Musings: Notes From My Daybook

A striking and potentially watershed moment occurred earlier this year with the publication of a document A Common Word Between Us and You published by 138 Islamic leaders to Christian leaders.  Rooted in exegetical work in both the Bible and Qur'an, the authors state that the common link between Christianity and Islam is the double command to love God and to love neighbor.  The Islamic leaders understand that there is much between us.  Indeed, they state: "Whilst Islam and Christianity are obviously different religions--and whilst there is no minimising some of their formal differences--it is clear that the Two Greatest Commandments are an area of common ground and a link between the Qur'an, the Torah and the New Testament."

It is a place to begin and for Christians it is a place that stands at the center of our faith.  Can Christian people come to this place and stand?  One clear signal can be found in a Christian response penned by several people at Yale.  Called Loving God and Neighbor Together this response acknowledges the commonality between Christian and Muslim in the demand to love God and neighbor.  It is signed by perhaps 130 plus Christian scholars, pastors, and leaders.

By acknowledging this common word Muslims and Christians can find a place to stand together.  I do not think standing in the same place will make difficult issues or matters of theology and ideology go away.  And how Christians understand love may well differ from our Islamic friends.  For example, Christian love finds its greatest disclosure in and through Jesus' sacrificial death.  Jesus actions and Christian understanding of those actions are certainly different than how Islam has understood them.  However, there is great hope that interfaith dialogue can give rise to a new hearing and to a new way of acting toward one another.

That is great news indeed!