Scriptures of the West

CHAPTER 1 - ZOROASTRIANISM Introduction The Avesta Zoroastrian Creed Dualism Removal of Hair and Nails Removal of the Dead The Daily Prayer Pahlavi Writings The Chinvat Bridge, Heaven and Hell Creation and the Millennia Life of Zarathushtra Coming of Saoshyant Resurrection of the Dead, Final Judgment Six Ritual Obligations Virtues and Social Obligation Zurvan Writings Zurvan and his Twin Sons Glossary, Further Readings CHAPTER 2 - JUDAISM Introduction Books of Moses Creation: Genesis 1:1-2:3 Covenant with Noah: Genesis 9:1-17 Covenant with Abraham: Genesis 17:1-22 Passover and Exodus: Exodus 12:29-41, 15:5-29 Mosaic Covenant: Exodus 19, 20:1-17 Holiness Code: Leviticus 19:1-37 Conquest and United Kingdom Entry into Canaan: Joshua 1, 3 Song of Deborah: Judges 5:2-12 Davidic Covenant: 2 Samuel 7:8-16 Psalms Attributed to David: Psalms 8; 23; 27; 32; 51 Solomon's Temple: 1 Kings 4-6 Proverbs Attributed to Solomon: Proverbs 15 Divided Kingdom and Exile Elijah versus the Priests of Asherah and Baal: 1 Kings 16-18 Isaiah's Warning to Judah: Isaiah 1:1-9, 18-21; 6 Babylonian Conquest and Exile: 2 Kings 24:8-20; 25:1-17 Remembering Zion: Psalms 137 Return from Exile and Restoration: Ezra 1, 3 Esther: Esther 3:7-11; 7 Ezra and the Law: Nehemiah 8 Post-Exilic Writings Messiah, Resurrection, and Judgment: First Enoch Maccabean Revolt: First Maccabees Qumran Community Rule: Dead Sea Scrolls Rabbinic Writings Wisdom of the Fathers Rabbinic Authority Resurrection of the Dead Coming of the Messiah Unity of the Ten Commandments Medieval Judaism Thirteen Principles of Faith: Maimonides Kabbala: Creation Recent Movements Hasidism: The Seven Beggars Reform Judaism: Declaration of Principles Zionism: Theodor Hertzl Glossary, Further Readings CHAPTER 3 - CHRISTIANITY Introduction Jesus' Birth and Ministry Prince of Peace and Suffering Servant: Isaiah 9:6-7, 53:2-11 Birth of Jesus: Luke, 2:1-24, 39, 40 Jesus' Baptism, Temptation, and First Disciples: Mark, 1 Sermon on the Mount: Matthew, 5-7 Good Samaritan and Prodigal Son: Luke, 10:25-37; 15:1-3, 11-32 Peter Receives the Keys: Matthew, 16:13-28 Lazarus Raised from the Dead: John, 11:1-54 Jesus' Death Last Supper: Mark 14:1-25 Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: John 14:1-26 Trial, Crucifixion, Resurrection: Mark, 14:43-16:8 New Testament Church Ascension, Pentecost: Acts, 1:3-11, 2:1-24, 40-47 Paul on the Distinction between Christianity and Judaism: Galatians, 1-2 Paul on Life after Death: 1 Corinthians 15:12-28, 35-57 Non-Canonical Gospels Infancy Gospel of James Infancy Gospel of Thomas Gnostic Gospel of Thomas Gnostic Gospel of Mary Early Statements of Faith Baptism, Prayer, and the Eucharist: Didache Apostles' Creed Nicene Creed Chalcedon Creed Church Fathers, Saints, and Mystics The Martyrdom of Polycarp Tertullian on Heretics Jerome's Preface to the Vulgate Augustine's Confessions Teresa of Avila on the Prayer of Union Protestant Statements of Faith Lutherans: Augsburg Confession Anglicans: 39 Articles of Religion Presbyterians: Westminster Confession Baptists: First London Baptist Confession of Faith Congregationalists: Savoy Declaration of Faith and Order Assemblies of God: Statement of Fundamental Truths Recent Sectarian Movements Unitarianism: William Ellery Channing Mormonism: Joseph Smith Jehovah's Witnesses: Charles Taze Russell Christian Science: Mary Baker Eddy New Age Christianity: Levi H. Dowling Glossary, Further Readings CHAPTER 4 - ISLAM Introduction Qur'an: Muhammad in Mecca Night of Power Divine Judgment Opening Evils of Idolatry Early Prophets Resurrection of the Dead Revealed Qur'an Qur'an: Muhammad in Medina Laws TreaFieser, James is the author of 'Scriptures of the West', published 2003 under ISBN 9780072865240 and ISBN 0072865245.