Cross and crescent : responding to the challenge of Islam / Colin Chapman

Is the Muslim my neighbor?For increasing numbers of 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, bringing with it the collision of worldviews.When the cross meets the crescent, what ought to happen? In the newly revised classic Cross and Crescent, Colin Chapman brings remarkable sensitivity and humanity to a question that too often incites hostility and suspicion. He introduces Islam in its historical context, its theological assumptions and, most important, its common practice in the West. In this comprehensive, gracious introduction to Islam, you will meet the Muslims in your community and learn how to love these neighbors as yourself. acknowledgments 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 9 Muhammad 8 The Qur’an 10 Tradition (Hadith and Sunna 11 Law (Sharfa) 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 o f 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. 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 Features & BenefitsAddresses the contemporary collision of Western and Islamic worldviewsOffers a valuable overview of everyday Islamic faith and practiceOutlines cultural and doctrinal meeting points and points of departure between Islam and ChristianityDraws on the author's many years of experience in working with students in Egypt, Lebanon and Cyprus Relating To Our Muslim Neighbors -- Understanding Islam -- Entering Into Discussion And Dialogue -- Facing Fundamental Issues -- Sharing Our Faith. Colin Chapman. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [348]-354) And Index. It is not hard to understand why the cross has been a major symbol-if not the major symbol-of Christianity since the beginning.