Interfaith Dialogue

"This book extends the usual western oriented discussion of religions to encompass a broad canvas of issues, concerns, and perspectives. It provides a real snapshot of the complexities, promises, and new avenues opened up by interfaith dialogue in very different contexts and perspectives. It will be helpful to both the novice and the expert , which is quite a rare achievement. I commend it." (Gavin D'Costa, Professor of Catholic Theology, University of Bristol, UK) "Fifty years after Vatican II, the doors opened to dialogue with other religions by the council documents remain at the vanguard of how Christians ought to approach and interact with others in a religiously diverse world. Our Roman Catholic and other friends in this book show how interfaith dialogue is now a global phenomenon to be engaged in multiple directions and at various levels. In a world of wall-building and militarization, we need to lift high these models of Christian commitment that witness relationally in a pluralistic world." (Amos Yong, Professor of Theology & Mission, Fuller Theological Seminary, USA ) "Unique in its scope and depth, Interfaith Dialogue engages a broad spectrum of international scholars and religions as no other book has. Only someone with Edmund Chia's vast experience and knowledge in this field could have produced such a volume. It is both an excellent and comprehensive textbook as well as a resource for advanced scholars." (Michel Andraos, Professor, Department of Intercultural Studies and Ministry, Catholic Theological Union, USA)

This book addresses issues central to today’s Catholic Church, focusing on the relationship between various religions in different contexts and regions across the world. Among other goals, the book seeks to offer glimpses into interfaith dialogues across the world and examine what Christians can learn from other religions and global contexts. This book addresses issues central to today’s Catholic Church, focusing on the relationship between various religions in different contexts and regions across the world. The diverse array of contributors present  an inclusively interfaith enterprise, investigating a wide range of encounters and perspectives. The essays include approaches from the Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, and Bahá’í traditions, in a variety of geographic contexts. Contributors reflect on Muslims in the West, Christian-Buddhist social activism, and on Chinese, Indian, and Japanese religions. The volume also explores the experiences of communities that are often marginalized and overlooked such as the Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders of Australia and the Karen tribal peoples of Thailand. Contributors examine the works of the Focolare, Gülen, and Risshō Kōsei-kai movements, and integrate the vision of Raimon Panikkar and Ken Wilber. Chapters incorporate discussions of dialogue documents such as Nostra Aetate and Dabru Emet, and methodologies such as Receptive Ecumenism, Comparative Theology, and Scriptural Reasoning. Among other goals, the book seeks to offer glimpses into interfaith dialogues across the world and examine what Christians can learn from other religions and global contexts.