Christian Lives Given to the Study of Islam - by Christian W Troll & C T R Hewer (Hardcover)

About the Book

A collection of 28 articles by Christian students of Islam, each with several decades of experience. They address motivation, methodologies, spiritual and intellectual nourishment, achievements and personal reflections. They come from many Christian churches and nationalities and bring a worldwide perspective to the subject. A unique record of a unique generation.

Book Synopsis

This book captures the autobiographical reflections of twenty-eight Christian men and women who, in the wake of the Second Vatican Council, committed their lives to the study of Islam and to practical Christian-Muslim relations in new and irenic ways. Their contributions come from across the spectrum of the Western church and record what drew them into the study of Islam. Their accounts take us to twenty-five countries and into all the branches of Islamic studies: Qur'an, Hadith, Shari'a, Sufism, philology, theology, and philosophy. They give fascinating insights into personal encounters with Islam and Muslims, speak of the ways in which their Christian traditions of spiritual training formed and nourished them, and deal with some of the misunderstandings and opposition they have faced along the way.

Review Quotes

". . . Fascinating insights into personal encounters with Islam and Muslims. . . "-- "" --Journal of the Islamic Studies Association of India"

One only needs to pick up a newspaper, turn on the television, or access the world wide web in order to see the importance and relevance of Islam and Muslim lives. This beautiful book is a significant contribution to our knowledge of both Islam and Christianity. It is unique in that it provides the stories of Christians - from a variety of Christian perspectives--who have committed their personal and professional lives to a better understanding of Islam and Muslims. The stories that they tell are as lively as they are informative.-----Amir Hussain, Loyola Marymount University

Unlike any other volume in the field of Christian-Muslim Relations, this book gathers the accumulated wisdom of three generations of Christian scholars of Islam of how their research, teaching, ministry, friendship with Muslims, and experiences in dialogue and relations have deeply affected their lives and greatly influenced their work. Such a collection of fascinating personal narratives, especially by the many who have inspired others to Christian-Muslim relations and Islamic studies, allows glimpses and not a few insights into the learning and the experience behind some of the best work by these contributors.-----John Borelli, Georgetown University

About the Author

Christian W. Troll (b. 1937), a Jesuit priest, has engaged in studies of Islam and of Christian-Muslim Relations since 1961. After studying in Bonn, Tübingen, Beirut, and Munich, he graduated and received his doctorate from the School of Oriental and African Studies, London University. He is the author of several books and numerous articles and has taught in India, Rome, the United Kingdom, and Germany.

C. T. R. Hewer (b. 1952) studied Christian theology, education and Islamic studies mainly in Birmingham, Liverpool, and Manchester. He was a member of the Centre for the Study of Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations, Selly Oak, from 1986, and was adviser on Inter-Faith Relations to the Bishop of Birmingham (1999-2005). From 2006-10 he was St. Ethelburga Fellow in Christian-Muslim Relations in London.