Islam and Christianity: Comparing Theologies

The encounter between Islam and Christianity, as I have noted before, remains enormously significant for our time. A recent publication continues the exploration of these two traditions together: John Renard, Islam and Christianity: Theological Themes in Comparative Perspective (University of California Press, 2011), 344pp. 

About this book the publisher tells us:

In light of the widespread public perception of incompatibility between Islam and Christianity, this book provides a much-needed straightforward comparison of these two great faith traditions from a broad theological perspective. Award-winning scholar John Renard illuminates the similarities as well as the differences between Islam and Christianity through a clear exploration of four major dimensions--historical, creedal, institutional, and ethical and spiritual. Throughout, the book features comparisons between concrete elements such as creedal statements, prayer texts, and writings from major theologians and mystics. It also includes a glossary of technical theological terms. For western readers in particular, this balanced, authoritative work overturns some common stereotypes about Islam, especially those that have emerged in the decade since September 11, 2001.

I sent this book out for specialized review, and that review will be published in Logos: A Journal of Eastern Christian Studies in the spring of 2012. Our reviewer, Brenda Llewellyn Ihssen, calls Renard's book "not only an academic achievement but nearly an artistic achievement as well, as it is a beautiful analysis of two faiths for which the author obviously has great respect and affection. Renard’s analysis makes a significant and thoughtful contribution."