Christian
Muslim Relations:
Resources for Further Study
Keep in Mind: The following books are only the tip of the ice-berg when it comes to further resources. To avoid the shipping charges, usually between three and six dollars, order from your local bookstore.
Do you want “the” definitive text on Christian/Muslim relations?
Cragg, Kenneth. The Call of the Minaret, 3rd ed. Oxford: Oneworld Publications, 2000.
Kenneth Cragg revolutionized Christian thought toward Islam when
The
Call of the Minaret first came out in the 1960’s, and he has continued
updating the book since then: the
present edition was published in 2000. He
presents an engaging and easy-to-read guide for mutual understanding. Reading this book grants one a sense of what it is like to look at Islam,
Christianity and the influence of the west – from a Muslim’s perspective. Cragg highlights the interdependence between Christians and
Muslims by journeying through topics of prophethood, prayer, politics and
community. In addition, he thoughtfully asks Christians to seriously reflect on
how they are called
into relationship with Islam as a whole, since they are clearly called to
do so. This book is very engaging and easy to read. Kenneth Cragg has
written extensively on Muslim-Christian relations, and has served as both an
Anglican missionary and professor throughout the world.
Available
from www.bn.com or www.amazon.com
for $25.00.
Do you want to understand some of the reasons for
misunderstandings and
communication failures between Muslims and Christians in
the past and present?
Zeberi, Kate. Muslims and Christians: Face To Face. Oxford, Eng.; Rockport, MA: Oneworld, 1997.
Kate Zeberi’s Muslims and Christians: Face To Face is an excellent place to start, because it includes Christian and Muslim writers from popular and intellectual perspectives. Thus, you receive a multi-level overview of Christian-Muslim relations. Chapters include: Factors Influencing Muslim-Christian Relations, Muslim Popular Literature on Christianity, Protestant Missionary Literature on Islam, The Study of Christianity by Muslim Intellectuals, and Approaches to Islam by Christian Islamicists and Theologians. Zeberi teaches Arabic and Islamic Studies at the University of London. Available from www.borders.com for $22.95.
Do you want to learn the basics of Muslim-Christian dialogue through a
historical
perspective that challenges attitudes and stereotypes of Islam?
Kimball, Charles. Striving
Together: A Way Forward in
Christian-Muslim Relations.
Maryknoll,
NY: Orbis Books, 1991.
Charles Kimball’s Striving Together: A Way Forward in Christian-Muslim Relations is a good book to have as a reference guide on your shelf because it covers all the bases. Chapters include: Obstacles and Opportunities in Christian-Muslim Relations Toward Understanding Islam; The History of Christian-Muslim Relations: An Overview; Christian Particularity and Religious Pluralism: Biblical and Theological Options; The Dialogue Movement (including a section on Interfaith Initiatives in North America), and A Way Forward in Christian-Muslim Relationship (including education, encounter, and building new relationships). Available from www.bn.com for $13.00.
Do you want a book that synthesizes information about what is important to
Muslims
about Islam, learn the common Muslim critiques of Christian theology,
and gain a
realistic sense of the obstacles and opportunity within dialogue?
Borrmans, Maurice. Guidelines for Dialogue Between Christians and Muslims. Trans. R. Marston Speight. New Edition. Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 1990.
Maurice Borrmans believes that Christians and Muslims
can succeed in accepting, understanding, and sharing experiences with one
another. When both accept the
ignorance and injustices of the past and focus on their mutual knowledge and
appreciation for one another, Christians and Muslims can appreciate what each
has to say about their faith. There
are many obstacles that are still present today which must be taken seriously,
including mixed marriages and the problem of religious minorities.
There are also many areas of cooperation, including the development of
the arts and culture, and economic and social justice.
Borrmans wrote this guide for the Pontifical Council for Interreligious
Dialogue in 1981, so it also serves as the semi-official Roman Catholic Statement. It was translated from French into English in 1990. This book is currently out of print,
though a company called Harvest Books
specializes in tracking books down and will conduct a world-wide search.
Contact them at www.harvestbooks.com
or call 1.800.563.1222.
Do you want to gain a worldwide perspective from
the conservative evangelism witness
to Muslims, from Christian missionaries who
work in the Middle East and South
East Asia?
Woodberry, J. Dudley, ed. Muslims and Christians On The Emmaus Road. Monrovia, CA: MARC, 1989.
J. Dudley Woodberry has collected essays from numerous
missionaries on a variety of topics, including but not limited to: contemporary
trends in Islam, holistic ministry among the poor, rethinking the Gospel for
Muslims, examples of witness, social and theological changes in conversion,
lessons learned in contextualization, and the Biblical foundations and
experience of praying for Muslims. This
book serves best as an eye-opener into the current world of Christian witness to
Muslims, through well-written and engaging articles.
Order from www.marcpublications.com
for $21.95.
Do you want a pocket-sized guide of examples of questions Muslims ask Christians, and advice on how to talk about Christ with Muslims?
Christian Witness Among Muslims: A Guide to Understanding the Muslim Religion Through the Eyes of Jesus. 2nd ed. Bartlesville, OK: Living Sacrifice Book Company, 1994.
The book functions as a practical guide in three main sections: Christian Attitude for Muslims (and the need to reform it into one of respect and love), Understanding Muslims and Helping Them Understand the Gospel, and Helping the Serious Enquirer. The book gives practical advice for Christians on what to say, including illustrations that Muslims might connect with and why. Order from The Voice of the Martyrs for $5.00; call 1.918.337.8015.