The Christian Encounter with Muhammad
How Theologians Have Interpreted the Prophet
1st Edition
Published on 12. November 2020
232 pages
978-1-350-19122-8 (ISBN)
Description
This book offers a fresh appraisal of Muhammad that considers the widest possible history of the ways in which Christians have assessed his prophethood.
To medieval Christian communities, Muhammad-the leader of a religious and political community that grew quickly and with relative success-was an enigma. Did God really send him as a prophet with a revelation? Was the political success of the community he founded a divine validation? Or were he and his followers inspired by something evil?
Despite their attempts, modern Christians continued to be puzzled by Muhammad. The Qur'an provided a framework for understanding and honouring Jesus; was it possible for Christians to reciprocate with regard to Muhammad?
This book applies the same analysis to both medieval and modern assessments of Muhammad, in order to demonstrate the continuities and disparities present in literature from the two eras.
To medieval Christian communities, Muhammad-the leader of a religious and political community that grew quickly and with relative success-was an enigma. Did God really send him as a prophet with a revelation? Was the political success of the community he founded a divine validation? Or were he and his followers inspired by something evil?
Despite their attempts, modern Christians continued to be puzzled by Muhammad. The Qur'an provided a framework for understanding and honouring Jesus; was it possible for Christians to reciprocate with regard to Muhammad?
This book applies the same analysis to both medieval and modern assessments of Muhammad, in order to demonstrate the continuities and disparities present in literature from the two eras.
More details
Edition
1. Auflage
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
10 bw illus
ISBN-13
978-1-350-19122-8 (9781350191228)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
05/2022
Bloomsbury Academic
€57.19
Shipment within 15-20 days
Book
11/2020
Bloomsbury Academic
€148.80
Shipment within 15-20 days
Person
Charles Tieszen is SIS Adjunct Professor for Islamic studies and Christian-Muslim relations at Fuller Theological Seminary, USA. He is an editor for the project Christian-Muslim Relations: A Bibliographical History, and he has also most recently published Cross Veneration in the Medieval Islamic World (I.B. Tauris, 2017) and Theological Issues in Christian-Muslim Dialogue (2018) .
Content
Introduction
1. Muhammad as a Christian Catechumen: Sergius-Bahira and a Legendary Counter history
2. Muhammad as a Prophet of Inferior Monotheism: John of Damascus and a New History of the World
3. Muhammad as a Retrograde Moses of Minimal Significance: East-Syrian Christians and Public Discussions with Muslims
4. Muhammad as a Carnal Warrior and Scheming Ruler: West-Syrian Christians and Refutations of the Prophet
5. Muhammad as an Anti-Saint: Martyr Saints and Hamartiography of the Prophet
6. Muhammad as a Tainted Vessel of Christ: An Anonymous Counter-Chronicle of the Prophet
7. Muhammad as a Vanquished Anti-Hero: A Convert, a Translator and Polemic Exposing the Prophet
8. Muhammad as a Powerless Prophet to the Arabs: Paul of Antioch and Letters Written to Muslims
9. Muhammad as a Prophet and Colonial Goad for Persecutors: Mary Fisher and a Notorious Encounter with a Sultan
10. Muhammad as a Redundant Gabriel And Missionary Conscript: Samuel Ajayi Crowther and West African Mission to Muslims
11. Muhammad as a Signpost for Fellow Pilgrims: Lamin Sanneh and Christian Appreciation for the Prophet's Biography
Conclusion
Bibliography
Index
1. Muhammad as a Christian Catechumen: Sergius-Bahira and a Legendary Counter history
2. Muhammad as a Prophet of Inferior Monotheism: John of Damascus and a New History of the World
3. Muhammad as a Retrograde Moses of Minimal Significance: East-Syrian Christians and Public Discussions with Muslims
4. Muhammad as a Carnal Warrior and Scheming Ruler: West-Syrian Christians and Refutations of the Prophet
5. Muhammad as an Anti-Saint: Martyr Saints and Hamartiography of the Prophet
6. Muhammad as a Tainted Vessel of Christ: An Anonymous Counter-Chronicle of the Prophet
7. Muhammad as a Vanquished Anti-Hero: A Convert, a Translator and Polemic Exposing the Prophet
8. Muhammad as a Powerless Prophet to the Arabs: Paul of Antioch and Letters Written to Muslims
9. Muhammad as a Prophet and Colonial Goad for Persecutors: Mary Fisher and a Notorious Encounter with a Sultan
10. Muhammad as a Redundant Gabriel And Missionary Conscript: Samuel Ajayi Crowther and West African Mission to Muslims
11. Muhammad as a Signpost for Fellow Pilgrims: Lamin Sanneh and Christian Appreciation for the Prophet's Biography
Conclusion
Bibliography
Index
