- Paperback: 259 pages
- Publisher: Intervarsity Press; 4 edition (October 2006)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0830827803
- ISBN-13: 978-0830827800
- Product Dimensions: 20.6 x 13.7 x 2.3 cm
- Shipping Weight: 136 g
- Average Customer Review: 1.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #440,308 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
Book Description
When The Universe Next Door was first introduced nearly thirty years ago, it set the standard for a clear, readable introduction to worldviews. In concise, easily understood prose, James W. Sire explained the basics of theism, deism, naturalism, nihilism, existentialism, Eastern monism and the new consciousness. The second edition was updated and expanded to include sections on Marxism and secular humanism, as well as a completely reworked chapter on what is now widely known as New Age philosophy rather than new consciousness. And the third edition offered further updating and revisions, including a thoroughly revised chapter on New Age philosophy and, perhaps most importantly, a new chapter on postmodernism. Now the fourth edition refines the definition of worldview itself, incorporating Sires thinking and teaching during the past decade. (His recent work is showcased in a new book, Naming the Elephant, also published by IVP.) The Universe Next Door has been translated into several languages and has been used as a text at over one hundred colleges and universities in courses ranging from apologetics and world religions to history and English literature. With the publication of the fourth edition, this book will continue to aid students, teachers and anyone who wants to understand the variety of worldviews that compete with Christianity for the allegiance of our minds and hearts. 7hrs. 53 min
--This text refers to the
Audio CD
edition.
From AudioFile
This fourth edition of Sire's work continues his investigation into, and comparison of, different world belief systems or "worldviews" ("Weltanschauung" in the German.) The author examines and explains the basics of such "isms" as theism, deism, existentialism, "New Age" philosophy, and postmodernism. Grover Gardner, who is never one to disappoint his readers, doesn't miss a beat in this production. Sire's work is an easy-to-read work, and Gardner reads as though he is the author. He has the confidence of someone who has command of his subject. His subtly expressive voice is deliberate, but never pedantic. M.T.F. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine
--This text refers to the
Audio CD
edition.
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Most helpful customer reviews
0 of 2 people found the following review helpful
1.0 out of 5 stars
Open theism, not Christian theism,
By
This review is from: The Universe Next Door: A Basic Worldview Catalog (Paperback)
I was very intrigued by this book when reading a review on a very trustworthy Christian bookstore website (Discerning Reader). I must say that while the presentations of most of the worldviews discussed are fairly good to very good overviews, the Christian theism that Sire expresses is the God-dishonoring open theism that has nearly stripped American Christianity of its power and meaning. He repeatedly says that God intervenes in history, but that nothing is determined. That is horribly wrong on so many levels that I can't even bring myself to call what is represented as Christian theism as even being truly Christian. We are shown throughout Scripture that things from the way and people saved are pre-determined, the death/burial/resurrection was pre-determined etc. and yet Sire not only doesn't touch on these issues, he universally dismisses the entire possibility of them. I would strongly recommend that any Christian wanting to understand the basis for their faith to steer clear of this unfathomably heretical work.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta) Amazon.com:
3.7 out of 5 stars (32 customer reviews) 16 of 20 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
On the Road to Find Out,
By Gord Wilson "alivingdog.com" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Universe Next Door: A Basic Worldview Catalog (Paperback)
From the reviews I've read, some readers want this book to be something it's not. I'm much more excited about what it uniquely is: a brief overview of various philosophies (usually embodied in religions) about what's going on.James Sire was head of InterVarsity Press, which was/ is? related to Britain's SCM Press, and which is related to InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, an evangelical student organization which exists on many college campuses. Right out of the box Sire tips his hand, revealing his own views (as opposed to those books where the author covertly tries to influence the reader). On the other hand, those looking for an apologetics book in support of the Christian world view will be disappointed (there are plenty of other books that take that tack and fill that niche for the enquiring reader). What it is: an admirable if brief overview of comparative religions, which is to say how various people at various times have posed and answered (or theorized) about what seem to be perennial human questions. At the beginning of his book Mind and Nature, Gregory Bateson tells how his father would read the Bible at breakfast every morning so his kids wouldn't grow up to be "empty-headed atheists". Sire's book, on the other hand, will help readers not to be "empty-headed believers". Sire took his title from a line from E.E. Cummings: "There's a hell of a good universe next door; let's go. I took my title from a Cat Stevens song. The searchin' 'sixties are over, someone may object, but what goes around comes around, and in our present age of non-meaning (nihilism), many seem again on the road to find out. 7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Christian analysis of other presuppositions,
By Mr. Jason D. Ward - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Universe Next Door: A Basic Worldview Catalog (Paperback)
There are a number of reviewers who are under the impression that the only way to write a world-view catalog is from an objective position which has no bias at all.This is unfortunate, because the book tries to show us how everyone has a presuppositional bias: there is no objective middle ground from which to weigh up the others. This was required reading as a theology student, and I found it useful. His 7 questions are powerful and useful in deconstructing longer texts, but other sets of questions are more useful and easily deployed in analyzing world-views on a regular basis, such 1) what is my relationship to creation in this view 2) what is my relationship to other people in this view 3) what is my relationship to God in this view. Another useful one is 1) What is the problem 2) What can save us/them from the problem 3) What does the world look like once it is saved? Personally, I found it helpful to realize that not everyone thinks like me, and to use this book as a very useful quick guide to the way others may think. Of course he generalizes. Of course he is simplistic. But he is also helpful. I recommend. To those who criticize this book as validating Christians in their blinkered view, I suggest finding a different book to validate them in theirs. But isn't that rather Sire's point about us all having a world-view based on a series of assumptions which may or may not stack up? 9 of 11 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great intro to worldview thought,
By shoebear "amateur philosopher" - Published on Amazon.com
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This review is from: The Universe Next Door: A Basic Worldview Catalog (Paperback)
Some reviewers expect a book like this to be all things to all people. This is not a scholarly reference; it is instead an introduction to and catalog of many of the common worldviews in the West today, written from a Christian perspective. It gives the basic ideas of each and shows how they are related -- one flows from another. As such, he does indeed give short shift to many thoughts and ideas -- even theism. But if you are upset about his treatment, go read some books that specialize in that worldview. It's a wine tasting, not a full meal; so don't complain that your stomach is not filled.Instead, the book gives a coherent, easy to ready, midlevel survey. It is an ideal way to introduce a teen or young adult into the world of philosophy, history of western thought, religion, etc. It can capture the interest and heart of a young person and spur them to dive deeper. Before long they will be reading my own heros, Alvin Plantinga and Robert M. Adams. Philosophy, history, theology, and sociology are all very big and very satisfying study areas. You can't expect a neophyte to understand it all at once. This book allows young people to tap into the wonder and thirst for more. It's especially appropriate for Christians, but many non-Christians can read it and benefit. |
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