A record of the 2015 Building Bridges Seminar for leading Christian and Muslim scholars, this collection of essays explores the nature of divine and human agency through themes of creation’s goal, humankind’s dignity and task, and notions of sovereignty. Part I sets the context for the book with “Human Action within Divine Creation: A Muslim Perspective” by Mohsen Kadivar of Duke University and “On the Possibility of Holy Living: A Christian Perspective” by Lucy Gardner of Oxford University. The rest of the book includes paired essays—one from a Muslim perspective, one from a Christian perspective—that introduce scriptural material with commentary to aid readers in conducting dialogical study. In her conclusion, coeditor Lucinda Mosher digests the illuminating small-group conversations that lie at the heart of the Building Bridges initiative, conversations that convey a vivid sense of the lively, penetrating but respectful dialogue for which the project is known. This unique volume will be a valuable resource to scholars, students, and professors of Christianity and Islam.
Table of Contents
Introduction
PART I: OVERVIEWS
Human Action within Divine Creation: A Muslim Perspective
Mohsen Kadivar
On the Possibility of Holy Living: A Christian Perspective
Lucy Gardner
PART II: GOD’S CREATION AND ITS GOAL
God’s Creation and Its Goal: A Muslim Perspective
Sohaira Zahid Siddiqui
God’s Creation and Its Goal: A Christian Perspective
Richard Bauckham
Scripture Dialogue 1: God’s Creation and Its Goal
Passages from the Qurʾān
Passages from the Bible
PART III: THE DIGNITY AND TASK OF HUMANKIND WITHIN GOD’S CREATION
Creativity, Covenant, and Christ
Brandon Gallaher
To Be Khalīfah: The Human Vocation in Relation to Nature and Community
Maria Massi Dakake
Scripture Dialogue 2: The Dignity and Task of Humankind within God’s Creation
Passages from the Bible
Passages from the Qurʾān
PART IV: HUMAN ACTION WITHIN THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD
Human Freedom and Divine Sovereignty: Muslim Perspectives
Feras Q. Hamza
Human Action within the Sovereignty of God: Christian Perspectives
Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen
Scripture Dialogue 3: Human Action within the Sovereignty of God
Passages from the Qurʾān
Passages from the Bible
PART V: REFLECTION
Discussion in Doha: Listening in on the Building Bridges Process
Lucinda Mosher
Index
About the Editors
Reviews
"An excellent resource for scholars exploring the theme of divine and human creativity, especially those with an interest in Christian-Muslim theological interchange."—Dialogue & Alliance
"A very important contribution to the theological debate of divine and human agency and to Christian-Muslim dialogue. I recommend it highly."—Rev. Alexander S. Jensen, principal, Eastern Region Ministry Course, Cambridge, UK
About the Author
Lucinda Mosher, assistant academic director, Building Bridges Seminar, is Faculty Associate in Interfaith Studies at Hartford Seminary.
David Marshall, academic director, Building Bridges Seminar, is Affiliate Research Fellow of the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs, Georgetown University, Washington, DC.
