Sin, Forgiveness, and Reconciliation

This volume offers both scholars and seekers alike a set of invaluable insights into one of the most profound and intriguing paradoxes generated by the human being 'made in the image of God'-the human propensity for sin and the divine capacity to forgive. -- Reza Shah-Kazemi, Managing Editor, Encyclopaedia Islamica, and Research Associate, Institute of Ismaili Studies, London A well-balanced collection of primary source-based reflections on sin, forgiveness, and reconciliation by eight well-informed Muslim and Christian contributors that will be useful for inter-religious discussion groups as well as in classroom settings. Three 'Scripture Dialogue' segments ... will be particularly attractive for more advanced academic purposes... Consideration of these compelling themes in comparative context is, to say the least, much needed and most welcome. -- John Renard, Professor of Theological Studies, Saint Louis University

Sin, Forgiveness, and Reconciliation: Christian and Muslim Perspectives is a collection of essays and scripture-study passages from the 2014 Building Bridges seminar that explores questions Christians and Muslims have often put to each other on the ideas of sin, forgiveness, and reconciliation.Launched in 2002 by the Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Building Bridges Seminar has been under the stewardship of Georgetown University since 2012. The seminar gathers distinguished scholar-practitioners of Islam and Christianity for deep study and discussion of selected texts pertaining to an overarching theme. Sin, Forgiveness, and Reconciliation: Christian and Muslim Perspectives is a collection of essays and scripture passages studied at the 2014 Building Bridges seminar. Thoughtful and provocative, the book begins with the complete texts of the opening lectures by Veli-Matti Karkkainen and Jonathan A. C. Brown and contains essays by Christoph Schwobel, Ayman Shabana, Susan Eastman, Mohammad Hassan Khalil, Philip Sheldrake, and Asma Afsaruddin. Peppered throughout with relevant scripture passages and commentary, the text concludes with an extensive account of the informal conversations at the seminar that conveys the lively and respectful dialogue that is the hallmark of this meeting.