Abstract
The Building Bridges Seminar, which has brought Muslim and Christian scholars worldwide together since 2002, is an interfaith initiative of the Anglican Communion. Its latest publication focuses on the problem of monotheism in Christianity and Islam, which was the theme of 2016. The first four parts of the book each provide a longer presentation on the topic, followed by a response and brief selection of relevant primary texts. Parts 1 and 2 examine the oneness of God, first in the Bible, then in the Qur’an and Hadith; parts 3 and 4 consider divine unity (and Trinity) in Christian doctrine and Islamic tradition. The final chapter includes reflections on the experiences of the participants.
This text, as is the case with most of the previously published “records” of the Building Bridges Seminar, is an extremely useful summary of the major theological issues between Muslims and Christians. Monotheism has historically served both as the common starting point for engagement, as well as for disagreement, between the two communities, and arguably underlies their every interaction. The text illustrates this well, beginning with expressions of God’s oneness, then moving to the Christian Trinity and discussions concerning tawhīd related to the Divine Names and attributes in Islam. Each chapter is clear and substantial, with useful responses that provide relevant questions to be considered as the dialogue moves forward.
The Seminar is to be commended for its methodology and success in producing a high-quality publication that is valuable for educated lay people, students, and clergy involved in interreligious dialogue. The stated goal of the group is to gain clarity and refine mutual understanding and this book is a positive step towards that end. Further, it is an excellent example of scholars of (sometimes profoundly) different beliefs “thinking together” about “whether the differences ultimately matter” (181). Indeed, this book is highly recommended for anyone committed to serious and positive engagement between the two religious communities.