The study of religions is as integral to our shared humanity as it is to our world citizenship.
As both a wellspring of hope and as an author of tragedy, religion has profoundly shaped the great civilizations of human history. An unequivocal force in the ancient world, religion continues to fire the imagination of millions in our own time and remains a fascinating index of human aspiration and creativity.
In this captivating audio course, Catholic theologian Prof. Peter A. Huff, Ph.D. delves into theories about the origin and nature of religion, basic principles of religious studies, and the necessity of interreligious dialogue in the contemporary world.
Over the course of this comprehensive 24-lecture series, you will explore the many myths, rites, beliefs, ethical codes, worldviews, sacred institutions, and artistic achievements that underlie the human search for ultimate meaning. Along the way, you will encounter an extraordinary company of individuals from across the map: saints and sages, martyrs and mystics, reformers and restless souls.
Authoritative and accessible, these lectures present balanced perspectives. More than that, they help you recognize the lens through which you are viewing other traditions. Despite the breadth of its sweep, the series goes beyond a superficial tour of other cultures to take you off the beaten path.
"Peter Huff brings an extraordinary background to the study and practice of World Religions-both from his extensive research in the field and his personal experience. He knows at first hand the breadth of Roman Catholicism in America, the Evangelical Protestant traditions of the South, and the beauty of Buddhist and Hindu ways of seeking the Divine. Best of all, the invites the reader to value (an
Belden C. Lane, Professor Emeritus of Theological Studies, Saint Louis University
"I view Peter Huff as one of the leading scholars advocating for responsible religious dialogue and working to make a better world. Peter is able to capture critical ideas with great precision and force. He combines excellent scholarship with an eloquent style."
Harold Kasimow, George Drake emeritus professor of Religious Studies, Grinnell College
"Peter Huff consistently produces accessible, expert studies of religions in America. An engaging teacher, Huff introduces students to the entire spectrum of religious existence: beliefs, communities, rituals, and ethics. His scholarship is no different. His work encompasses and illuminates while advancing new analysis. Huff's clear presentation style belies his subjects' complexities."
Jeffrey Marlett, Professor of Religious Studies, The College of Saint Rose
