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Examines how five religious traditions understand miracles

Table of Contents

Preface 1 Preliminary Considerations 2 Hinduism: Signs of Spiritual Liberation 3 Judaism: Signs of Covenant 4 Buddhism: Signs of Transcendent Wisdom 5 Christianity: Signs of Divine Presence 6 Islam: Signs of Divine Authority Afterword Notes Bibliography Index About the Author

About the Author

David L. Weddle is Professor Emeritus of Religion at Colorado College, where he taught courses in philosophy of religion, ethics, comparative religious studies, and American religions. He is the author of Miracles:Wonder and Meaning in World Religions (NYU Press, 2010) and holds lifetime honorary membership in the American Academy of Religion.

Reviews

"In a pluralistic world, Weddle presents an engaging study of what millions of religious people in the world believe about miracles even while others do not. This comprehensive history of miracles for both believers and skeptics should appeal not only to academics but also to anyone interested in the enigmas of faith." - Publishers Weekly, 14th June 2010

A professor at Colorado College, Weddle (The Law as Gospel) examines the stories of miracles among the gurus, rebbes, bodhisattvas, saints, and imams of Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam through the centuries. Finding a common ground in the definition that "a miracle is an event of transcendent power that arouses wonder and carries religious significance for those who witness it or hear or read about it," he examines each tradition through the same lens. The author explores the mysterious healings in the waters at Lourdes and those effected by evangelists Aimee Semple McPherson and Oral Roberts, and explains why Sunnis, Shiites, and Sufis disagree about the nature of miracles in Islam. This far-ranging book is also well-organized, with summaries at the end of each chapter. In a pluralistic world, Weddle presents an engaging study of what millions of religious people in the world believe about miracles even while others do not. This comprehensive history of miracles for both believers and skeptics should appeal not only to academics but also to anyone interested in the enigmas of faith. (July) Copyright 2010 Reed Business Information.