion before addressing them from the perspective of Christianity. He does not simply tell us but shows us how to engage with viewpoints different from ours. Is the reductionistic? Certainly. Any overviews or summaries will always be reductionistic. The difference lies in the degree. This book is aimed at Christians who want to be equipped with the basics of other faiths so that they can engage intelligently and respectfully with views different from theirs. For those wanting a quick reference, the concluding chapter offers a brief summary of each position.

Interestingly, Groothuis includes Daoism in one of his world religions list in this book. He might have taken a leaf out of James Sire's first of seven worldview questions. Looking at the seven chapters, three of them are about monotheistic faith (Christianity, Islam, Judaism); one atheist; one polytheist (Hinduism); and two religious-philosophical beliefs (Buddhism, Daoism). Readers might wonder about the exclusion of other religions such as animism, folk, indigenous, new age, new thought, paganism, etc. Maybe these can be covered in future editions.

As a brief introduction, this book should whet the appetite of those who just want a basic grasp of the seven basic beliefs. However, it should not be the only resource to be used. Plus, the one-sentence should be used mainly as a big idea picture for initial understanding.

Douglas Groothuis (PhD, University of Oregon) is professor of philosophy at Denver Seminary. He is the author of numerous books, including Christian Apologetics, Fire in the Streets, Philosophy in Seven Sentences, Unmasking the New Age, Truth Decay, On Pascal, On Jesus, and Walking Through Twilight. He has written for scholarly journals such as Religious Studies, Sophia, Research in Philosophy and Technology, Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, and Philosophia Christi, as well as for numerous popular magazines.

Rating: 4 stars out of 5.

conrade
This book has been provided courtesy of InterVarsity Press via NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

An interesting review of seven religions.

The chapter starts with a sentence that summarises the religion but then goes into more detail. Just enough detail to leave you wanted to explore more.

I'd be interested in reading more.

This is a brief introduction to seven world religions. As with the other books in this series, a sentence is used for each chapter which is then explained in connection to the theme of the chapter. I have already read several books in this series and thoroughly enjoyed them. The author writes in the final chapter that rather than giving a "bland summary" of the religions he has "sought to engage with them philosophically and comparatively from a Christian perspective." I think this needs to be stated in the book description. Groothuis is a Philosopher so his approach is playing to his strengths. The references the author provides in the book are very helpful. The brief overviews of world religions in the book are also useful. This book would be most useful for readers with, at least, an introductory background to philosophy.

World Religions in Seven Sentences is a great book to understand some of the biggest religions in the world. It does a summary of each by introducing them through the most famous or most important sentence from that religion. It compares some religions to other mentioned for a better understanding of the mentioned religions in the book.

Groothius is a great scholar of world religions from a Christian perspective. Short, simple without being simplistic, and never prone to reductionistic rhetoric, this volume is a gift to the church.

Why do people seek to learn about other religions? Knowing what others believe and how it affects their worldview is helpful as friends, colleagues, neighbors, travelers, and seekers. For instance, we may wonder: Why do Muslims fast for a month? What does karma mean to Hindus and Buddhists? Why do Jews, Muslims, and Christians fight over Israel and the West Bank? Do Atheists believe God is dead?

Douglas Groothuis, a professor of philosophy at Denver Seminary since 1993, encapsulates seven world religions into seven short phrases, then explains what they mean in his book, Seven World Religions in Seven Sentences. These lines are not always self-explanatory (compared to, say, Descartes’ famous “I think, therefore I am”). For example, the phrases range from obscure (Hinduism’s “You are that”) to easily memorized (Islam’s “There is one God, and Muhammad is his prophet”).

Groothuis does best when he provides lists: the Four Covenants of the Jews; Buddhism’s Four Noble Truths; the Six Tenets of Islam. He also explains how both Hindus and Buddhists believe in karma, though Siddhartha Gautama the Buddha rejected major parts of Hinduism in order to seek enlightenment.

As he says in the introduction, Groothuis provides his “evaluations of each faith” through his conviction that “truth is [only] found in the gospel of Jesus Christ.” That’s seemingly why the book begins with Atheism (not that “God is dead” but “there is no God and has never been”). As more Americans become unaffiliated to a particular religion, the author warns that “a world without God is ripe … [for] the most ruthless political oppression.”

He saves Islam for last. As the second-most popular religion in the world, Islam has similarities to the two other Abrahamic religions, Judaism and Christianity. It recognizes the prophets of the Hebrew Bible and its Qur’an talks of Jesus as a prophet of Allah. However, Muslim teachings deny Jesus’ crucifixion, resurrection, and place in the Trinity (the Godhead). Groothuis claims Jesus and Mohammad as being two of the most influential people in the world. However, he shows Jesus as a humble healer, while Mohammad is a destroyer and leader; “Allah is merciful” but the Christian “God is love.”

Seven World Religions in Seven Sentences provides a brief overview of different religions, but its Christian viewpoint introduces too much bias for non-Christian readers.

Prerelease book provided by NetGalley and IVP Academic for review consideration.

#WorldReligionsinSevenSentences #NetGalley

I didn't seriously think that world religions could be described in seven sentences, but I found the title intriguing and wondered how this book would be structured. Well, the author has taken seven 'world religions' and each one is headed up with a sentence that encapsulates its key message. This is followed by a chapter which elaborates on the themes of the religion. The author writes clearly about complex ideas, and I enjoyed his style of writing even when the subject matter was a little deep. I feel I would need to go over the chapters again, maybe even a couple of times, but what is written here is a very good springboard into further study.

However, this book is not for me and I won't be revisiting any of the chapters. The author states at the start that the book looks at these religions through the lens of Christianity. I am not a Christian so I didn't understand the points of reference he was using. Also he seemed to be writing for American readers, and as a non-American this cultural lens gave an added barrier to understanding.

One thing I would have liked is some discussion about how and why the seven religions were chosen. Is Atheism really a world religion? And if for example only 30,000 people in America identify as Daoists, and with relatively few around the world, why was Daoism included rather than other religions such as Paganism, Sikhism or others? I appreciate that in any selection such as this there are going to be people asking 'what about this one?' or 'why was that included?' but it would have been interesting to understand the selection process.

So overall if you are a Christian looking for a general overview of some of the world religions in relation to your own religion then you will probably find this an interesting and helpful book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-copy of this book for review.

First, a thank you to NetGalley and IVP Academic for providing this eBook for review.

This book looks at seven world religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Daoism, Islam, and Atheism) using a short sentence as a starting point for each. The author looks at these through the lens of a believer in Christianity, but I did not feel that this skewed his ideas or arguments in a negative way. The author’s intent was to introduce religions in a simple way, and not delve too deep or overwhelm the reader. The author includes some philosophical statements at the end of the book, which I found was a good introduction to philosophy for a novice such as myself.

I did, however, find reading this book a little hard going at times as I felt that some knowledge of Christianity was needed to fully understand where the author was coming from. Despite this, I really enjoyed reading this book, and would recommend it to anyone who wants a brief overview of these religions and how they fit in with a Christian worldview.

#WorldReligionsinSevenSentences #NetGalley

I think if I was at school, I would've made my friends read it before I did. Frankly speaking, it is the most digestible philosophical text on religion that I have read. And I believe it should be made compulsory to read in school. Many teens who keep wandering in the sphere of religion would make this their Bible, Quran, Bhagvad GIta, etc. Even I who was wandering in this field would've loved a companion book like this. Really the BEST READ FOR A YOUNG AUDIENCE.

This is a great overview of some of the most prevalent religions of our time. It goes deeper into topics that have a big impact in the religion he's covering. Overall, it was a good read without being too tedious like many academic titles get.

"World Religions in Seven Sentences" seeks to simplify each of the major world religions in 7 sentences. The book is written in a narrative Christian point of view, and the author is transparent about that up front. It is also written from an American Point-of-View and notes the establishment clause. Importantly, it points out that in a pluralistic society, Christians need to be respectful of other religions. I was expecting each of the sections to be organized differently, in more of a textbook type discussion. Rather, each of the sections was more narrative. Personally, this book did not meet the expectation of what I thought it was going to be.