Darrell J. Fasching Bücher

Throughout the last two millennia Christianity understood its divinely mandated mission to be "to conquer the world for Christ." Too often this proclamation led Christians to imagine that their goal must be the elimination of all non-Christians from the world through conversion or, when that fails, through coercion and violence (e.g., the Inquisition, the Crusades, anti-Semitic persecution, Western colonialism, etc.). At the beginning of the third millennium and an age of global diversity, Darrell J. Fasching argues that it is time for Christians to reject this view of their mission, along with the trail of prejudice and violence it has created, and replace militaristic metaphors of conquest with the biblical message of hospitality to the stranger. When we welcome the stranger, according to biblical teachings, we welcome God (Genesis 18:1-5), the Messiah (Matthew 25:35), or an angel of God (Hebrews 13:2). Fasching takes us on a journey through the stories of the Bible to show that diversity is God's covenant intention for humanity. Consequently, the mission of Christians must not be to convert or eliminate non-Christians but rather to welcome them as strangers, for a world without strangers is a world without God.

Engaging with fundamental ethical questions, this textbook explores the teachings of various world religions through narratives from historical and cultural contexts. It connects ancient stories, such as those from the Bhagavad Gita and the lives of Jesus and Buddha, to modern social activism. The updated edition includes discussions on globalization, ecological ethics, and Gandhian non-violence, while delving into the interrelations of different religious traditions. With a clear and accessible approach, it serves as a comprehensive introduction to comparative religious ethics.

Challenging traditional beliefs about salvation, this book argues that the gospel offers hope and redemption for all humanity, not just Christians. It explores the implications of a more inclusive understanding of divine grace and encourages readers to reconsider their views on judgment and eternal life. Through thought-provoking insights, the author invites a dialogue on faith, salvation, and the broader message of love and acceptance found in the gospel.

Explores the ambivalent legacy of indigenous peoples' natural rights articulated by Europeans in Spanish and English colonial contexts. It will appeal to scholars of religion, law, international relations, Latin America, history, and politics interested in early modern religious and legal arguments for the dispossession and freedom of Amerindians.