ISLAM: A Christian Understanding

Some Christians live in the midst of Muslim societies. Others view Islam from a distance. The Anglican Archdeacon in the Gulf is uniquely well placed to help them acquire a truer, fairer and more clear-sighted understanding of another great world faith of enormous significance in today's world.' -MICHAEL LEWIS BISHOP IN CYPRUS AND THE GULF Christians and Muslims has been marred by. conflict and distrust. From the time of the Crusades, the followers of the two faiths have been considered rivals. Recent events and media misrepresentation of Islam have only worsened this gap. Islam: A Christian Understanding examines the Muslim—Christian relationship bv comparing and contrasting the practices and ideologies of both religions, with the aim of helping Christians better understand Islam. This timely and comprehensive work challenges and tries to set straight the distortions that have been all too prevalent in mainstream discourse. CONTENTS 1. THE PURPOSE OF REVELATION 2. IN THE BEGINNING 3. THE PERCEPTION OF GOD 4. JIHAD AND IJTIHAD 5. PERSONAL AND PUBLIC IDENTITY 6. UNCLEAN AND CLEAN VERSUS HARAM AND HALAL 7. RELIGION AND SOCIETY 9. HUMAN RIGHTS AND RELIGIOUS FREEDOM 10.CHRISTIAN-MUSLIM DIALOGUE EPILOGUE Appendix A: Universal Islamic Declaration of Human Rights Appendix B: Islam and Corruption of Scriptures Glossary Bibliography SI