Through the lens of a Christian minister, immersed in the global interfaith movement
and trained in the discipline of religious philosophy, this book develops a social ethic
that is based on function. By using the concept of a functional paradigm, the book
explores the way religious language works to create subjective mental states. These mental
states represent various degrees of truth for the adherents, but due to their subjective
nature, the truths cannot be objectively verified. This results in conflicting truth
claims by religious adherents from different religious traditions. However, because the
truth claims function in the various traditions to teach social values, function and
morality are areas in which common ground can be found and explored.
Contents
Introduction
1. Metaphorical Coherence
2. The Functional Trinity
3. Buddhism : A Functional Religious Tradition
4. The Functional Paradigm and Interfaith Challenges
Epilogue: Internal Function
Rev. Dr. Richard A. Rose is Chair of the Philosophy and Religion
Department at the University of La Verne. Dr. Rose completed his undergraduate degree in
Philosophy at Pacific Christian College, earned the Master of Divinity degree at Howard
University School of Divinity and the Ph.D. degree from the Claremont Graduate School. His
scholarship focuses on interfaith dialogue and the pivotal role of new educational models
in advancing social justice and inter-religious understanding. Dr. Rose serves as the
Director of the University of La Verne's Ecumenical Center for Black Church Studies
Program; through satellite locations non-traditional age students earn their B.A. degree
in an ecumenical setting. As an ordained Elder in the A.M.E. Church, Dr. Rose also serves
as the Assistant Pastor at COR A.M.E. Church in Irvine, CA.
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