A Muslim View Of Christianity: Essays on Dialogue

Faith Meets Faith

by Mahmoud Ayoub, Irfan Omar (Editor)

This major collection of essays begins with a brief biography of well-known Islam scholar Mahmoud Ayoub and a substantial introduction by Ayoub to his study of Christianity and Muslim-Christian dialogue. A bibliography of Ayoub's significant publications is included. The essays are grouped into four sections.

Genres: Islam, Religion, Christianity

264 pages, Paperback

First published May 30, 2007

Reviews

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

As over half of the world's population considers itself either Muslim or Christian, the importance of a book such as this from a concerned, empathic and knowledgeable author cannot be underestimated. Further, given the fact that existential misunderstandings and willful distortions of these major faith traditions lie at the root of so much conflict in our world, it is more important than ever to give priority to well-intentioned dialogue.

A common theme throughout this book is that to engage in this form of dialogue requires attempting to understand the "other's" tradition on its own terms. This concept of "other" can then be reduced through accepting the eyes of the "other" to view the "other's" tradition. Once we see through the eyes of unique traditions in a pluralistic world, the "other" automatically disappears in true empathy. Dr. Mahmoud Ayoub is someone I've contacted for my own doctoral studies as I place an incredible importance (honoring both my own vision of God and the high priority I place on peace in my vision of the divine) on interfaith dialogue in our current time. I believe that Dr. Ayoub would agree that much of this misunderstanding is cultural more than religious - as he makes a point to note in the last essay of the book on Pope John Paul II's view of Islam. In this essay he notes the tight relationship (which he attributes to more cultural similarities) between Judaism and Christianity as compared to Islam and Christianity.

The genuine spirit of hope that Dr. Ayoub exhibits comes through in his honest and forthright efforts at portraying Christianity in a positive light while holding true and firm to his own Muslim faith. This kind of honest effort at setting aside harmful actions and statements by both traditions throughout history is absolutely essential to peace in our world. It also directly matches with the teachings inherent within the very nature of both traditions. To honor the true spirit of either faith requires peace, understanding and forgiveness!

I'm personally convinced through my own spiritual searching that it is the mystical that can serve to unite. The traditions of the mystics is where we can see the greatest universal threads. Furthermore, whether one calls themselves a mystic or not, it is the internal where we truly experience divinity, and where - if only we could look inside the "other" - we might find much more common ground than we ever thought possible. The problem is trying to take the internal and place it in the exoteric or existential world through institutionalization. That requires concrete action in a transient world that only serves to divide. The inability of external manifestations to adjust must be countered by looking inside at what the universal divine essence is truly telling us. That - I believe- must be the starting point for all honest efforts at interfaith dialogue, and is a point that I also believe resonates with this book. An important read, and highly recommended.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ayoub really understands the Christian faith and wastes no time trying to argue against something that most Christians don't actually believe. Instead, he explains much of Islamic thought and theology relating to Jesus while also critiquing much of what has been said in the past that has no Qur'anic support. Very good selection of papers and I believe Ayoub is at the top of his class for understanding Christianity and explaining Islam's point of view on various tough subjects that need to be talked about. Very good read!

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is so good and an impressive attempt at interfaith dialogue by Ayoub (even if he would prefer it to be ecumenical). There were places I expected it to be more pugnacious but in the last few chapters he specifically calls out Muslims and Christians who say they are for dialogue but really just want to undermine each other’s beliefs. Included are overviews of how the crusades continue to influence Muslim views of the West, discussions on Jesus, and commentaries on the Pope. He covers Muslim scholars of the Gospels and ancient extra biblical texts that mention Jesus, and the critical view of Paul many Muslims take. In the end, after arguing that Islam seeks unity between the three Semitic faiths and sees them all as worshipping the same God, it is those Christians who keep insisting on needing Jesus to be saved.

“Only in Christ can humanity be saved from slavery to sin and death. While no one can question the centrality of this doctrine to the church’s faith, it is not one that Islam and Judaism accept, either as part of their own faith or as a common basis for dialogue with Christians. Nor can it serve in today’s pluralistic world as a basis for dialogue with any other faith community. This is because the doctrine leaves no room for a genuine fellowship of faith, which must be the ultimate goal of interreligious dialogue.”

Ayoub’s work is academic and fair in tone, enlightening on the various topics in Muslim-Christian dialogue, and (as an outsider to the faith he espouses and insider to the one he softly chastises throughout) - fascinating, enjoyable, engaging.

[Kim Shively · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was disappointing. The collection of essays was somewhat disjointed, but most disturbingly was the authors' poor use of sources. He treated all sources as if they had equal weight. There were some individual essays that were more useful.

[Ginger Damron · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Dialogue should be a conversation between two people, not just an exchange of ideals."