Jesus of Arabia: Christ through Middle Eastern Eyes - Hardcover

Andrew Thompson

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1538109441 ISBN 13: 9781538109441

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2018

Synopsis

In Jesus of Arabia, the Reverend Canon Andrew Thompson introduces an unfamiliar Jesus-Jesus in the context of his home in the Middle East. Whether readers believe Jesus to be a prophet or the messiah, Thompson enhances our understanding of his work and character by looking at his social context as a man and Middle Easterner. Jesus's teachings take on new meaning as Thompson explores themes including family in Arabia, gender roles in the region, food culture, and more. Jesus of Arabia looks at the bridges between Islam and Christianity through the figure of Jesus and how the two communities may reflect each other despite their differences. Thompson draws on his experience as a priest in the Anglican Church and his many years living in the Middle East to analyze the often conflicting roles and loyalties concerning family, culture, and God. A timely and incisive work, Jesus of Arabia invites us to consider contemporary views of the Middle East and how a figure like Jesus might be received today.

About this title

Review:

Andrew Thompson brings a wealth of experience and insight to this contemporary and engaging contribution to the dialogue between Christianity and Islam. He writes with integrity as someone with a commitment to all the peoples of Arabia: honest about the challenges, but hopeful about the bridges that can be built and the discovery of common ground that can lead to mutual flourishing. Thompson provides lively and incisive analysis as a critical friend and commentator respected by Christians and Muslims alike.--Mark Poulson, Secretary for Inter Religious Affairs to the Archbishop of Canterbury, National Inter Religious Affairs Adviser for the Church of England

In his book Andrew Thompson helps Muslims and Christians understand the Middle Eastern heritage of Jesus. It's a must-read for anyone seeking to grasp the words of Jesus as they applied to his day, and now apply to ours.--Pastor Jim Burgess, Lead Pastor, Fellowship of the Emirates

Jesus of Arabia is one of those rare books that has both a theological depth and an inviting accessibility. Thompson has written a gem about the Jesus most of us in the West never meet--the real one. A brown-skinned, short, Middle Eastern man. I highly recommend both this book and its author.--Carl Medearis, author of Muslims, Christians, and Jesus: Gaining Understanding and Building Relationships

The Reverend Canon Andrew Thompson, from his varied and always reflective experience in the lands of the Gulf and the Arabian peninsula, makes a thought-provoking contribution to Christian-Muslim friendship and understanding.--The Right Reverend Michael Lewis, Anglican Bishop of the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf

Thompson's treatise is so ingratiating that anyone seeking to understand Jesus better may cherish it.--Booklist

Offers engaging perspectives on Gospel stories that are rarely considered by Western readers.--Publishers Weekly

. . . .I would like to propose that Thomson's work is a stimulating reflection available to those readers who are interested in interfaith dialogues between the monotheistic religions. Moreover, the book is highly recommended to all who are interested in religious topics.--Andrews University Seminary Studies

About the Author:

The Reverend Canon Andrew Thompson MBE is senior chaplain of St. Andrew's Anglican Church in Abu Dhabi. He has served the church in the United Kingdom and throughout the Middle East and the Gulf. Previously a youth worker, he was featured recently in the documentary One on Christian-Muslim dialogue shown at the Abu Dhabi Film Festival. He was awarded an MBE by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for services to human rights and interfaith dialogue. He is a Canon of Bahrain Cathedral in the Anglican Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf.

About this edition

• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
• Publication date: 2018
• ISBN 10: 1538109441
• ISBN 13: 9781538109441
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 240