Theory of Religious Cycles

Mikhail Sergeev, Ph.D. (1997), Temple University, is Adjunct Professor of Philosophy and Religion at the University of the Arts (Philadelphia). He has published numerous books and articles on his areas of expertise, including Sophiology in Russian Orthodoxy: Solov’ev, Bulgakov, Losskii, Berdiaev, (2006).

• AcknowledgementsForewordPreface Part I1. Cycles of Religion: Theory and Application1.1. Model of Religious Cycle1.2. The Cycle of Judaism1.3. The Cycle of Buddhism1.4. The Cycle of Christianity1.5. The Cycle of Islam2. The Project of Modernity: Pro et Contra 2.1. Defining Modern Times2.2. The Project of the Enlightenment2.3. Critics of Modernity Part II3. The Bahá’í Faith: A New Paradigm3.1. Modernity as a Point of Departure3.2. Traditional vs. Bahá’í Religion3.3. The Enlightenment vs. Bahá’í Teachings4. Principles of Bahá’í Organization 4.1. Interpretation vs. Administration4.2. Approaches to Unity and Dissent4.3. Conflation of Religion and StateConclusionsPostscript: Theses on Modernity and the Bahá’í FaithAppendicesChartsStructure of Religious cycleReligious Cycles of Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity and IslamWorld Religions: A Comprehensive ChartComparative TablesPhases of Religion: A Comparative TableSacred Scriptures and Sacred Tradition in World ReligionsThree Main Trends of the Enlightenment ThoughtPiotr Chaadaev and Two Main Ideological Trends in Modern RussiaTheory of Religious Cycles vs. Classical Westernism and SlavophilismComparative Table of New Religious MovementsThe Enlightenment Ideology / Soviet Marxism vs. the Bahá’í FaithChristianity vs. the Bahá’í Faith: A Doctrinal SummaryTraditional Religions vs. the Enlightenment: Controversial IssuesThe Bahá’í Faith vs. Catholicism: Organizational Principles / Practices Religion and State: Comparative Table of Possible Bahá’í ModelsTimelinesTimeline of World ReligionsSelf-Governance, Parliamentarism and Democracy: A TimelineBibliographyWorks Cited Additional Reading Index

"There is no doubt that Sergeev’s theory of religious cycles and his philosophical, sociological and political analysis of the evolution of religion, presents a significant scholarly value, not only in theological but also in philosophical and sociological contexts, because ... it sets the landmarks of understanding and reinterpretation of pressing problems of modern humanity." - Natalya Shelkovaya"It should be acknowledged that Mikhail Sergeev’s book is undoubtedly a profound and thorough scholarly work, based on a wide range of sources. Not only is it a valuable contribution to studies in the evolution of human religious and social consciousness, but it also outlines possible perspectives for that evolution in the future." - Youli A. Loannesyan"[T]his is an extremely important book in understand that religions change or evolve according to a precise system of phases. Sergeev has argued clearly, too, that this evolution comes not from a simplistic "decline in faith", but from a highly complex series of interactions between texts, traditions, and believers, and the forces of modernity and cultural change." - Benjamin B. Olshin, The University of the Arts"In this insightful and provocative book, Sergeev creatively takes the reader through the world religions, with a remarkable and easy-to-understand table of comparisons at the end. It shows not only his deep interest in religions but also a fair and accurate understanding of the Bahá’i Faith, which takes up a major part of this book. ... In my opinion this book provides the best bridging of religious changes I have read. It is more relevant now than any time since the Enlightenment, so is highly recommended." - Gity Banan Etemad, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA