Islam, Christianity and Modernity

Issue 13 Editor: Dr Jonathan Ingleby

This edition of Encounters takes a different shape in that the main content reflects the diverse contributions of six respondents who were asked to answer a number of questions on the theme of Christian-Islamic relations in the light of modernity.

My introduction explains how this works and also provides a summary. Two of our book reviews also express our Islamic emphasis and there is one piece of descriptive writing about living and working in Amman which further contributes to our theme. The article about France might seem a left over from the previous edition, but in fact the whole question of France's 'revolutionary ethic' and, in particular, the separation of state and religion in that country, is also very relevant to the whole discussion. This also begins a regular feature where each issue we will have a country paper highlighting the context for mission in a particular country.

Reflecting on mission today brings up the theme of Islam and its place in world history to an almost uncomfortable degree. But, of course, the discomfort is just another reminder that we have to do some serious thinking. I am grateful to all the people who have contributed to this issue and encouraged us to do just that.

Jesus said to the people of his generation that they were good at the weather forecast but weak on political analysis. Is that a message for us today, too?

Editorial: An Introduction and Summary by the Editor.
(Dr Jonathan Ingleby, 1651 words)
Response 1: Rev Colin Chapman.
(Former Head of Crowther Hall and Author of 'Whose Promised Land')
Response 2: Dr Theodore Gabriel.
(Honorary Research Fellow and formerly Senior Lecturer in Theology and Religious Studies, University of Gloucestershire)
Response 3: Gregory Johansson.
(Gregory has worked for almost fifteen years in Amman, Jordon)
Response 4: Dr David Singh.
(Research Advisor at the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies (OCMS))
Response 5: Dr Kang-San Tan.
(Head of Mission Studies, Redcliffe College)
Response 6: Carol Walker.
(Learning Manager, Church Mission Society (CMS))
Article 1: It's all happening in Amman: The impact of modernity on a Muslim community. (Gregory Johansson, 953 words)
Article 2: The revolutionary ethic and the evangelical church in France. (Steve Cox, 2274 words)
Book Review 1: Islam the Challenge to the Church. (By Patrick Sookhdeo; Isaac Publishing)
Book Review 2: Kissing Cousins? and Touching the Soul of Islam. (Two books by Bill Musk; Lion Hudson)
Book Review 3: The Changing Face of World Missions: Engaging Contemporary Issues and Trends. (By Michael Pocock, Gailyn Van Rheenen and Douglas McConnell; Baker)

Some you have asked for a single document version to use when you are offline, or to make printing easier. We now have pleasure in providing a PDF version of the whole Issue...