Gordon D. Nickel - The Quran with Christian Commentary: A Guide to Understanding the Scripture of Islam

Nickel reads the Quran primarily as a rhetorical text engaged in polemics, mostly against Jews and Christians. His reading is done largely through the lens of and to some extent in response to classical Muslim exegesis, though he does not often refer to the classical occasions of the revelation as the Qurans exclusive historical setting. This, in my view, is very commendable, for it allows him to adopt a fresh reading of the text. He does, nevertheless, often assume this classical rhetorical reading, and in this sense his commentary is often a response to classical interpretation.

Nickels reading resists the temptation of being driven by a polemical agenda, and indeed he allows himself to be positively surprised by the Qurans primary meaning, even when he shows awareness of more classical polemical readings. By doing so, Nickel reflects a desire to discern in the Quran a more positive and apologetic stance towards earlier scriptures and their recipients, removing himself from a negative polemic. By doing so, he is, in my view, imminently fair to the text.

The occasional articles on specific issues, interspersed throughout his commentary, such as on the tampering with the scriptures, jihad, apocryphal references in the Quran, the death of Jesus, manuscripts of the Quran, or the Qurans language of love, are useful to varying degrees. Some contain a more polemical edge than others, reflecting more or less faithfulness to the spirit of the Quran.

Overall, Nickels Christian commentary on the Quran is a very helpful work that offers the contemporary English reader a useful entry into a text that can otherwise appear as rather opaque to the uninitiated.

M ARTIN A CCAD , associate professor of Islamic studies, Arab Baptist Theological Seminary in Lebanon and Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California

Dr. Gordon Nickel displays an encyclopedic intimacy with the Quran and the tradition of classical commentary that ambushes its margins. He brings a committed Christian perspective without compromising high standards of detached scholarly engagement. At times combative, always clear and eloquent, and never evasive, this learned commentary on the entire Islamic scripture will both provoke and inform thoughtful Muslim and Christian readers alike. Believers eager to probe and question but not too ready with stereotypical answers shall find in it a treasure of insights.

Dr. Nickel notes and assesses the Qurans high Quranology, that is, its many self-referential verses about its uniquely miraculous status. He ultimately rejects the books claims and finds its assessment of its two rival faiths exaggerated and unwarranted. He emphasizes that the Quran, despite appearances, endorses the scriptural and textual integrity of its two revealed biblical predecessors. However, he concludes that despite its confident claims to the contrary, the Quran fails to be an adequate sequel to the Bible.

Dr. Nickel has placed both Muslim and Christian scholars in his debt with this remarkable work of Christian advocacy, offered in the spirit of Christian humility and courtesy. This is a major contribution to critical quranic scholarship, a discipline not found among the traditional sciences of the Quran approved by Islamic orthodoxy.

S HABBIR A KHTAR , faculty of theology, University of Oxford, author of The New Testament in Muslim Eyes

The text of the Quran is reproduced here in the excellent translation of Droge and supplemented by a substantial introduction, many explanatory notes, and several focus articles that shed light on various key themes of the Quran. Gordon Nickel has done very fine work in providing the Christian reader precious keys for approaching the quranic text and interreligious dialogue with Muslims.

G UILLAUME D YE , professor in Islamic studies, Universit libre de Bruxelles

This admirably comprehensive commentary explains the contents of the Quran to non-Muslim readers. In analyzing and interpreting key verses and passages that address the People of the Book, namely Christians and Jews, Gordon Nickel, along with his team of top-ranking scholars, brilliantly opens up the varied historical contexts, meanings, and implications of the Quran to a wider readership. Muslims and non-Muslims alike will benefit immensely from the erudition and exegesis that this commentary manifests, resulting in a more accurate understanding of how Islam fundamentally stands apart from the other Abrahamic faiths.

G RANT H AVERS , chair, Department of Philosophy, Trinity Western University

One can hardly think of a more important book for Christians to appear this year. This translation of the Quran contains commentary by Gordon Nickel, a foremost scholar of Islam who lived among Muslims for many years. The commentary is immensely informed, fair, and accessible. Every class on Islam ought to use this text.

G ERALD R. M C D ERMOTT , Anglican chair of divinity, director of the Institute of Anglican Studies, Beeson Divinity School

In this landmark study, Dr. Nickel carefully explains the meaning of the text of the Quran for non-Muslim readers. Dr. Nickel is a highly respected authority on the Quran, and his knowledge of its content, historical context, and the history of its interpretation by Muslim commentators is astounding. He writes with a gracious respect for the Quran and for Muslims, but he also raises important questions for thoughtful readers to consider. This is a treasure trove of information and insight, and it will undoubtedly become the standard work on the subject for years to come.

H AROLD N ETLAND , professor of philosophy of religion and intercultural studies, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

Gordon D. Nickels Christian commentary on the Quran fills a gap in the Christian book market, allowing non-Arabic speakers to get deep insight into the contents and theology of the Quran. All 114 surahs of the Quran are translated and commented on with a focus on quranic statements about Christianity. This much-desired work is the fruit of a life-long study of Islam and interaction with Muslim friends a must-have for all who aim at obtaining a deeper understanding of Islam and engaging with Muslims.

C HRISTINE S CHIRRMACHER , professor of Islamic studies and Middle Eastern languages, Department of Oriental and Asian Studies, Universitt Bonn

In this commentary on the scripture of Islam, Gordon Nickel has performed a great service for Christians who wish to know about Islam. The Quran presents distinctive accounts of stories familiar from the Bible and directly denies fundamental Christian doctrines. Nickels unfailingly respectful yet unmistakably Christian responses present the similarities and differences between the quranic and biblical traditions with unflinching directness. He has produced a reliable and accessible resource for both students studying the Quran and general readers.

D AVID T HOMAS , FBA, emeritus professor of Christianity and Islam, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom

ZONDERVAN ACADEMIC

The Quran with Christian Commentary

Commentary: Copyright 2020 by Gordon D. Nickel

Quran translation: Copyright 2013 by Equinox Publishing Ltd

ePub Edition March 2020: ISBN 978-0-310-53473-0

Requests for information should be addressed to:

Zondervan, 3900 Sparks Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546

Quran text taken from The Qurn: A New Annotated Translation by A. J. Droge. Used by permission of Equinox Publishing Ltd 2013.

All Bible quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.Zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.