Bernhard J. G. Reitsma - Vulnerable Love: Islam, the Church and the Triune God

Bernhard Reitsma masterfully frames questions about the relationship between the church and Islam in a biblical theology of creation, God, and the experience of God. Through his biblical theological model, he is able to address political as well as missiological questions. His treatment of Israel and the land both biblical and political and of contextualization at the nexus of theology and missiology, as well as his treatment of the question of religious persecution and suffering, all benefit from his thoroughly biblical approach in a way that is creative, innovative, and insightful. His decidedly and comprehensively biblical approach gives a powerful thrust to his argument that Christians and Muslims share more commonalities than differences, and that this shared space, if approached by the church with humility, can be the foundation of constructive relations that will allow them to live and partner together in mutual witness for the common good of their shared societies everywhere.

Martin Accad, PhD

Director, Institute of Middle East Studies

Chief Academic Officer, Arab Baptist Theological Seminary, Beirut, Lebanon

Associate Professor of Islamic Studies,

ABTS and Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, California, USA

This volume nurtures tolerance and dialogue between religions in the Middle East. Bernhard Reitsma offers us a contextualized and enlightening reading of burning issues such as election, revelation, and mission as they are understood in ancient and contemporary Christianity and Islam. Based on a solid interpretive work of the Bible, Vulnerable Love offers theological insight in search of a plausible practical coexistence between both religions in the Middle East, in Europe and the entire world. Mercy and forgiveness are two foundational elements in Christs message, and Reitsma proposes them as interpretive keys to understand religion in this postcolonial era and to envisage a world where religions not only practice dialogue with engagement but also work together to build peace among the nations.

Daniel Alberto Ayuch, PhD

Professor of New Testament,

St. John of Damascus Institute of Theology,

University of Balamand, Tripoli, Lebanon

Here is a thoroughly biblical and theological approach to Christian engagement with Muslims and Islam. Having lived and worked in the Netherlands and Lebanon, Reitsma has shared very honestly how, as a Christian theologian, he has wrestled for many years with all the vital questions about Christian approaches to Islam.

Rev Colin Chapman

Former Lecturer in Islamic Studies,

Near East School of Theology, Beirut, Lebanon

Visiting Lecturer, Arab Baptist Theological Seminary, Beirut, Lebanon

Springing from his own experience of living for a number of years in the highly volatile situation of the Middle East, Bernhard Reitsma engages courageously with the always problematic challenge of relating his Christian convictions to the many questions raised by the history and present realities of Islam. Although this is his main purpose, what shines throughout the book is his call to the Christian community to rediscover its true nature and mission in the light of the crucified Messiah, by which it is named. The book covers much ground, using both his own personal knowledge of Islam and a wide variety of sources. I commend it as a book that brings many new, penetrating dimensions into the long, turbulent relationship between the two faiths. There is much to learn here.

Rev J. Andrew Kirk, PhD

Former Director, Centre for Missiology and World Christianity,

University of Birmingham, UK

Bernhard Reitsma reminds us that far more than one billion Muslims cannot be put in one box, but that we need a contextual approach with a lot of willingness to invest time to study their situation and our own history. Between strictly distancing oneself from Muslims on the one side, and white-washing the situation on the other side, he calls for a Christ-like merciful humanity. His approach has been lived out in Muslim countries and practices over decades and combines a lot of biblical insights with practical experience. I hope Reitsma finds many followers!

Bishop Thomas Schirrmacher, PhD

Professor, Sociology of Religion,

University of the West in Timisoara, Romania

Associate Secretary General, Theological Concerns, World Evangelical Alliance

Amid the so-called clash of civilizations that all too often pits Christianity against Islam, Bernhard Reitsma writes as one rooted in historical orthodoxy but open to reimagining contemporary Christian approaches to Muslims. His posture of vulnerable love is not borne out of a politically correct toleration but flows forth from a biblically grounded understanding of the church as part of the wider people of God that points beyond the present status quo to the divine salvation that is coming. Evangelical Christians, not only in North America where such labels are fraught and contentious, but also those around the world who trust the Langham imprint, will benefit from this prophetic call to engage the diversity of Muslims everywhere with the gracious and expansive hospitality of Triune love.

Amos Yong, PhD

Professor of Theology and Mission,

Dean, School of Theology and School of Intercultural Studies,

Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, California, USA

Vulnerable Love

Islam, the Church and the Triune God

Bernhard J. G. Reitsma

2020 Bernhard J. G. Reitsma

Published 2020 by Langham Global Library

An imprint of Langham Publishing

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ISBNs:

978-1-83973-000-9 Print

978-1-83973-001-6 ePub

978-1-83973-002-3 Mobi

978-1-83973-003-0 PDF

Bernhard J. G. Reitsma has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988 to be identified as the Author of this work.

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