Islamic Theological Themes - by John Renard

About the Book

"Islamic Theological Themes comprises primary sources assembled from a broad chronological and geographic spectrum. A comprehensive anthology of primary Islamic sacred texts in translation, this volume includes rare and never before translated selections, all freshly situated and introduced with a view to opening doors into the larger world of Islamic life, belief, and culture. From pretheological material on the scriptural end of the spectrum, to the more practical material at the other, John Renard broadens our concepts of what counts as "Islamic theology," situating Islamic theological literature within the context of the emerging subdiscipline of Relational/Comparative Theology. Divided into five parts, students and scholars will find this collection to be an indispensible tool"--

Book Synopsis

Comprised of primary sources assembled from a broad chronological and geographic spectrum, Islamic Theological Themes is a comprehensive anthology of primary Islamic sacred texts in translation. The volume includes rare and never before translated selections, all freshly situated and introduced with a view to opening doors into the larger world of Islamic life, belief, and culture. From pre-theological material on the scriptural end of the spectrum, to the more practical material at the other, John Renard broadens our concepts of what counts as "Islamic theology," situating Islamic theological literature within the context of the emerging sub-discipline of Relational/Comparative Theology. Divided into five parts, students and scholars will find this collection to be an indispensible tool.

From the Back Cover

"Using representative primary sources from the seventh century to the present - many of them freshly translated into English - John Renard's book offers an accessible introduction to all the major trends of Islamic theology. Without privileging any one approach, Sunni or Shi'i, Hanbali or Mu'tazili, Philosophical or Sufi, it attempts to do justice to them all. Comprehensive in scope, the book is indispensable for serious students of Islam as well as anyone interested in comparisons between monotheistic religions."--Alexander Treiger, Dalhousie University

"Another superb anthology of Islamic texts meticulouslyedited by John Renard. This comprehensive and highly accessible reader - the first in English - is destined to have a long shelf life as the main source book for all scholars, students and general readers interested in Islamic theology."--Ahmet T. Karamustafa, Professsor of History, University of Maryland

"John Renard put together a highly absorbing and very useful volume. Never before have this many voices of theology and philosophy in Islam been collected in an English book, showcasing the variety and the strength of Muslim intellectual traditions."--Frank Griffel, Yale University, author of Al-Ghazali's Philosophical Theology

Review Quotes

"Islamic Theological Themes: A Primary Source Reader, is an intellectual venture to peep into the debated discourses evolved in the underbelly of 1400 years Muslim intellectual legacy."-- "Brill"

"[A] unique contribution that will entire a new generation of students to take an interest in advanced studies in Islamic theology in its many manifestations."-- "Journal of the American Oriental Society"

"Unprecedented... The first reader to focus on the theological tradition in particular. It will thus be of considerable use for courses on Islam or on comparative religion."-- "Theological Studies"

About the Author

John Renard is Professor of Theological Studies at Saint Louis University. His many books include Seven Doors to Islam: Spirituality and the Religious Life of Muslims, Windows on the House of Islam, Friends of God: Islamic Images of Piety, Commitment, and Servanthood, and Tales of God's Friends: Islamic Hagiography in Translation, all from UC Press.