Hinduism and Christianity (Themes in Comparative Religion)

This title looks at two of the greatest religions of mankind in terms of their number of adherents: Hinduism, which is largely restricted to India, and Christianity, which has spread worldwide.
The contrasts between the two seem on the surface to be vast, but when we look more closely we find that certain themes are of central concern to both. These are the themes this book explores. It demonstrates how they are treated in both religions, showing the diversity of approach within each and how they interrelate.
Starting from the most basic issue of the nature of the divine, successive chapters then look at divine interaction with mankind, authority and mediation, devotionalism and personal piety, meditation and asceticism, social values and morality, and meaning and ends. The final chapter surveys the history of contact and dialogue between the two religions from as early as the third century AD up to the present.
This fascinating subject matter is handled in a manner that serves to highlight the rich variety of both traditions and provides an accurate, yet readable, account of the material. The approach is basically scholarly but not purely academic: attention is paid both to the history of the two religions and to their current positions and practice. The presentation is consistent and clear, ensuring that the book will be of real interest to a wide readership.