The Qur'an in Context: A Christian Exploration By Mark Robert Anderson
The qur'an in context religion and science
I would give Anderson s book a resounding 5 stars for its scholarship graciousness and pastoral sensitivity More than anything else I ve read he brings a critical and well informed lens to a serious study of the Qur anic texts and historical claims while being honest about his own Christian Reformed perspective Though he levels serious critique at the Qur anic perspective on the world he never does so in an overly polemic or argumentative way and is instead deeply sympathetic to the Muslim reader listener believer This probably even so than the context which is significant in itself is why I recommend this book. Book the qur'an in context The final 4 star rating is only because the book is not particularly accessible for the general audience Anderson is a serious academic and this reads like a thesis dissertation than a book for the lay person As a serious reader it still took me quite a while to get through The chapters are dense and full of footnotes which while helpful for intense study can also be a drain The reader should know this before diving in. The qur'an in contexty terms So overall I still highly recommend this book for any minister pastor religion student who wants a serious look at the similarities and differences of the Biblical Qur anic perspectives on the world In addition Anderson threads a very helpful discussion of the historical context in which the Qur an was born throughout the entire book which brings a level of nuance and scholarship to this work that is not as obvious in some popular level writings I m glad I read it and it will proudly remain on my shelf Paperback Summary A study by a Christian theologian of the Qu ran in its seventh century AD context exploring its teachings in relation to Christian teaching noting both similarities and points of divergence in the hope of encouraging open and honest dialogue between adherents of these two faiths. The qur'an in context religion and philosophy There is a strand of public discourse drawing both upon the ideas of Samuel Huntington s The Clash of Civilizations and incidents of terror that propose that there is a war or clash between Islam and the West or at least between elements of Islamic cultures and the west Then there are others who pursue perhaps a quieter conversation proposing that given the clashes that have occurred and a desire to maintain and protect a pluralist society recognizing freedom of conscience and belief that some effort needs to be made between Christians and Muslims to find common ground The most newsworthy was a statement by a group of Muslim clerics A Common Word with responses from other major religious bodies calling for interfaith dialogue and action based on commonly shared teachings around the love of God and neighbor. Book the qur'an in context pdf Some who would take the former view criticize in my view justly some of the efforts of dialogue that minimize or altogether mute differences or take at face value assertions about Islam without careful textual study In The Qu ran in Context Mark Robert Anderson offers a resource grounded in a Christian perspective that seeks to read the Qu ran both sympathetically in its seventh century AD context delineating its teachings noting both similarities with Christian teaching and places where these diverge He writes My goal of encouraging dialogue should need little justification from a Christianperspective The psalmist says how pleased God is when brothers and sisters live together peaceably and the New Testament calls us to do all we can to be at peace with everyone Ps 133 1 3 Rom 12 18 Heb 12 14 In our global village that demands dialogue. The qur'an in contexty english But true dialogue does not deny or minimize difference Rather it begins with an honest acknowledgement of difference no less than similarity Without that we cannot be truly heard and understood Using the term neighbor in its broadest sense Jesus commands us to treat our neighbor as we want her to treat us Mt 7 12 cf Lk 10 25 37 Paul also counsels us to do good to everyone Christian or not Gal 6 10 So we lovingly speak what we hold to be true and graciously listen as our Muslim brother or sister does likewise And we remain ready as Peter charges us to offer a defense to anyone who seeks the reason for our hope doing so with gentleness and reverence 1 Pet 3 15 16 So our truth telling is to be marked always by kindness and honor for our partner in dialogue as a Thou not an It in Martin Buber s terms Anderson proceeds along the following lines to do this Part One of his book looks at the origins of the Qu ran and the history of Muhammad and his context It is particularly fascinating to understand the tribal rivalries of the Arabian peninsula in this time and the mix of pagan religion and contexts with Jews and Christians through trade. Book the qur'an in context summary Part Two is the longest part and considers what Anderson calls the Qu ranic Worldview He explores the Qu ran s teaching about God God s immanence and transcendence and justice and mercy He explores Adam s creation in an extra terrestrial garden and his fall with Satan and humanity s reprieve from the judgment of God He explores the concepts of sin and salvation the ideas of prophethood scripture and revelation and the devotional social and political dimensions of Qu ranic spirituality While noting points of similarity he also contrasts the aloofness of God the absence of grace and the differing ways the two faiths engage the political realm among a host of other differences. The qur'an in context ebook online Part Three focuses on Jesus in the Qu ran his origins and person his words and works his death and the community he established He shows how Jesus is both exalted and marginalized such that the supremacy of Muhammad as prophet is maintained In particular it highlights bizarre instances of miraculous works by the child Jesus while showing him deferring to the disciples as an adult He also explores the conflicting claims he finds in the Qu ran about the death of Jesus. Book the qur'an in context of english Part Four then summarizes the discussion and explores the relation of Bible and Qu ran including the claim that the differences between the two may be accounted for by intentional distortions and falsifications by both Jews and Christians even though these two were opposed to one another for most of the relevant history He notes three critical biblical themes running through both testaments and contrasts these with the Qu ran Friendship with God The free grace of God The humility of GodOne place where I could see this work facing criticism is the approach which Anderson drawing on N T Wright calls critical realism approaching the text in its historic context and prevailing worldview He does not ignore Muslim interpretive traditions particularly where they differ from his reading of the text but does significantly background these while admitting evangelical and reformed presuppositions in reading the Christian scriptures I suspect this may work fine where lay evangelicals are in dialogue with lay Muslims where the focus is comparative study of texts and discussion but would be much nuanced between scholars of both faiths whose understandings are shaped by a millenia or of interpretive tradition as well as study of the text in its context. The word qur'an literally means However I would commend this as a helpful resource for interfaith discussions in universities and community contexts It models both grace and forthrightness of approach without a combative spirit While trying to meet the Qu ran on its own terms it doesn t pretend to be less than what it is a Christian exploration Also it demonstrates another truth often discovered through interfaith conversations that participants may come to a deeper grasp of the contours of their own faith as well as that of the other through these encounters. The qur'an in context kindle download Might we avert the much touted clash of civilizations That remains to be seen Certainly there will be violence in the name of religion What Anderson s book gives us is a picture of the real work and perhaps the harder struggle that must take place if adherents of Christianity and Islam are truly to understand each other s sacred scriptures and beliefs to find ways to co exist rather than to fight and seek to dominate each other Paperback Wow I have a new go to recommendation for the Christian reader seeking to better understand Islam the Qur an This is an incisive summary of the message of the Qur an presented for the Christian reader in dialogue with biblical theology Anderson does a remarkable job of drawing out key themes of the Qur an and situating its message in historical context in a way that helps it make sense to the modern western Christian reader This will grow your understanding But he pulls no punches in assessing the Qur an s claims in relation to biblical theology allowing for an even handed but forthright assessment of the two books Paperback In this book Mark Robert Anderson has perhaps offered the strongest and most well informed Christian assessment of the Qur an that I ve yet come across in terms of its thoroughness focus and scope Anderson is well acquainted with scholarly discussions about the Qur an though gives comparatively little attention to Islamic scholarship as such which is the book s greatest weakness some of his interpretations while I think them sometimes plausible and sometimes even compelling may not be readily accepted by Muslim readers without engagement there He situates the Qur an firmly against its Late Antique Arabian context and is thereby able to explain many of its features Anderson writes graciously and for the most part fairly though there are some points at which he could have been a bit charitable but never shies away from comparing the Qur an and the Bible highlighting many similarities but equally many deep differences beneath the similarities Noteworthy is that Anderson s focus is kept fairly strictly on the Qur an not on other generally later sources that have also shaped the popular Muslim imagination And a key theme is his contention that while the Qur an rejects many aspects of pre Islamic Arabian religiosity it nevertheless presents a God resembling the noble Arab of pre Islamic times haughty in his refusal to submit or humble himself That said this book is essential reading for every Christian every Muslim and everyone interested in Christian Muslim dialogue Paperback Well thought out filled with grace and honesty This analysis really helped me clarify a lot of what I was thinking and feeling when I read the Qur an and I feel that it is thorough and fair The logic was clear and easy to follow thereby rendering the work very accessible even to an undergrad like me Would recommend Paperback
| The Qur'an in Context: A Christian Exploration By Mark Robert Anderson |
| 0830851429 |
| 9780830851423 |
| English |
| 367 |
| Paperback |
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