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A Common Word (Surah 3:64) between Muslims and Christians?
Author(s) -
Wrogemann Henning
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
international review of mission
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.118
H-Index - 11
eISSN - 1758-6631
pISSN - 0020-8582
DOI - 10.1111/irom.12396
Subject(s) - islam , witness , doctrine , conviction , philosophy , faith , theology , sociology , religious studies , law , linguistics , political science
The article inquires critically into the operative understanding of “unity” when the motto of the WCC assembly speaks of the love of Christ uniting the world. What does this mean for the relationship between Christians and other religions, especially Islam? Muslims repeatedly refer to the “Common Word” mentioned in Surah 3:64 as the basis of Muslim–Christian interactions. The author shows that Muslims and Christians dispute over what “to be lord” means precisely, since Christians recognize and testify to God’s presence in Jesus Christ, their Lord. The Islamic doctrine of the uniqueness of God ( tawḥīd in Arabic) fundamentally contradicts this conviction. The author shows that in Muslim practice, very different consequences may derive from tawḥīd , ranging from cooperation to conflict. Along the lines of a polyphonic understanding, the author seeks ways for a peaceful coexistence that does not comprise the Christian faith witness.