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A Comparative History of Catholic and AÅ¡âarÄ« Theologies of Truth and Salvation
Inclusive Minorities, Exclusive Majorities
Series: - Currents of Encounter, Volume: 66
Author:
In A Comparative History of Catholic and AÅ¡âarÄ« Theologies of Truth and Salvation Mohammed Gamal Abdelnour analytically and critically compares the historical development of the Catholic theologies of truth and salvation with those of its Islamic counterpart, AÅ¡Ê¿arism. The monograph moves the discussion from individual theologians to theological schools with a view to helping consolidate the young field of Comparative Theology. It serves two types of readers. First, the specialist who wants to dig deeper into the two traditions parallelly. Second, the generalist who may not have the time to become thoroughly familiar with every aspect of Christian-Muslim theologies. Both readers will come out with a holistic understanding of the development of Christian and Muslim theologies of truth and salvation; a holistic understanding that increases the appetite of the former and quenches that of the latter. Despite the holistic nature of the monograph, attention is duly paid to the specificities of each tradition in a deep and profound manner.
Mohammed Gamal Abdelnour, Ph.D. (2020), SOAS University of London, is a faculty member at Al-Azhar University (Cairo) and a postdoctoral researcher at SOAS. He has published several articles on Islamic theology and religion, including The Islamic Theology of Interfaith Marriages between Theology, Law and Individual Ijtihad (RSIS, June 2020).
"Abdelnourâs volume is a very welcome contribution to this scholarly genre. As for overall purpose, he considers his work a âmap for students of Christian-Muslim relationsâ, and it can play that role admirably. It will make a very useful centre-piece for such a course, providing adequate context and detail to introduce students with at least a general background in religious studies and theology to the bookâs complex topic and investigative premises. Abdelnourâs generous bibliography will supply numerous possibilities for additional teaching material useful for both instructor and students." - John Renard, Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations (14 July 2021).
"This book is a significant and original piece of research on an important subject. Mohammed Gamal excelled in studying Islamic Theology at al-Azhar University in Cairo, but then had the wider vision and motivation to compare the teachings of Islam with Christianity on one key theme, salvation, the ultimate hope of the faithful in both traditions, though differently expressed. His deep and intelligent historical study of Islamic and Christian sources gives the work a doubly authentic and balanced picture. This book offers a leading example for Muslims, Christians and other scholars of theology and interfaith studies to build on." - Muhammad Abdel Haleem, Professor of Islamic Studies, SOAS, University of London
"This is a most substantial and original contribution to inter-faith conversation - an insightful comparative study of the central issue of how diverse schools of thought within Christianity and Islam understand "salvation", and how they think about the limits of the holy or chosen community. It builds on wide and deep familiarity with primary sources in both traditions, addressing both theological and sociological questions, and offers a particularly vivid and expert account of debates within the Islamic world. It will make a unique contribution to Christian-Muslim understanding and will do much to nurture a more sophisticated grasp of the rich internal variety of both religious discourses."- Rowan Williams, Honorary Professor of Contemporary Christian Thought, University of Cambridge
"Gamal provides an instructive guide to Catholic and AÅ¡âarÄ« theologies of truth and salvation. His intimate familiarity with both traditions, his sympathetic and intelligent observations throughout, and his tracing of their similarities and differences reveal fascinating structural similarities in the way that the greatest minds and theological schools in each tradition tackle the issues. Gamal, writing from within Islam, also tentatively indicates constructive and faithful steps forward. This is comparative theology at its best." - Gavin D'Costa, Professor of Catholic Theology, University of Bristol
"Examining salvation in the Catholic and Ashâarite traditions, this monograph nuances the major shifts of interpretation that have taken place from their formative periods up to modern times. It dextrously addresses seminal questions as to whether and how someone from without a particular tradition might achieve salvation, simultaneously highlighting how theology responds to the historical contexts in which it is embedded. The authorâs singular capacity to appraise authoritatively both the Catholic and Asharite traditions leads to powerful conclusions on issues that are vitally relevant today." - Dr Erica C.D. Hunter, Senior Lecturer Eastern Christianity and Associate Dean of Research, SOAS, University of London
"This book is a significant and original piece of research on an important subject. Mohammed Gamal excelled in studying Islamic Theology at al-Azhar University in Cairo, but then had the wider vision and motivation to compare the teachings of Islam with Christianity on one key theme, salvation, the ultimate hope of the faithful in both traditions, though differently expressed. His deep and intelligent historical study of Islamic and Christian sources gives the work a doubly authentic and balanced picture. This book offers a leading example for Muslims, Christians and other scholars of theology and interfaith studies to build on." - Muhammad Abdel Haleem, Professor of Islamic Studies, SOAS, University of London
"This is a most substantial and original contribution to inter-faith conversation - an insightful comparative study of the central issue of how diverse schools of thought within Christianity and Islam understand "salvation", and how they think about the limits of the holy or chosen community. It builds on wide and deep familiarity with primary sources in both traditions, addressing both theological and sociological questions, and offers a particularly vivid and expert account of debates within the Islamic world. It will make a unique contribution to Christian-Muslim understanding and will do much to nurture a more sophisticated grasp of the rich internal variety of both religious discourses."- Rowan Williams, Honorary Professor of Contemporary Christian Thought, University of Cambridge
"Gamal provides an instructive guide to Catholic and AÅ¡âarÄ« theologies of truth and salvation. His intimate familiarity with both traditions, his sympathetic and intelligent observations throughout, and his tracing of their similarities and differences reveal fascinating structural similarities in the way that the greatest minds and theological schools in each tradition tackle the issues. Gamal, writing from within Islam, also tentatively indicates constructive and faithful steps forward. This is comparative theology at its best." - Gavin D'Costa, Professor of Catholic Theology, University of Bristol
"Examining salvation in the Catholic and Ashâarite traditions, this monograph nuances the major shifts of interpretation that have taken place from their formative periods up to modern times. It dextrously addresses seminal questions as to whether and how someone from without a particular tradition might achieve salvation, simultaneously highlighting how theology responds to the historical contexts in which it is embedded. The authorâs singular capacity to appraise authoritatively both the Catholic and Asharite traditions leads to powerful conclusions on issues that are vitally relevant today." - Dr Erica C.D. Hunter, Senior Lecturer Eastern Christianity and Associate Dean of Research, SOAS, University of London
Transliteration and Dating
Acknowledgements
Introduction
â1 The Importance of the Subject
â2 The State of the Field
ââ2.1 Rifat Atay
ââ2.2 Mohammad H. Khalil
ââ2.3 Esra A. Dag
â3 Critical Evaluation and Objectives of the Monograph
â4 Methodology (from Theology of Religions to Comparative Theology)
â5 Methodical Concerns
ââ5.1 Important Qualifications and Limitations
ââ5.2 Periodization and Structure
ââ5.3 Overview of the Monograph
1 The Early Catholic Theology of Salvation
â1 The Salvation Epistemology of the Early Church Fathers
ââ1.1 St. Paul (d. c. 64/67)
ââ1.2 The Inclusivist School
âââ1.2.1 Justin Martyr (d. 165)
âââ1.2.2 Irenaeus (d. c. 180/90)
âââ1.2.3 Clement of Alexandria (d. c. 215)
âââ1.2.4 Origen (d. c. 253)
ââ1.3 The Exclusivist School
âââ1.3.1 Ignatius (d. c. 117)
âââ1.3.2 Tertullian (d. c. 240)
âââ1.3.3 Cyprian (d. 258)
ââ1.4 Augustine and the Consolidation of Exclusivism
â2 Soteriology of the Early Church Fathers
ââ2.1 The Apokatastasis
ââ2.2 Christâs Descent into Hell
2 Early AÅ¡âarite Theology of Salvation (Hadith-Based Theology)
â1 Early AÅ¡âarite Epistemology of Intra-Muslim Salvation
â2 Early AÅ¡ârite Intra-Muslim Soteriology
â3 Early AÅ¡âarite Epistemology of Inter-Religious Salvation
â4 Early AÅ¡âarite Inter-Religious Soteriology
â5 Early AÅ¡âarites and the Question of Intercession
â6 Conclusion and Comparison
3 St. Thomas Aquinasâ Theology of Salvation
â1 Aquinasâ Epistemology of Salvation
â2 Aquinasâ Soteriology
â3 Thomistic Influence on Later Theologians
4 Abu Hamid al-Gazaliâs Theology of Salvation (Sunnah-Based Theology)
â1 Al-Gazaliâs Theology of Intra-Muslim Salvation
â2 Al-Gazaliâs Theology of Inter-Religious Salvation
ââ2.1 Al-Gazali and the Question of Intercession
ââ2.2 Can Non-Muslims be Called Muâminun âBelieversâ?
ââ2.3 Good Deeds vs. Correct Faith
â3 The AÅ¡âarite Theology of Salvation after al-Gazali
â4 Conclusion and Comparison
5 Salvation in Modern Catholicism (Massignon, Rahner and Vatican II)
â1 The Impact of Massignonâs Theology of Religions on Vatican II
ââ1.1 Massignon the Person and Islam
ââ1.2 Massignon the Scholar and Islam
ââ1.3 Massignon and Vatican II
â2 Karl Rahner and Anonymous Christians
ââ2.1 Rahnerâs Context and Theory
ââ2.2 Is there an Islamic Parallel to Rahnerâs Theory?
âââ2.2.1 The Receptive Interpretation
âââ2.2.2 The Proactive Interpretation
âââ2.2.3 The Conflictive Interpretation
âââ2.2.4 Critical Evaluation
6 Modern AÅ¡âarite Theology of Salvation (Al-Azhar and the Quran-Based Theology)
â1 Muhammad âAbduhâs Theology of Salvation
ââ1.1 âAbduhâs Theology of Intra-Muslim Salvation
ââ1.2 âAbduhâs Theology of Inter-Religious Salvation
âââ1.2.1 âAbduh and the Question of Intercession
âââ1.2.2 Concluding Remarks
â2 Sh. Mahmud Å altut and the Question of Salvation
ââ2.1 Å altutâs Theology of Intra and Inter-religious Salvation
â3 Sh. âAbd al-Halim Mahmudâs Theology of Salvation
ââ3.1 Halimâs Theology of Muslim Denominations
ââ3.2 Halimâs Theology of Religions
ââ3.3 Comparisons and Conclusions
Conclusions and Recommendations
âThe Way Forward
Glossary of Key Terms
Citation Method and Abbreviated Arabic Titles
Bibliography
âArabic Sources
âEnglish Sources
âOnline Sources
Index
Acknowledgements
Introduction
â1 The Importance of the Subject
â2 The State of the Field
ââ2.1 Rifat Atay
ââ2.2 Mohammad H. Khalil
ââ2.3 Esra A. Dag
â3 Critical Evaluation and Objectives of the Monograph
â4 Methodology (from Theology of Religions to Comparative Theology)
â5 Methodical Concerns
ââ5.1 Important Qualifications and Limitations
ââ5.2 Periodization and Structure
ââ5.3 Overview of the Monograph
1 The Early Catholic Theology of Salvation
â1 The Salvation Epistemology of the Early Church Fathers
ââ1.1 St. Paul (d. c. 64/67)
ââ1.2 The Inclusivist School
âââ1.2.1 Justin Martyr (d. 165)
âââ1.2.2 Irenaeus (d. c. 180/90)
âââ1.2.3 Clement of Alexandria (d. c. 215)
âââ1.2.4 Origen (d. c. 253)
ââ1.3 The Exclusivist School
âââ1.3.1 Ignatius (d. c. 117)
âââ1.3.2 Tertullian (d. c. 240)
âââ1.3.3 Cyprian (d. 258)
ââ1.4 Augustine and the Consolidation of Exclusivism
â2 Soteriology of the Early Church Fathers
ââ2.1 The Apokatastasis
ââ2.2 Christâs Descent into Hell
2 Early AÅ¡âarite Theology of Salvation (Hadith-Based Theology)
â1 Early AÅ¡âarite Epistemology of Intra-Muslim Salvation
â2 Early AÅ¡ârite Intra-Muslim Soteriology
â3 Early AÅ¡âarite Epistemology of Inter-Religious Salvation
â4 Early AÅ¡âarite Inter-Religious Soteriology
â5 Early AÅ¡âarites and the Question of Intercession
â6 Conclusion and Comparison
3 St. Thomas Aquinasâ Theology of Salvation
â1 Aquinasâ Epistemology of Salvation
â2 Aquinasâ Soteriology
â3 Thomistic Influence on Later Theologians
4 Abu Hamid al-Gazaliâs Theology of Salvation (Sunnah-Based Theology)
â1 Al-Gazaliâs Theology of Intra-Muslim Salvation
â2 Al-Gazaliâs Theology of Inter-Religious Salvation
ââ2.1 Al-Gazali and the Question of Intercession
ââ2.2 Can Non-Muslims be Called Muâminun âBelieversâ?
ââ2.3 Good Deeds vs. Correct Faith
â3 The AÅ¡âarite Theology of Salvation after al-Gazali
â4 Conclusion and Comparison
5 Salvation in Modern Catholicism (Massignon, Rahner and Vatican II)
â1 The Impact of Massignonâs Theology of Religions on Vatican II
ââ1.1 Massignon the Person and Islam
ââ1.2 Massignon the Scholar and Islam
ââ1.3 Massignon and Vatican II
â2 Karl Rahner and Anonymous Christians
ââ2.1 Rahnerâs Context and Theory
ââ2.2 Is there an Islamic Parallel to Rahnerâs Theory?
âââ2.2.1 The Receptive Interpretation
âââ2.2.2 The Proactive Interpretation
âââ2.2.3 The Conflictive Interpretation
âââ2.2.4 Critical Evaluation
6 Modern AÅ¡âarite Theology of Salvation (Al-Azhar and the Quran-Based Theology)
â1 Muhammad âAbduhâs Theology of Salvation
ââ1.1 âAbduhâs Theology of Intra-Muslim Salvation
ââ1.2 âAbduhâs Theology of Inter-Religious Salvation
âââ1.2.1 âAbduh and the Question of Intercession
âââ1.2.2 Concluding Remarks
â2 Sh. Mahmud Å altut and the Question of Salvation
ââ2.1 Å altutâs Theology of Intra and Inter-religious Salvation
â3 Sh. âAbd al-Halim Mahmudâs Theology of Salvation
ââ3.1 Halimâs Theology of Muslim Denominations
ââ3.2 Halimâs Theology of Religions
ââ3.3 Comparisons and Conclusions
Conclusions and Recommendations
âThe Way Forward
Glossary of Key Terms
Citation Method and Abbreviated Arabic Titles
Bibliography
âArabic Sources
âEnglish Sources
âOnline Sources
Index
The book is interesting for Western scholars and Western countries, but it might also be read in Egypt and other Muslim countries that take the authority of Al-Azhar seriously.