This volume investigates the contemporary academic landscape of New Religious Movements (NRMs) by synthesizing sociological and religious studies perspectives. Editor James R. Lewis compiles contributions from a diverse cohort of established scholars and emerging researchers to evaluate the current state of the field. The text provides a comprehensive framework for understanding how these movements interact with broader societal shifts, modernization, and global religious trends.

Experts recognize this handbook as a foundational reference for scholars and students navigating the complexities of modern religious studies. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which serves as a rigorous survey of the field's most pressing debates.