In the Face of Difference: Congregations Building Understanding and Cooperation - Softcover

Sachs, Rev. William L. Rev.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1566997240 ISBN 13: 9781566997249

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2014

Synopsis

Encounters with difference are the measure of faith, as how a person of one faith approaches persons of other faiths reveals the heart of religious conviction. Christian congregations are often ill-equipped to respond to differing religious perspectives. Most are hesitant, many are prejudiced. In the Face of Difference offers a basis for constructive response, demonstrating how one can honor people of another faith by living fully into one’s own faith.

William Sachs examines how Christians can maximize their spiritual growth through a genuine exchange of ideas and inspiration with those of others faiths, focusing on encounters between Christians and Muslims. By providing a clear and concrete blueprint for congregational leadership in new social circumstance, Sachs charts a course for overcoming major religious prejudice. He demonstrates how bridges can be built by applying the ideals of love of God and love of neighbor, and how faithful people can translate religious ideals into reconciling realities.

About this title

About the Author

William L. Sachs directs the Center for Interfaith Reconciliation in Richmond, Virginia. He received his PhD at the University of Chicago after earning degrees from Baylor, Vanderbilt, and Yale. He has been a visiting faculty member at various institutions, including Yale Divinity School in 2006 and Seabury-Western Theological Seminary, Chicago. He has written four books, including Homosexuality and the Crisis of Anglicanism and Restoring The Ties That Bind.

Review

This exceptional book charters skillfully the road to reconciliation and building confidence and bridges between Christian and Muslim communities in the USA. While exploring ‘culture of wars,'’ Sachs examines how envisioned leadership and culture, compassion, education, and consensus can save our future. The plausible questions that the author poses enables readers to search for the truth at a time when Islam is becoming 'a cottage industry.' As a staunch believer in interfaith dialogue and peace building, and as a professor of Islamic and Middle East Studies, I highly recommend the book. I will use it as reference in my classes because of the book's multi-dimensional perspectives in addressing all these critical issues and teaching the quality of leadership in a world that is on edge. (Ambassador Sallama Shaker, Claremont Graduate University)

Love presupposes difference – – unless we choose to love ourselves alone. America's growing distaste for difference therefore presages a distaste for love. In the face of this distaste, our society sorely needs lessons on how to recover respect and dignity (let alone love!) In the Face of Difference. And this is precisely what William L. Sachs’ timely book provides. Come, read, care. (Peter Ochs, University of Virginia)

Amid unprecedented religious pluralism, especially the growth of Islam in America, most congregations are ill-equipped to respond. In The Face of Difference offers a basis for faithful initiative. By living more fully into one’s own faith, one can honor the faiths of others.

Edition details

• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 1566997240
• ISBN 13: 9781566997249
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 160