The notion of Interreligious Studies signals a new academic perspective on the study of religion, characterized by a relational approach. Interreligious Studies is the first book to define the essential features of interreligious studies compared with alternative conceptions of religious studies and theology. The most pressing and salient challenges in interreligious relations are discussed in relation to interreligious studies, including interreligious dialogue in practice and theory, interfaith dialogue and secularity, faith-based diplomacy, the questionof interfaith learning in school, and interreligious responses to extremism. Interreligious Studies is a cutting-edge study from one of the most important voices in Europe in the field, Oddbjorn Leirvik, and includes case study material from his native Norway including interreligious responses to the bomb attack in Norway on 22nd July 2011, as well as context and discussion of the global context with particular reference to North America.
Expanding discussions on interreligious dialogue and the relationship between religions in new and interesting ways, this book is a much-needed addition to the growing literature on interreligious studies.