Muslims and Christians -- Beginnings of a conversation

Recently a group of Muslim Scholars wrote a lengthy document extending the hand of friendship out to Pope Benedict XVI and other Christians, inviting conversation. Several responses have been offered in response. The letter from the Muslim scholars, which I've yet to read, apparently holds out much hope. The Pope has recently acknowledged this overture. And a response drawn up by Miroslav Volf and others from Yale Divinity School accepts the offer as well, while giving a response to the points made by the letter. Indeed, there have been a great number of responses. Unfortunately I've not had time to read either the Muslim document or the responses.
But despite my lack of attention to the details of these documents, the fact that these documents have been written is very helpful. It is heartening that we're beginning to see signs of a new day ahead of us.
It is something worth keeping in prayer.
For a recent story click here.
For the Muslim Letter click here.
And for the Yale Answer click here.

Comments

Dennis said…
This is certainly encouraging. I do wonder how it is perceived by extremists in either religion...there are some Catholics and Protestants who can't seem to get so far as to acknowledge one another as Christians, and much the same is true among some Shi'ite and Sunni Muslims. I sure like the idea of that the leaders of every religion could commit to justice and peace; part of the historic problem is that justice, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder, and that extremists on all sides feel themselves to be victims of injustice. To be able to say, "Our doctrinal disagreement is less important than our commitment to love God and neighbor" is a huge step in the right direction...I don't see anything in the Yale-led response that I'd be unwilling to sign my name to.

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