10+ History Of Religion Books for Free! [PDF]

For all our readers who are interested in learning about the birth and development of religious practices in the world, we have created a collection of free books on the history of religion

The history of religion consists of a human or social science, in charge of studying the diverse practices of religious character, as well as beliefs, myths, and rites.

According to the experts of this science, the earliest religious expression was the belief that souls and spirits existed, which is also known as “animism”.

On the other hand, it has been proven that religion develops along with the evolution of the socio-cultural aspect of the world; which has allowed the emergence of various religions throughout history. 

In our collection of more than 35 materials including books and free articles on the history of religion in PDF format you have the opportunity to consult all the information concerning the birth, development, and evolution of the religions we know today.

Books on the History of Ancient Religions

The major religions of the world have evolved over thousands of years, and many have their origins in ancient times. Hinduism dates back to the Indus Valley Civilization in the 2nd millennium BCE, with early worship focused on figures such as Brahma, Shiva, and Vishnu.

On the other hand, Zoroastrianism emerged in the 1st millennium BCE in Persia with the teachings of the prophet Zoroaster. One of the most studied pagan religions is Egyptian, which worshiped animal gods such as Amun and Ra.

Furthermore, between the 2nd and 1st millennium BCE, Judaism was formed in the Near East, with its foundational texts being the Torah and the Tanakh. Explore further with the following free books and articles on the history of ancient religions.

The Religions the Ancient World

George Rawlinson, M. A

History and religion: narrating a religious past

Otto, Bernd-Christian; Rau, Susanne; Rüpke, Jörg,

Religion and Power. Divine kingship in the ancient world and beyond

Nicole Brisch

History of Zoroastrianism

Maneckji Nusservanji Dhalla

Zoroastrian

Reonline

Hindu: A History

Audrey Truschke

Hinduism (Article)

American Humanist Association

Origins of Hinduism (Article)

Manitoba

Paganism

Reonline

Paganism

American Humanist Association

Judaism

American Humanist Association

Origins of Judaism (Article)

Manitoba

Books on the History of Christianity

Christianity emerged in the 1st century CE in Palestine, preached by Jesus of Nazareth and spread by his followers. The origins of this new monotheistic religion revolve around the figure of Jesus, his ethical teachings, and his death and resurrection, as depicted in the accounts of the Gospels.

During the Middle Ages, Christianity became a cornerstone of Western European culture, with the Church playing a prominent role in its relationship with the states.

Events such as the Protestant Reformation and the Counter-Reformation marked a turning point as established doctrines and structures were questioned. The following free books and articles will allow you to delve into the fascinating origins and historical evolution of this globally significant belief.

A Short History of Christianity

J. M. Robertson

Counter-Reformation

Adolphus William Mward

The history of the origins of christianity

Ernest Renan

An essay on the development of christian doctrine

John Henry Cardinal Newman

A Systematic Presentation of Development of Dogma in the Theology

Karl Rahner

Turning Points - God’s Faithfulness in Christian History (Presentation)

Csmedia1

Causes and Consequences of the Protestant Reformation

Sascha O. Becker, Steven Pfaff and Jared Rubin

On the History of Early Christianity

Frederick Engels

The American System Of Church-State Relations

Carl H. Esbeck

Church and State in Historical Political Economy

Sascha O. Becker and Steven Pfaff

Protestant Reformation

AGDC

Church – State Relations in Europe

Russell Sandberg and Norman Doe

Medieval Christianity - The State of the Field

Katherine J. Gill

The influence of the protestant reformation on education (Article)

Mihai Androne

The Counter-Reformation (Article)

The Saylor Foundation

Church - state relations and their effects on social rights (Article)

Natalia Vasilievna Dorodonova and Ksenia Vladimirovna Chilkina

Books on the History of Islam

Islam emerged in Saudi Arabia during the 7th century CE, through the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad. This monotheistic preacher spread the message of the Quran and laid the foundations of a religion that combined elements of Judaism and Christianity with local customs.

After the death of Muhammad, Islam experienced prolific growth under the caliphate, transcending borders and uniting cultures. It quickly spread across North Africa, the Middle East, and the Iberian Peninsula, shaping some of the most advanced civilizations of its time.

The free books and articles we provide allow you to understand the fascinating history of Islam, from its origins to the present day.

Medieval Islamic Empires

Hirsch, Jr.

A Brief Overview of the History of Islam

American Humanist Association

Arabia and the Birth of Islam: When History, Myth and Opinion Become Inseparable

Suleiman A. Mourad

The arab conquest

B. A. Litvinsky, A. H. Jalilov and A. I. Kolesnikov

Arab’s Islamic Expansion & Campaign Against Hind of Central Asia and subcontinent

Bipin R. Shah

Prophet Muhammad

Neveen Nagy

Islamic Caliphates (Presentation)

Birdvilleschools

Caliphs of Islam (Article)

Old.Amu

Articles on the History of Other Religions

Many of the world’s major religions have long histories dating back several centuries or millennia. This is the case with Buddhism, which emerged in India during the 6th century BCE through the teachings of Prince Siddhartha Gautama, and later spread throughout Asia.

Another deeply rooted faith is Taoism, whose origins can be traced back to the 6th century BCE in China, propelled by sages like Lao Tzu and their teachings on harmony with the Tao.

More recently, Sikhism was founded in the 15th century in northern India by Guru Nanak, combining elements of Hinduism and Islam to preach devotion to God. If you are interested in these other religions, you can learn more through the following free articles on the history of other religions.

Looking Back, Looking Forward - The Historiography Of Sikhism

Tony Ballantyne

The Taoist Tradition - A Historical Outline

Russell Kirkland

Introduction To Sikhism

Stephen Bigger

Buddhism

American Humanist Association

Sikhism - paths to humanism (Article)

American Humanist Association

Buddhism (Article)

DCU

Here ends our selection of free History Of Religion books in PDF format. We hope you liked it and already have your next book!

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