A World of Inequalities

An important interfaith dialogue examines causes of global inequality and explores solutions.


In A World of Inequalities: Christian and Muslim Perspectives, fourteen leading Christian and Muslim scholars respond to the global crisis of inequality by demanding and modeling interreligious dialogue. This volume takes an intersectional approach, examining aspects of global inequality including gender, race and ethnicity, caste and social class, economic and sociopolitical disparities, and slavery. Essays explore the roots of these realities, how they are treated in Christian and Muslim traditions and texts, and how the two faiths can work together to address inequality.

A World of Inequalities brings readers into the conversation, inviting them to engage in a similar dialogue by offering pairs of essays alongside texts for close reading. Scholars, religious leaders, and students of theology and theological ethics will find this a useful resource to address this pressing issue.

Table of Contents

Participants

Introduction

Part One: Overviews

Unjust Inequality as a Challenge for Contemporary Islam, Ovamir Anjum

The Challenges of a World of Inequalities for Christians Today, David Hollenbach, SJ

Part Two: Muslims and Christians Facing the Reality of Inequality

Gender and Islam: Obstacles and Possibilities, Samia Huq

The Problem of Race in Christianity, Elizabeth Phillips

Nationality and Ethnicity in West Africa: An Economic and Religious Perspective on Inequalities, François Pazisnewende Kaboré, SJ

Islam and the Challenge of Sociopolitical Equality: The Contribution of Religious Creed, Sherman A. Jackson

Caste and Social Class in the Christian and Islamic Communities of South Asia, Sunil Caleb

Slavery: Source of Theological Tension, Jonathan Brown

Part Three: Inequality, the Bible, and the Christian Tradition

Inequality in the Old Testament, Leslie J. Hoppe, OFM

Old Testament Texts for Dialogue on Inequalities

For All of You Are One in Christ Jesus? The New Testament Witnesses on Ethnic, Economic, Social, Religious, Racial, and Gender Inequality, Christopher M. Hays

New Testament Texts for Dialogue on Inequalities

Part Four: Inequality, the Quran, and Hadith

Racial, Religious, and Gender Equality: Reflections on Quranic Texts, Abdullah Saeed

Quran and Hadith Texts for Dialogue on Human Nature, Gender, Ethnicity, Religion, and Inequality

Economic Equality and Inequality: An Introduction to Selected Quranic Texts, Abdullah Saeed

Quran and Hadith Texts for Dialogue on Economic Inequality

Part Five: Possibilities and Obstacles toward a Common Ethic of Equality

Three Strands Leading to the Edge: Considering the Possibility of a Common Ethic of Equality, C. Rosalee Velloso Ewell

Muslim-Christian Bridges: Toward a Shared Theology of Human Development?, Azza Karam

Part Six: Reflections

Considering Inequalities as Scholars of Faith: Reflections on Bridge-Building in Sarajevo, Lucinda Mosher

Reviews

"This book is a marvelous look at how both equality and inequality are addressed in various ways by Muslims and Christians. It provides us with not only a solid foundation in both religious traditions but also an opportunity to rethink our own views and reshape our own practices in light of that encounter and dialogue."—Amir Hussain, professor of Theological Studies, Loyola Marymount University

"This remarkable volume offers a rich examination of equality and inequality from Muslim and Christian perspectives. Participants from the 2018 Building Bridges Seminar in Sarajevo explore Muslim and Christian texts, traditions, and theologies as they interact with ethnicity, class, gender, race, nationality, and more. The book presents a diverse and complex conversation between Muslim and Christian scholars that is essential for our time."—Tracy Sayuki Tiemeier, associate professor, Department of Theological Studies, Loyola Marymount University

"[This book] ... provide[s] the basis for profound and hope-filled dialogues between Muslims and Christians on the international, national and local levels.... [H]ighly recommended!"—Catholic News Service

Contributors

Ovamir AnjumJonathan BrownSunil CalebC. Rosalee Velloso EwellChristopher M. HaysDavid Hollenbach, SJLeslie J. Hoppe, OFMSamia HuqSherman A. JacksonLucinda MosherFrançois Pazisnewende Kaboré, SJAzza KaramElizabeth PhillipsAbdullah Saeed

Supplemental Materials

Awards

About the Author

Lucinda Mosher is the rapporteur of the Building Bridges Seminar and coeditor of seven previous volumes generated by that dialogue. Concurrently, she is Hartford Seminary’s Faculty Associate in Interfaith Studies and an affiliate of its Macdonald Center for the Study of Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations. She holds a doctor of theology degree from the General Theological Seminary (NYC).