Power: Divine and Human

This volume of the Building Bridges Seminar, Power: Divine and Human, Christian and Muslim Perspectives, comprises pairs of essays by Christians and Muslims which introduce texts for dialogical study, plus the actual text-excerpts themselves.

This new book goes far beyond mere reporting on a dialogical seminar; rather, it provides guidance and materials for constructing a similar dialogical experience on a particular topic. As a resource for comparative theology, Power: Divine and Human is unique in that it takes up a topic not usually explored in depth in Christian-Muslim conversations. It is written by scholars for scholars. However, in tone and structure, it is suitable for the non-specialist as well. Students (undergraduate and graduate), religious leaders, and motivated non-specialists will find it readable and useful. While it falls solidly in the domain of comparative theology, it can also be used in courses on dialogical reading of scripture, interreligious relations, and political philosophy.

Table of Contents

Participants

Introduction

PART ONE: OVERVIEWS

The Power of God and Islam’s Regime of Power on Earth
Jonathan Brown

Religion and Power: A Christian Perspective
Philip Sheldrake


PART TWO: THE THEME OF “POWER” IN MUSLIM AND CHRISTIAN SCRIPTURES

The Contours of God’s Power: An Introduction to Passages from the Qurʾan and Hadith
Martin Nguyen

The Qurʾan and Hadith on God’s Power: Islamic Texts for Dialogue

Biblical Conceptions of Power—Divine and Human
Stephen L. Cook

The Bible on Divine and Human Power: Christian Texts for Dialogue

PART THREE: THE THEME OF “POWER AND COMMUNITY” IN ISLAMIC AND CHRISTIAN WRITINGS

Ideals and Realities of Muslim Community Ordering
Ahmet Alibašić

Islamic Texts on Ideals and Realities of Muslim Community Ordering

From Nation to Church: The Community of God’s Rule
Joan O’Donovan

Christian Texts on the Community of God’s Rule

PART FOUR: POLITICAL POWER AND FAITH

The Role of the Community in the Broader World:
Islamic Perspectives
Mahan Mirza

Islamic Texts for Dialogue on Community in the Broader World
Faith and Political Power: A “Non-Establishment” Reading
of the Christian Tradition
Jonathan Chaplin

Christian Texts for Dialogue on Faith and Political Power

PART FIVE: REFLECTIONS

Conversations on Power: Some Reflections on Building Bridges
Seminar 2017
Lucinda Mosher

Subject Index

Scriptural Citation Index

About the Editors

Reviews

"The Building Bridges series of Christian-Muslim dialogues have become a unique and indispensable repository of resources to dialogue as theological exchange. The latest publication around the question of ‘Power’ is another invaluable resource for anyone looking for serious interactions between Christians and Muslims on one of the most pressing issues within and across the two faiths. What . . . distinguish[es] the Building Bridges contributions to Christian-Muslim scholarship is the way in which they consistently model a high quality of theological reflection with a confident ownership of the respective traditions in dialogue."—Richard Sudworth, Secretary for Inter Religious Affairs to the Archbishop of Canterbury and National Inter Religious Affairs Adviser, Church of England

"A deep intellectual and spiritual engagement of the concept of power from Christian and Muslim perspectives. Especially rich is its ability to engage key texts which discuss the concept. A must read for those who seek to better understand the similarities and differences between the world's two largest faiths."—Younus Y. Mirza, visiting researcher at Georgetown University and director of the Barzinji Project at Shenandoah University

"Power Divine and Human: Christian and Muslim Perspectives is recommended for both Christian and Islamic studies collections."—Midwest Book Review

"[A] relevant addition to any library of theology and comparative theology."—Muslim World Book Review

Contributors

Ahmet AlibasićJonathan BrownJonathan ChaplinStephen CookJoan O’DonovanMahan MirzaMartin NguyenPhilip Sheldrake

Supplemental Materials

Awards

About the Author

Lucinda Mosher is the assistant academic director of the Building Bridges Seminar; faculty associate in Interfaith Studies, Hartford Seminary; and Center for Anglican Communion Studies Fellow at Virginia Theological Seminary, Alexandria, Virginia.

David Marshall is the World Council of Churches programme executive in interreligious dialogue and cooperation; academic director of the Building Bridges Seminar; and research fellow of the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs at Georgetown University.