Course Description
The purpose of this course is to give an overall view of theological encounters between Christians and Muslims in the Middle and Near East between the 8th and 12th centuries. In spite of severe handicaps, Christians in the East have for centuries found a modus vivendi with their Muslim neighbours. Far from becoming atrophied Christian theological thought found new ways of communicating itself so as to serve as a basis for interreligious dialogue and inculturation. Such an ancient tradition of Christian apologetics and dialogue with Islam could help inspire today’s Christians, especially in the West, in their encounter with Muslims as well as with the secular world.
Bibliography
J.M. GAUDEUL, Encounters and Clashes: Islam and Christianity in History, PISAI, Rome 1985;
J.NIELSEN – Samir KHALIL SAMIR, Christian Arab Apologetics during the ‘Abbasid Period (750-1258), E.J. Brill, Leiden 1994);