Today's tensions between the 'Islamic' East and 'Christian' West run high. Here Paul-Gordon Chandler presents fresh thinking in the area of Christian-Muslim relations, showing how Christ_whom Islam reveres as a Prophet and Christianity worships as the divine Messiah_can close the gap between the two religions. Historically, Christians have taken a confrontational or missionary approach toward Islam, leading many Muslims to identify Christianity with the cultural prejudices and hegemonic ambitions of Westerners. On the individual level, Christ-followers within Islam have traditionally been encouraged by Christians to break away from their Muslim communities. Chandler boldly explores how these two major religions_which share much common heritage_can not only co-exist, but also enrich each other. He illustrates his perspective with examples from the life of Syrian novelist Mazhar Mallouhi, widely read in the Middle East. Mallouhi, a self-identified 'Sufi Muslim follower of Christ,' seeks to bridge the chasm of misunderstanding between Muslims and Christians through his novels.
PAUL G. CHANDLER is an author, art curator, interfaith peacemaker, authority on the Middle East and Africa. and the author of In Search of a Prophet: A Spiritual Journey with Kahlil Gibran (Rowman & Littlefield).He is recognized as a global leader in using the arts to further our quest for a more harmonious future, both with each other and with the earth. He can be reached at: paulgchandler.com.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 Chapter 1 — Pilgrim of Allah: Devotion to Christ within the Line of Muhammad Chapter 3 Pilgrimage to Faith Chapter 4 Journeying Among Muslims Chapter 5 Discovering Home Chapter 6 Chapter 2 — Bridging Two Worlds Chapter 7 Salaam on Islam Chapter 8 Muslim Disciple of Christ Chapter 9 Chapter 3 — New Directions for the Journey Chapter 10 Resurrecting the Eastern Christ: Embracing the Semitic Face of Jesus Chapter 11 Opening a Middle Eastern Book: Returning the Christian Scriptures to their Middle Eastern Origin Chapter 12 Once Upon a Time: Telling Eastern STories of Faith to Muslim Audiences Chapter 13 Questions to a Muslim Christian Pilgrim: An Interview with Mazhar Mallouhi Chapter 14 Appendix: List of Mazhar Mallouhi's works
What People are Saying About This
Desmond Tutu
Events of recent years have exacerbated mutual suspicion, fear and misunderstanding between Christians and Muslims. Yet Jesus Christ set in motion a unity that knows no boundaries; he broke all barriers. We must think beyond the present walls of the church to move forward. The issues dealt with in this timely book demonstrate God's divine embrace, providing a bridge in the gap.
Philip Yancey
I consider this an important book. What a life Mazhar Mallouhi has lived! He stands in an almost singular position as a bridge between two worlds which, alas, seem to be separated by an ever-increasing divide.