Since the "irruption of history" (Foucault) in the 18th century and the emergence of a global society, all topics of philosophy, as well as the concept of philosophy itself, must be treated from a historical perspective and in confrontation with the philosophical traditions of other cultures. For that reason, a philosophy of religion has to clarify both the concepts of "religion" and "philosophy" that were originally developed in European thought. Since a philosophy of religion cannot be reduced to descriptive analysis, the foundation of normative criteria for a critical examination of religions becomes a crucial task. In order to meet this difficult challenge an intercultural philosophy of religion does not merely interprets religions from the outside, but can also take up the philosophical re-interpretations of religious traditions themselves, which have been carried out in some religions at least since the axial period (Jaspers), in which both philosophies and reflexive religions have attained global significance to present time.