Common Word : Muslims And Christians On Loving God And Neighbor

In late 2007 Muslim leaders came together to issue in the pages of The New York Times an open letter to Christian leaders inviting cooperation as a step toward peace. “A Common Word between Us and You” acknowledged differences in the two faiths, but contended that “righteousness and good works” should be the only areas in which they compete. The 138 signatories included over a dozen grand muftis, an ayatollah, and a Jordanian prince, and the document was considered an enormous step toward reconciliation between Islam and Christianity – two major religions with a great deal in common. Now Miroslav Volf and Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad bin Talal of Jordan have brought that letter and a collaborative Christian response – “Loving God and Neighbor Together” – together into one remarkable volume. Beyond offering the original documents, A Common Word expands the discussion by including groundbreaking dialogue between Muslim and Christian scholars addressing critical and frequently asked questions about the two documents. This is a brave and encouraging step toward harmony and accord between two of the world’s major religions so often seen to be at odds.