Opening the Qur'an: Introducing Islam's Holy Book - Hardcover

Wagner, Walter H.

3.71

14 ratings by Goodreads

9780268044152: Opening the Qur'an: Introducing Islam's Holy Book

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0268044155 ISBN 13: 9780268044152

Publisher: University of Notre Dame Press, 2008

View all copies of this ISBN edition:

Opening the Qur'an can be a bewildering experience to non-Muslim, English-speaking readers. This book first places the prophet Muhammad, the Qur'an, and the early Muslim community in their historical, geographical, and theological contexts. It then looks at specific passages, moving from devotional texts to difficult and provocative subjects.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

Review:

"Opening the Qur'anis the fruit of a remarkable effort by a Christian scholar, Walter Wagner, to understand the Qur'an and its place in Islamic society. . . . All of Opening the Qur'an. . . is marked by Wagner's sincere effort to deepen his own theological reflections while reading the Qur'an. In this, his work makes an important contribution to the contemporary Muslim-Christian conversation." --The Catholic Historical Review "For non-Muslim, English-speaking readers of the Qur'an who become overwhelmed and perplexed, Wagner comes to the rescue. . . . [T]his is a well-researched, thoughtful, and fair-minded treatment. Highly recommended for academic collections and general public library readership." --Library Journal "Christian theologian Wagner has done an impressive job of bracketing his own personal views so as to approach the Qur'an on its own terms. The result is a penetrating analysis cast in a highly readable style. In fourteen substantive chapters the book covers the major issues of concern to non-Muslims. . . . This volume might well serve as a text in introductory, college-level courses on the Qur'an; additionally it will be of value to general readers interested in a fresh, nonpartisan approach to Islam's holy book." --Choice ""Opening the Qur'an" is the fruit of a remarkable effort by a Christian scholar, Walter Wagner, to understand the Qur'an and its place in Islamic society. . . . All of "Opening the Qur'an" . . . is marked by Wagner's sincere effort to deepen his own theological reflections while reading the Qur'an. In this, his work makes an important contribution to the contemporary Muslim-Christian conversation." --"The Catholic Historical Review" ""Opening the Qur'an"is the fruit of a remarkable effort by a Christian scholar, Walter Wagner, to understand the Qur'an and its place in Islamic society. . . . All of "Opening the Qur'an." . . is marked by Wagner's sincere effort to deepen his own theological reflections while reading the Qur'an. In this, his work makes an important contribution to the contemporary Muslim-Christian conversation." --"The Catholic Historical Review" "For non-Muslim, English-speaking readers of the Qur'an who become overwhelmed and perplexed, Wagner comes to the rescue. . . . [T]his is a well-researched, thoughtful, and fair-minded treatment. Highly recommended for academic collections and general public library readership." --"Library Journal" "Christian theologian Wagner has done an impressive job of bracketing his own personal views so as to approach the Qur'an on its own terms. The result is a penetrating analysis cast in a highly readable style. In fourteen substantive chapters the book covers the major issues of concern to non-Muslims. . . . This volume might well serve as a text in introductory, college-level courses on the Qur'an; additionally it will be of value to general readers interested in a fresh, nonpartisan approach to Islam's holy book." --"Choice"

Synopsis:

Opening the Qur'an can be a bewildering experience to non-Muslim, English-speaking readers. Those who expect historical narratives, stories, or essays on morals are perplexed once they pass the beautiful first Surah, often shocked and then bogged down by Surah 2, and even offended by Surah 3's strictures against nonbelievers. Walter H. Wagner 'opens' the Qur'an by offering a comprehensive and extraordinarily readable, step-by-step introduction to the text, making it accessible to students, teachers, clergy, and general readers interested in Islam and Islam's holy Book.Wagner first places the prophet Muhammad, the Qur'an, and the early Muslim community in their historical, geographical, and theological contexts. This background is a basis for interpreting the Qur'an and understanding its role in later Muslim developments as well as for relationships between Muslims, Jews, and Christians. He then looks in detail at specific passages, moving from cherished devotional texts to increasingly difficult and provocative subjects. The selected bibliography serves as a resource for further reading and study. Woven into the discussion are references to Islamic beliefs and practices.

Wagner shows great sensitivity toward the risks and opportunities for non-Muslims who attempt to interpret the Qur'an, and sympathy in the long struggle to build bridges of mutual trust and honest appreciation between Muslims and non-Muslims.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.