This collection investigates the core question of how the historical process of globalization has fundamentally shaped the institutional forms, conceptual definitions, and political roles of religion in modern society. Peter Beyer, a prominent scholar in the sociology of religion, synthesizes ten previously published essays to argue that religion is not a timeless essence but a dynamic outcome of globalizing transformations. By framing these works with a new introduction and conclusion, Beyer provides a cohesive analytical structure that challenges traditional views of religion as a static requirement of human society.

Experts recognize this volume as a significant contribution to the sociological study of religion, particularly for its focus on the structural relationship between global systems and religious institutions. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, making it a valuable resource for advanced students and researchers in the fields of sociology and global studies.