The Modern Scholar

Judaism, Christinanity and Islam

By: Professor Frank E. Peters

Narrated by: Frank E. Peters

Attempting to understand religion in all its forms has forever been a source of frustration. In this course, Professor F.E. Peters defines Judaism, Christianity, and Islam as three faith communities of believers, each with its own ideology, history, traditions, and members - past and present.

Professor Peters' extensive studies of these three monotheistic religious communities allow him to offer a comprehensive series of lectures beginning with Creation and ending with the Final Judgment. The history proper of the three communities of Jews, Christians, and Muslims begins with God's Covenant with Abraham. It continues with the birth, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus. When Saul, later called Paul, begins accepting Gentiles into the community of Jesus, the Christians are formed as a separation from the main body of the Jewish community. Once Christianity was identified as a new religion, it was no longer protected by the same laws that were extended to the Jews. Until the beginning of the fourth century, Christians were persecuted by suspicious and intolerant Romans. Force and violence are again linked with religion when Muhammad, the Muslim prophet, struck out militarily against those who rejected his claims to prophethood.

This course examines the similarities and differences between each community and traces their evolutions through history. In this course, Professor Peters leads listeners through a comprehensive study of the origins, characteristics, and primary texts of each of these fundamentally monotheistic religious communities. As Peters concludes, only by understanding their similarities and differences can we hope to make sense of the politics of religion which continue to fuel conflicts throughout the world.

Download the accompanying reference guide.©2003 F.E. Peters (P)2003 Recorded Books, LLC

Very informative!

I enjoyed listening to this lecture. I somewhat expected it to be a little boring, but it held my interest very easily.

Well argued and discussed

If Every Christian, Jews and Muslims listen to this audio book, we will all live in peace.

A good intro to the 3 monotheistic religions

This is a good lecture for beginners. Provides an understanding of the roots of each religion and its relationship to the others.

Great introduction

Any additional comments?

Great introduction to the three religions, their similarities and differences. My only addition would be a lecture of the various splits or sects in each. It was briefly discussed throughout the series but more detail would have been a great addition. Besides that, a great listen.

WITNESS TO THE TRUTH

Organized religion is a puzzle wrapped in a conundrum. The puzzle lies in a common religious belief that says there is only one God; the conundrum is that the three largest one-God’ religions refuse to peacefully accept their differences and either kill or banish those who do not follow their beliefs. Which among the three have witnesses to the truth?

Frank E. Peters is a 1961 PhD graduate in Islamic Studies from Princeton with a BA and Masters degree in Greek and Latin from St. Louis University. Peters chronologically recounts the history of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. All three religions have text to provide a foundation for their beliefs. Jews rely on the “Torah”, which is a part of the “Old Testament”; Christians rely on the “Old Testament” as modified and expanded by the “New Testament”; Islam relies on the “Quran” which is codified by a Caliph twenty years after the death of Muhammad.

Peters does not take sides in his lectures on the three major monotheistic religions. However, his presentation reinforces one’s belief that organized religion is a harbinger of death and destruction. All three religions have or have had armies to enforce their religious beliefs. Jews formed an army when Israel became a State; Christians fought the crusades by using nobleman that accepted the faith. The Pope’s peace of 2012 is more a function of social constraint than religious tolerance; Turkish Islamist’s conducted a Jihad that killed thousands of Armenians (some say 1.5 million) in the early 20th century and Iran threatens destruction of Israel today. All three organized religions have blood on their hands.

Even though one may fervently believe in God as the Prime Mover of the universe, organized religion is a 21st century obstacle to the Truth; i.e. a believer that seeks to be a “witness to the truth” can only stand and wait.

Spectacular!

Would you listen to The Modern Scholar again? Why?

Yes! Spectacular professor - wonderful learning! Clear, to the point course. Perfect to beginners to the subject, in depth for those familiar with the subject. Loved it!

Concept - "A"; Delivery - "C"

As a lengthy monologue presenting a very sound thesis, the Audiobook is a great success. Tying together the 3 monotheistic traditions of Judaism, Islam, and Christianity with the knot of their common patriarchal ancestry, the author tells a fascinating tale which also provides much valuable information about the 3 faith communities. As a "course," however (which it purports to be), the Audiobook is disappointing because of its unorganized, off-the-cuff presentation. I found it impossible, at the end, to find all the answers to the "Final Exam" questions without using outside sources.

Good Job!

This author describes the history and differences of Judaism, Christianity and Islam in an understandable way. Excellent Job!

Get a layman's understanding of religious history

Would you consider the audio edition of The Modern Scholar to be better than the print version?

I am an audible leaner and I do not have time to sit and read. I am, consequently, an audio book officiendo. I cannot comment on whether the audio book is better than the text as I have not read the text version.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked the way the author ties together the origins of all three religions. He bases his book on facts and not his personal opinions.

What didn’t you like about the narrator’s performance?

The author should have let a professional narrator read the book for him. He stutered way too much because he was combining additional detailed thoughts in with his reading of the book. This made for a lot of

Any additional comments?

Great book for a fact person like myself.

Excellent discussion piece

Professor Peters does a fantastic job of asking these three "siblings to pose for a family picture". These lectures will not go into depth about the religious practices or beliefs, rather, it will spur an intimate discussion about the earthly humanistic manifestations. Structure, culture, history, and sects from all three religions are woven in to these lectures and discussed against or in respect to each other.

This book has gone beyond satisfying my interest in just what these religions are all about. I now have a workable understanding of current and contemporary religious ideologies and their underlying traditions.

Professor Peters talks faster than I would appreciate for the density of information (which is still very accessible), I recommend listening to this at .75 speed.