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Cross and Crescent: Responding to the Challenges of Islam, By Colin Chapman

Cross and Crescent

Responding to the Challenges of Islam

Second Edition

by Colin Chapman

Cross and Crescent
Paperback
$31.99
  • Length: 400 pages
  • Dimensions: 5.5 × 8.25 in
  • Published: January 28, 2008
  • Imprint: IVP
  • ISBN: 9780830834853
Other Formats:

Are Muslims our neighbors? For increasing numbers of Western Christians, the answer to that question is yes.The crescent, an emblem of the Islamic faith recognized throughout the world, is gaining prominence in the West. As a result, we face an ongoing collision of Western and Islamic worldviews.We have all witnessed the violence and suspicion that can characterize these collisions. But what is the way of the cross? How can we Christians greet our neighbors with the love and thoughtful engagement that reflects the character of Christ and the truth of the gospel?Out of years of experience in working with students in Egypt, Lebanon and Cyprus, Colin Chapman presents a valuable overview of everyday Islamic faith and practice. He carefully outlines the cultural and doctrinal meeting points and points of departure between Islam and Christianity. And he lays the groundwork for us to love Muslims as we love ourselves.

REVIEWS

"I recommend this book to all who need to understand the phenomenon of Islam, and anyone who seriously wants to relate to Muslims should buy a copy."John Meadowcroft, Bible College of New Zealand
"Cross and Crescent enables Christians to relate to Muslims positively without feeling that they are compromising their own beliefs. Chapman is not afraid to call down those who are either unreflectively hostile to Islam (such as writers who simply write off Muhammad as antichrist) or excessively conciliatory (such as interpreters who try to make Islam more sympathetic to Christ's crucifixion than it is). He, in turn, provides a guide that facilitates awareness, leading to informed and biblical attitudes. This is a beneficial book both intellectually and practically."Winfried Corduan, Ph.D., Professor of Philosophy and Religion, Taylor University, and author of Neighboring Faiths and A Tapestry of Faiths
"Colin Chapman's book is intended as a guide for Christians who find themselves encountering Muslims for the first time. The book would be useful for Christians of any theological persuasion . . . especially for those who are basically scared of Islam, afraid even of picking up a copy of the Qur'an. Colin Chapman's book will quickly enable them to move on constructively from such a crude and negative view."Hugh Goddard, University of Nottingham
"Muslims will not be won by sincere superficiality. Through this careful, thorough book burns a desire for God?s unveiling."Howard Peskett, vice principal and teacher of mission and religion, Trinity College
"In a day of mutual stereotyping between Muslims and Christians, Colin Chapman draws on years of first-hand experience with Muslims to offer a superb blend of appreciative and biblical reflection about Islam and practical suggestions for interacting with Muslims that identifies the major issues between our faiths and leads to meaningful forms of Christian witness."J. Dudley Woodberry, Dean Emeritus and Professor of Islamic Studies, Fuller Theological Seminary
"Cross and Crescent is a rich resource. Not intended as an academic textbook, rather it is something of a manual for Christians who want to develop worthwhile and well-informed relationships with Muslims. This practical aim is never far from view."David Marshall, Oxford University
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CONTENTS

Foreword
Introduction
Part 1: Relating to Our Muslim Neighbors
1. Meeting Face to Face
2. Appreciating Islamic Culture
3. Examining Our Attitudes
4. Visiting a Mosque
5. Facing Immediate Issues
Resources for Further Study
Part 2: Understanding Islam
6. Muslims at Prayer
7. Basic Muslim Beliefs and Practices
8. The Qur'an
9. Muhammad
10. Tradition (Hadith and Sunna)
11. Law (Shari'a) and Theology (Kalam)
12. Subgroups in Islam
13. Sufism
14. "Folk" or "Popular" Islam
15. The Spread and Development of Islam
16. Islam and Muslims in the World Today
17. Women in Islam
Resources for Further Study
Part 3: Entering into Discussion and Dialogue
18. Questions and Objections Concerning Christian Practice
19. Questions and Objections Concerning Christian Beliefs
20. Social and Political Issues
21. Guidelines and Aims in Discussion with Muslims
22. A Deeper Look at the Main Muslim Objections
23. Learning from the Controversies of the Past
24. Exploring Dialogue
Resources for Further Study
Part 4: Facing Fundamental Issues
25. Theological Questions
26. The Islamic View of Jesus
27. Crucial Differences: The Parting of the Ways
28. Thinking Biblically about Islam
29. Counting the Cost of Conversion
30. Facing the Political Challenge of Islam
Resources for Further Study
Part 5: Sharing Our Faith
31. Natural Openings in Everyday Life
32. Christian Responses to "Folk Islam"
33. Using the Bible
34. Rethinking and Restating the Gospel
35. Strategies for the Church: What Can We Do Together?
Resources for Further Study
Conclusion: Walking the Way of the Cross
Notes

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ABOUT Colin Chapman

Colin Chapman

Colin Chapman is lecturer in Islamic studies at the Near East School of Theology in Beirut. A former principal of Crowther Hall, Birmingham (the Church Mission Society training college), he also worked for thirteen years previously in Egypt and Lebanon with CMS. He is also the author of Whose Promised Land?.

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