The Rev. Dr. Marcus Braybrooke DD., is a retired Anglical Clergyman and a Peace Councillor. He was Executive Director Council of Christians & Jews 1984 – 87, and Chairman of the World Congresses of Faiths 1978 – 83 & 1992 – 99, and is its current President. He is the author of more than a dozen books. His Lambeth Doctor of Divinity was presented by the Archbishop of Canterbury in recognition of “his world-wide work for inter-religious understanding and co-operation.”
Text copyright 2002 by Marcus Braybrooke. Published by John Hunt Publishing Ltd, Alresford, Hampshire SO24 9AU, UK. Used by permission of the author.
SUMMARY
(ENTIRE BOOK) A short, concise and helpful explanation of Islam — its founder, scripture and theology, as well as its presence in the modern world.
Chapters
- Forward by Shaikh Dr. M. A. Zaki Badawi
Shaikh Dr. M. A. Zaki Badawi is Principal, Muslim College, and Chair, Muslim Law Sharia Council.
- Preface
The author is aware of how members of different religions understand each other so poorly and how much ignorance and prejudice there is among them. He believes they need to emphasize the beliefs and values they share acting together for a more just and peaceful world.
- Chapter 1: Introduction
Islam and Christianity are two great monotheistic religions. They do not always agree. The author thinks we should see their disagreements as in a sense complimentary. Since 9/11, a deeper dialogue with Islam needs to be continued and deepened.
- Chapter 2: God
Dr. Braybrooke compares Christian and Muslim thinking that are parallel, some that differ and some that seem too mysterious to describe. Often the difference seem greater than they really are.
- Chapter 3: The Holy Qur’an
Some understanding of the place of scripture in other faith communities can help Christians be more aware of their particular view of scripture. Although scripture derives its authority from God, in a sense it is the community that regards a text as authoritative, that bestows authority upon it.
- Chapter 4: The Prophet Muhammad
The author affirms his conviction that there is One God who has spoken in various ways through the great religious traditions. He lists many of the positive teachings of the Prophet Muhammad.
- Chapter 5: Islam and Christianity
A few Muslim writers have opened up new and potentially fruitful areas of discussion between Muslims and Christians. Perhaps different faiths have particular insights into Truth, but that the Ultimate Divine Mystery is beyond full comprehension by the human mind.
- Chapter 6: The Responsible Use of Power
The followers of Islam call it “The Religion of Peace.” Those of the West who identify Islam with war and conflict need to be reminded of the history of violence carried out in the name of the Christian God. The author relates the teachings of Islam about the use of force.
- Chapter 7: Suffering
No religion gives an entirely adequate answer to the mystery of suffering, but the dialogue between Muslims and Christian may help both in recognizing the redemptive possibilities of suffering and the challenge to do all that is possible to relieve it.
- Chapter 8: Repentance and Forgiveness
Islamic scripture has reference to repentance and forgiveness. The author insists that both Islamic and Christian faith communities need constantly to review moral teaching and behavior according to the highest ethical standards of the faith, and rightly there should be criticism of any behavior that devalues other human beings.
- Chapter 9: The Whole of Life
The author discusses several common difficulties facing both Islam and Christianity: Secularization, worship, wealth creation and especially sexuality.
- Chapter 10: Islam in the Modern World
There are many reforms taking place within Muslim thought and the author names a number of Muslims scholars approaching the challenges of modern secular society.
- Chapter 11: Conclusion
Christians and Muslims need to: 1. Purge themselves of isolationism, violence and acquiescence in social injustice. 2. Face the values all religions share. 3. Be socially active in government, institutions and the economy. 4. Understand the values in each other’s faiths.
- Bibliography