Flourishing: Why We Need Religion in a Globalized World

This is a fascinating book by Volf on globalization and religion. Does religion play a positive role in globalization? Is it possible for multiple religions to contribute for the common good (political pluralism) while holding tight to their religious beliefs (religious exclusivism)? These are the types of questions that Volf takes up in Flourishing. He has written from a strictly Christian perspective in another work (A Public Faith) but here tries to write more broadly by appealing to the worlds major religions – Buddhism, Hinduism, Confucianism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam (though recognizing other religions as important to the conversation as well).Early on he makes a strong case that religions are not, by their nature, opposed to globalization, but rather are a major contributing (early) force. For Christians, the “great commission” serves as a great reminder of this. However, the global market is now the primary shaper of globalization. For this reason, religion becomes extremely important in pushing and challenging the “moral character of the market” by it’s vision of the good life, or – human flourishing. Drawing from several sources, he does a great job of portraying the ways in which various religious forces help shape the market for the good.But can these religions do this together? This is such an important question to ask in our times. Volf’s writings on the topic are more philosophically and sociologically driven than theologically. I had wished for more theology in this book (as in Rabbi Jonathan Sack’s Not In My Name), but it was still very engaging. I felt chapter 3 was wonderfully written. His writings on the “golden rule” and witness, or his ‘rules’ (my term) of respect for dealing with other religions were fantastic. However, I found the fourth chapter less compelling. Here he makes his case (against Popper and Rousseau) that religious exclusivism and political pluralism are not incompatible. He draws practically from the example of Roger Williams (sixteenth-century) and in our times...the "Christian Right.” “Important for my purposes here” writes Volf “is that religious exclusivism of the Christian Right does not prevent it from participating in the democratic process in a way that unquestionably displays the virtues of pluralistic democracy.” But does it remain exclusively ‘Christian’ while doing so? I’m not so sure. What I don’t see Volf doing is engaging religion as it’s own ‘politic.’ Can Christianity, for example, contribute to a pluralistic democracy while believing in the “Politics of Jesus” (to use Yoder’s term). I was unclear as to how this played out. Volf later claims that “the single most significant factor determining whether a religion will be implicated in violence is this: the level of its identification with a political project and its entanglement with the agents striving to realize that project. The more identified a religion is with these, the more likely it will be for even the most peaceful religion to ‘take up the gun’” (p. 189). I agree. Overall, I believe that Volf means (as stated early on in the book) that religions can and should help shape the force and market of globalization with their common beliefs (while not letting go of their differences), but how this actually plays out within politics – and if religions have their own politic – is what I felt needed further clarification.His final chapter dealing with "Conflict, Violence, and Reconciliation” was – as could be expected – superb (as was his epilogue). Overall the book was quite compelling. I am grateful to the voices which remain strong within their various traditions who yet recognize the importance of writing of our commonality (love of other, for example) in these turbulent times.

Fantastic book from a highly intelligent Christian theologian! This type of book is very helpful in the growing need for cross-cultural and interfaith conversation. Just because we disagree with someone on even some important issues does not mean that we cannot be a good and loving friend to them and largely the presence of God in our lives and faith should encourage that interaction and not discourage it. We should also be open to criticism especially if we expect to give it, and we should be open to people changing their mind on belief and decisions as they process the world around them. These decisions should not be made rashly, but sometimes, they really need to be made especially after a catastrophic event or the presentation of new facts and/or information. Highly recommend this book, and it is needed in an increasingly global world where we will have neighbors who are Muslim, Hindu, Protestant, Catholic, Gay (not a different faith but this people group historically has problems with many different people of faith backgrounds), Agnostics, Atheists, etc. Can we get along with someone of a different faith or are we doomed to be their enemy. Volf submits that an increasingly strong faith in God will or should lead to more peace and less division instead of conflict and division as it has many times in the past. I would like to agree with him and think that the most important step forward in all of this is growing in relationship with God, searching out the details of your faith, and doing this within the context of community (involving both members of your own faith background and members of other faith backgrounds).

Very timely and beautifully argued this book approaches the issue of how religion is necessary but how the pitfalls of competition might be avoided by setting some rules for respect and mutual recognition. Wonderfully thought out and clearly described analyses of what religion is, the kinds and conflicts between them, how important they are to the social structure, what might be done in order to more peacefully form a United Nations like relationship between the world religions and solve some of the serious crises we face. This book should be mandatory for all thinking human beings and even some non thinking ones.

I needed this book for class and the conversations on morality are unbelieveable.

Volf engages the needed conversation adeptly and admirably - human freedom and religious expression have an entangled history. Getting the relationship right between them matters immensely for the well-being and security of all bio-systems, most especially human societies.

Got as a required text for my daughters college world religion class. Condition was as expected and it arrived quickly. Great price.

The one thing I like is the Kindle version, I can read easily.

A needed discussion for our time. His background gives him perspective.

Thanks

Insightful

An important book, a compelling book, should be part of every faith community's group study.....