Naming God: Christian and Muslim Perspectives

The contributors to Naming God explore the many ways Christians and Muslims refer to and describe God, and the significance of naming God differently. This book provides guidance and materials for faith leaders, students, and scholars of theology, dialogue theory, and conflict resolution.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 176 pages
Publication date: 01 November 2023
Publisher: Georgetown University Press

A fresh perspective on how Christians and Muslims talk about GodNaming God involves giving the ineffable a name. And yet, the Bible itself vacillates between denying that God can be named and describing how God nevertheless reveals Godself.

The contributors to Naming God, the product of the 2021 Building Bridges Seminar, an international discussion of Christian and Muslim intellectuals, explore the various ways in which Christians and Muslims refer to and characterize God and the importance of naming God differently. This book offers advice and resources that will be useful to religious leaders, students, and scholars of theology, dialogue theory, and conflict resolution. Nonspecialists will gain an entry point into the topic of naming God, while experts will be pushed to expand and deepen their thinking on this crucial subject.

The contributors to Naming God come from a variety of religious backgrounds and academic disciplines, including theology, philosophy, and anthropology. They offer a range of perspectives on the topic, from traditional Christian and Muslim interpretations to more contemporary approaches.

One of the key themes of the book is the relationship between language and the divine. The contributors argue that naming God is not just a linguistic exercise but a spiritual one that involves a deep understanding of the nature of God and the human experience. They explore the ways in which different languages and cultures have shaped the way in which people talk about God, and how this can impact the way in which people understand and relate to God.

Another theme of the book is the significance of naming God differently. The contributors argue that the different ways in which Christians and Muslims refer to God can create barriers and divisions between people, but can also be a source of unity and understanding. They explore the ways in which different religious traditions have approached the issue of naming God, and how this can impact the way in which people engage with each other and with the divine.

The book also includes a number of case studies and examples that illustrate the ways in which Christians and Muslims talk about God. These examples range from the Bible and the Qur'an to contemporary religious movements and cultural practices. The contributors use these examples to highlight the diversity of ways in which people talk about God and to demonstrate the potential for dialogue and collaboration between different religious traditions.

In conclusion, Naming God is a thought-provoking and insightful book that offers a fresh perspective on how Christians and Muslims talk about God. The contributors provide a range of perspectives on the topic, from traditional to contemporary, and from religious to academic. The book is a valuable resource for faith leaders, students, and scholars of theology, dialogue theory, and conflict resolution, and will be of interest to nonspecialists as well as experts in the field.

Weight: 272g
Dimension: 229 x 152 x 13 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781647123666