Theologian Ben Michael Carter embarks on a remarkable comparative study of two towering figures separated by centuries and continents: the Japanese Buddhist reformer Shinran Shonin (1173-1262) and the German Christian reformer Martin Luther (1483-1546). Dr. Carter explores how each, within his own tradition, wrestled through spiritual crisis to proclaim a revolutionary truth-that salvation is the unmerited gift of grace, received through faith alone.
With clarity and depth, Dr. Ben Michael Carter examines the historical, philosophical, and theological contexts that gave rise to these parallel insights, revealing how radically different faith systems can arrive at strikingly similar conclusions about the human condition and the nature of redemption. Dr. Carter writes from a Christian theological perspective while showing profound respect for the Buddhist worldview. His work illuminates not only the shared spiritual intuitions of East and West but also the rich possibilities for cross-cultural and interreligious dialogue in a global age.
An Examination of the Concept of Salvation by Faith is both a meticulous inquiry and a deeply human reflection on faith, doubt, and the longing for deliverance that unites all religious traditions. It will appeal to students of theology, philosophy, comparative religion, and anyone seeking to understand the mysterious grace that bridges cultures, eras, and hearts.