Book Review: Book Reviews

Abstract

Prayer: Christian and Muslim Perspectives. Edited by David Marshall and Lucinda Mosher. A record of tenth Building Bridges Seminar, convened by Archbishop of Canterbury at Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service in Qatar, May 17-19, 2011. Washington, D.C.: Georgetown University Press, 2013. 228 pp. $26.95 (paper).Death, Resurrection, and Human Destiny: Christian and Muslim Perspectives. Edited by David Marshall and Lucinda Mosher. A record of eleventh Building Bridges Seminar, convened by Archbishop of Canterbury at King's College, London and Canterbury Cathedral, April 23-25, 2012. Washington, D.C.: Georgetown University Press, 2014. 312 pp. $26.95 (paper).Sin, Forgiveness, and Reconciliation: Christian and Muslim Perspectives. Edited by Lucinda Mosher and David Marshall. A record of thirteenth Building Bridges Seminar hosted by Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., April 27-30, 2014. Washington, D.C.: Georgetown University Press, 2016.176 pp. $26.95 (paper).These volumes represent latest in a series published by Georgetown University Press documenting Building Bridges Seminars conducted by Anglican Church and its partners. The seminars were initiated in January 2002 by George Carey, Archbishop of Canterbury from 1991 to 2002, and continued under direction of Rowan Williams, who was Archbishop of Canterbury from 2002 until 2012. The topics covered in these seminars range from discussions about sacred texts, prophecy, theological anthropology, secularism, modernity, role of religion in society, justice, human rights, common good, and dialogue between religion and science. They were hosted by Christian and Muslim centers or universities across globe.This review addresses Building Bridges Seminars held in 2011, 2012, and 2014, which were devoted to topics of prayer, eschatology, and sin. The books reflect organization of two-day seminar, with first day consisting of public presentations and second day of in-depth discussions among scholars. Thus part one of text begins with Muslim and Christian theological surveys on topic with responses by alternate scholars. The second day's material consists of scriptural texts and commentaries, along with writings of important figures from each faith tradition. Additionally, some seminars offered essays about faith practices, pastoral ministry, and personal reflections about topics. Each text includes an introduction and conclusion by editors David Marshall and Lucinda Mosher, and most of volumes also include a preface and afterword by Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams. These insightful pieces serve as a guide through texts because they surface critical questions and key points explored by dialogues.Prayer: Christian and Muslim PerspectivesThis volume begins with contributions about theology of and then moves to descriptions of various forms of prayer, relationship between formal ritual and private devotional prayer, and formative dimensions of prayer. Michael Plekon begins by stating that for Christians the point of is love-God's limitless, forgiving, wildly compassionate love, and as our response to God's love and compassion for us prayer always opens us up to God, to ourselves, and to others (p. 5). Prayer is not an escape but an encounter with God that is origin of a life of and service. Accordingly we do not say prayers, but live them. From Muslim perspective, Reza Shah-Kazemi says that is an expression of gratitude, for essence of is remembrance of God's infinite mercy. And as Prophet taught, such purity and devotion in becomes a source of blessing to all.The first day lectures include two provocative pieces: Muslim scholar Caner Dagli reflects on Christian and Christian scholar Daniel Madigan writes about Muslim prayer. Dagli's essay draws some interesting parallels between Christian definition of sacrament and Islamic worship. …