Encyclopedia of American Religions
📘 About This Book
"Compact, clearly printed, and a delight to use. A sine qua non for the reference collections of public, academic, and theological libraries". -- American Reference Books Annual
📖 Summary
The Encyclopedia of American Religions, authored by J. Gordon Melton and published in 1993, stands as a monumental reference work spanning over twelve hundred pages dedicated to documenting the vast and diverse landscape of spiritual movements, denominations, and belief systems found across the United States. Designed to serve as an indispensable resource, this comprehensive volume meticulously catalogs thousands of religious groups, providing researchers, scholars, and curious readers with a structured pathway through the complex tapestry of American faith. From major historical traditions to emerging sects, the encyclopedia offers detailed profiles that outline the origins, historical development, core teachings, and organizational structures of each group. By organizing such an overwhelming array of information into a compact, clearly printed, and user-friendly format, the author has created a definitive guide that captures the sheer pluralism of religious expression in America. The book categorizes various traditions into distinct religious families, helping readers understand the theological lineages and cultural connections that bind different movements together. Whether examining mainstream Christian denominations, Eastern traditions, Indigenous spiritualities, alternative modern movements, or smaller esoteric groups, the text maintains an objective, scholarly approach that emphasizes factual documentation and descriptive clarity. As a foundational reference text, it bridges the gap between casual inquiry and rigorous academic research, earning high praise from professional reviewers and librarians alike for its usability and exhaustive scope. The sheer density of information does not hinder its accessibility; rather, the thoughtful indexing and structured layout make navigating the complex world of American religion a manageable and illuminating endeavor. Ultimately, this massive volume serves not merely as a static directory of religious organizations, but as a living portrait of a deeply spiritual society continuously shaping and reshaping its beliefs over time.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Exhaustive coverage of thousands of American religious groups
Compact and clearly printed layout that is a delight to use
Serves as an essential reference for academic and theological libraries
Organized into logical religious families for easier research
⚠️ Cons
The sheer volume of information can feel overwhelming for casual readers
Physical size makes it a heavy and purely stationary reference book
✍️ About the Author
❓ FAQ
Who authored the Encyclopedia of American Religions? +
The book was authored by J. Gordon Melton.
When was this edition of the encyclopedia published? +
This edition was published in 1993.
How many pages are in the book? +
The volume contains 1252 pages of detailed reference content.
What types of institutions benefit most from having this book in their collections? +
Public, academic, and theological libraries find this book to be an essential reference tool.
What is the general reception of the book by reference authorities? +
It has been praised by the American Reference Books Annual as a delight to use and a sine qua non for reference collections.
