The intriguing connection between Christianity and Islam, through the lost "heresy" of Jewish Christianity.
Mustafa Akyol is a regular columnist for the Hurriyet Daily News, Al-Monitor.com, and the International New York Times. His book, Islam without Extremes, has been reviewed and quoted by a myriad of publications - includingThe Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Washington Post,NPR, The Guardian, National Review, Washington Times. Akyol has appeared on Fareed Zakaria's GPS on CNN, Hardtalk on BBC, and TED.com. Islam without Extremes was long-listed for the 2012 Lionel Gelber Prize literary prize, along with titles by Henry Kissinger, Francis Fukuyama and Niall Ferguson.
"Provides valuable insights ... a brave commentary." --The
Christian Science Monitor "Akyol finds striking convergences
between what we know of some Jewish Christians and the teachings of
Islam...[Akyol] has laid the ground for some rich, respectful
conversations between Christians, Muslims and Jews." --The
Economist "A welcome expansion of the fragile territory known as
common ground." --The New York Times "Aykol has produced an
exceptionally compelling work that promotes religious tolerance and
understanding. Recommended for religious scholars and anyone with
an interest in religion." --Library Journal "An intriguing
exploration of the Muslim understanding of Jesus. ... A fascinating
bridge text between Islam and Christianity." --Kirkus Reviews "In a
conversational style and with studious acumen, Akyol shows
scintillating connections between "Jewish followers of Jesus and
Arab followers of Muhammad" and how Jewish Christianity possibly
shaped the Qur'an's view of Isa--the Arabic name of Jesus...a solid
read for those interested in the history of theology and
religions." --Publisher's Weekly (starred review) "This work helps
Westerners, especially Christians, to gain more insight into the
Islamic understanding of Jesus - upon whom be peace- and also into
why, while he is so highly venerated in Islam, he is not divinized
as he is in Christianity but remains a prophet." --Seyyed Hossein
Nasr, Professor of Islamic Studies, The George Washington
University "Anyone interested in the deeper relationship between
Judaism, Christianity, and Islam will learn much from Mustafa
Akyol's thoughtful, clearly written, and well researched analysis
of how Jewish beliefs and practiced carried over into Christianity,
Christian themes were preserved by some Jewish groups, and both,
but especially Christianity, were received in Islam. Drawing upon
accepted Christian Scriptures as well as lesser known apocryphal
writings and related sources, Akyol makes a compelling case for
recognizing more common ground among the three faiths than has been
heretofore acknowledged. His compelling book is a must read for
friends and foes of the Children of Abraham theme." --Charles
Butterworth, Emeritus Professor, Department of Government &
Politics, University of Maryland "In this highly readable and
provocative book, Mustafa Akyol establishes the unique role played
by Jesus within the Islamic tradition. Most importantly, Akyol
turns radical revisionist arguments on their head to make the
compelling case that Jesus' life when properly understood confirms
the Islamic belief that there is no inherent contradiction between
the Biblical and Qur'anic worldviews. From this vantage point,
Jesus does not divide the Abrahamic religions but reconciles them,
a message much needed in our divisive times." --Asma Afsaruddin,
Professor of Islamic Studies, Indiana University "Whether one
agrees or disagrees with the historical nuances Akyol presents, one
can certainly applaud his significant effort to call people of the
respective faith traditions away from the 'us-versus-them'
mentality to not only exploring common ground but a respectful
exploration of how each of us fit into the larger story of God's
interaction throughout human history. His focus on the message of
the Christ rather than on the nature of the Christ, is a helpful
focus towards interaction which can benefit all. Further, his
cultivation of a space of Abrahamic soil - the 'Abrahamic
archetype' - upon which we can come together and benefit in a
mutual sharing of faith, points a direction worth pursuing... The
Islamic Jesus is a read worth the consideration of those from both
the Biblically based faith tradition and the Qur'anic based faith
tradition who are serious about their faith and their relations
with people of other faiths." --Jerald Whitehouse, former director
of the Global Center for Adventist Muslim Relations of the General
Conference of Seventh-day Adventists "The Islamic Jesus is a
learned and thought-provoking exploration of the figure of Jesus in
Islam. Mustafa Akyol develops a measured and distinctive argument
of how the Islamic understanding of Jesus is connected to Judaism
and Christianity. At the same time he challenges readers to
consider how earlier religious controversies, and the figure of
Jesus himself, might offer guidance for Islam today." --Gabriel
Said Reynolds, Professor of Islamic Studies and Theology,
University of Notre Dame "Mustafa Akyol is the kind of public
intellectual our fractured world needs. He is anchored in a
specific tradition but also capable of engaging others with nuance,
humility, and good will. In this timely and important book, Akyol
provides an insightful account of an Islamic Jesus and a wonderful
resource for anyone interested in Abrahamic dialogue." --John
Barton, PhD, Director of the Center for Faith and Learning,
Pepperdine University "Interfaith dialogue is undoubtedly an
admirable way of advancing tolerance and understanding. But
removing one's 'military boots' and stepping into the proverbial
shoes of another religious conviction in order to ask 'what can
Jesus teach Muslims today?' is the preferred way of this book,
which I applaud unequivocally. Akyol's proposition to discern the
Islamic Jesus through the early apocryphal literature uncannily
echoes the Orthodox Church's priority to illuminate the Gospel
Jesus through the eastern liturgical tradition." --Rev. Dr. John
Chryssavgis, Archdeacon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and author
of Bartholomew: Apostle and Visionary
"The Islamic Jesus is about so much more than Islam or Jesus. It's
about the very bridge that connects Jews and Christians with the
followers of Mohammad. Regardless of whether he's a Jewish radical
or a Christian Messiah, Jesus is also one of the most beloved
prophets in Islam. In this book, Mustafa Akyol expertly distills
the Jesus persona and the role it plays in all three religions.
This is a profound contribution in proving that Judaism and
Christianity are not adversaries to Muslims, but rather intrinsic
parts of the entire Islamic belief system." --Reza Aslan, author of
No god but God and Zealot
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