Cross and Crescent: Responding to the Challenges of Islam

Are Muslims our neighbors? For increasing numbers of Western Christians, the answer to that question is yes.The crescent, an emblem of the Islamic faith recognized throughout the world, is gaining prominence in the West. As a result, we face an ongoing collision of Western and Islamic worldviews.We have all witnessed the violence and suspicion that can characterize these collisions. But what is the way of the cross? How can we Christians greet our neighbors with the love and thoughtful engagement that reflects the character of Christ and the truth of the gospel?Out of years of experience in working with students in Egypt, Lebanon and Cyprus, Colin Chapman presents a valuable overview of everyday Islamic faith and practice. He carefully outlines the cultural and doctrinal meeting points and points of departure between Islam and Christianity. And he lays the groundwork for us to love Muslims as we love ourselves.

Colin Chapman is lecturer in Islamic studies at the Near East School of Theology in Beirut. A former principal of Crowther Hall, Birmingham (the Church Mission Society training college), he also worked for thirteen years previously in Egypt and Lebanon with CMS. He is also the author of Whose Promised Land?.