The Encyclopedia of Religion, Volume 5

Volume 5 opens with “Economics and Religion,” examining relationships between religious ideas, social organization, economic behavior, capitalism, modernization, and major interpretive approaches to religion and economic life. Subsequent entries address ecstasy, the ecumenical movement, the Icelandic Eddas, Mary Baker Eddy, Edo religion, Jonathan Edwards, the religious symbolism of the egg, and an extensive multi-part treatment of Egyptian religion. The Egyptian section surveys religious history, literature, mythology, ritual, kingship, temples, deities, funerary beliefs, textual traditions, and the history of modern scholarship.

Later entries consider topics and figures including Muslim endowments, eschatological themes, the Mesopotamian god Enki, and “Enlightenment,” with particular attention to Buddhist understandings of liberating knowledge and spiritual transformation. The volume also discusses the Council of Ephesus, Ephraem of Syria, epic traditions, Epiphany, epistemology, Epona, Erasmus, and eremitism. These articles combine historical description, comparative analysis, theological interpretation, textual study, and bibliographical guidance. The final pages begin the entry on John Scotus Eriugena, presenting his biography, writings, translations, and philosophical theology. Overall, the volume provides a multidisciplinary scholarly resource for the historical and comparative study of religion across diverse cultures and periods.