WORLD S CRIPTURE

A Comparative Anthology of Sacred Texts

Dr. Andrew Wilson, Editor
International Religious Foundation, 1991

• Synopsis
• Title Page
• This Archive
• Advisors and Contributors
• Foreword by Ninian Smart
• Essay: World Scripture and Education for Peace
• How to obtain a printed (hardbound/paperback) version

INTRODUCTION

• The Purpose of World Scripture
• The Organization of World Scripture
• The World's Religions and Their Scriptures
• Acknowledgements
• Notes

Invocation
Prologue: Many Paths to One Goal
The Truth in Many Paths
Tolerance and Respect for All Believers

PART ONE: Ultimate Reality and the Purpose of Human Existence

C HAPTER 1: Ultimate Reality

• Traces of God's Existence
• The One
• Formless, Emptiness, Mystery
• Transcendent, All-Pervasive Reality
• Sovereign and Omnipotent
• Omniscient
• Immanent and Near at Hand
• Eternal -- in a World of Transience
• The Creator
• Goodness and Love
• Divine Father and Mother

CHAPTER 2: Divine Law, Truth, and Cosmic Principle

• Eternal Truth
• Moral Law
• The Decalogue
• The Golden Rule
• Polarity, Relationality, and Interdependence
• Cosmic Justice

CHAPTER 3: The Purpose of Life for the Individual

• Joy and Happiness
• For God's Good Pleasure
• Image of God and Temple of God
• Inborn Goodness and Conscience
• Original Mind, No Mind
• Perfection
• True Love

CHAPTER 4: The Purpose of Life in the Family and in Society

• The Family
• Parents and Children
• Husband and Wife
• Friendship
• Unity and Community
• Equality
• The People of God
• The Ideal Society

CHAPTER 5: The Purpose of Life in the Natural World

• The Sanctity of Nature
• Reverence for Life
• The Microcosm
• Dominion
• The Lord of Spirits
• Creation Rejoices

CHAPTER 6: Life Beyond Death and the Spiritual World

• The Spiritual World: Mystery, Multiplicity, Analogy, Harmony
• The Immortal Soul
• Prepare Now for Eternity
• Passage Beyond
• Heaven
• Hell
• Spiritual Benefactors
• Spiritual Error and the Occult

PART TWO: Evil, Sin, and the Human Fall

CHAPTER 7: The Human Condition

• Ill
• The War Within
• Ignorance
• Idolatry
• Pride and Egotism
• Selfish Desire, Lust, and Greed

CHAPTER 8: Fall and Deviation

• The Human Fall
• Demonic Powers
• Heresy
• Degraded Human Nature
• God's Grief

CHAPTER 9: The Major Sins

• Good and Evil
• Adultery
• Murder
• Theft
• Lying and Deceit
• Hypocrisy
• Slander, Gossip, and Foul Speech
• Addiction

PART THREE: Salvation and the Savior

CHAPTER 10: Salvation-Liberation-Enlightenment

• Grace
• Universal Salvation
• Atonement and Forgiveness of Sins
• Healing
• Liberation
• Enlightenment
• Crossing the Waters
• Reversal and Restoration
• Peace
• Help and Deliverance
• The Refining Fire
• Born Anew
• Eternal Life
• The Unitive State

CHAPTER 11: The Founder

• Call and Awakening
• Rejected by the World
• The Victor
• He Who Subjugates Satan
• The Revealer of Truth
• The Man for Others
• The Living Presence
• The Person and Character of the Founder: Divine Person
• Human Person
• The Succession of Founders and Messengers

PART FOUR: The Religious Life

CHAPTER 12: Responsibility and Predestination

• Decision
• Individual Responsibility
• Synergy
• Predestination
• Karma and Inherited Sin
• Duty

CHAPTER 13: Self-cultivation and Spiritual Growth

• Spiritual Growth
• Cultivate the Good
• Sincerity
• Purity
• Self-Control
• Preparing the Start
• Vigilance
• Perseverance and Patience

CHAPTER 14: Faith

• Faith
• Devotion and Praise
• Fear, Submission, and Obedience
• Anxiety
• Gratitude
• Argument with God

CHAPTER 15: Wisdom

• The Search for Knowledge
• Scripture and Tradition
• Poverty of Conceptual Learning
• Scripture Teaches in Parables
• Learning and Practice
• Teacher and Disciple
• New Wine and Old Wineskins

CHAPTER 16: Worship

• Prayer
• The Name of God
• Meditation
• Ritual
• Beyond Ritual

CHAPTER 17: Offering and Sacrifice

• Offering
• Donations
• Self-Sacrifice
• Persecution and Martyrdom

CHAPTER 18: Self-Denial and Renunciation

• Self-denial and No-self
• Repentance, Confession, and Restitution
• Humility
• Restraint and Moderation
• Control Anger
• Subdue Desires and Passions
• Detachment from the Senses
• Renunciation of Wealth
• Asceticism and Monasticism
• Separation from Family
• Separation from the World

CHAPTER 19: Live for Others

• Loving-kindness
• Serving Others
• Sacrificial Love
• Giving and Receiving
• Charity and Hospitality
• Forgiveness and Reconciliation
• Judge Not
• Love Your Enemy
• Turn the Other Cheek
• Good Deeds
• Labor and Industry
• Honesty and Expediency
• Witness

PART FIVE: Providence, Society, and the Kingdom of Heaven

CHAPTER 20: Good Government and the Welfare of Society

• The Pillars of Society
• The Prophet and Reformer
• War Against Evil
• Respect for Legitimate Governments
• Government by Divine Law
• Consideration for the People
• Leadership by Example and Honest Government
• Judgments and Punishments
• Providence and the Mandate of Heaven

CHAPTER 21: Eschatology and Messianic Hope

• Tribulation
• The Last Judgment
• The Messiah
• The Kingdom of Heaven

  IRF material (c) Copyright 1991