Islam in Context: Past, Present, and Future

by Peter G. Riddell, Peter Cotterell

Overview

In recent months, much attention has been paid to Islam and the greater Muslim world. Some analysis has been openly hostile, while even more has been overly simplistic. Islam in Context goes behind the recent crisis to discuss the history of Islam, describe its basic structure and beliefs, explore the current division between Muslim moderates and extremists, and suggest a way forward.

Authors Peter G. Riddell and Peter Cotterell draw from sources such as the Qur'an, early Christian chronicles of the Crusades, and contemporary Muslim and non-Muslim writings. They move beyond the stereotypes of Muhammad-both idealized and negative-and argue against the myth that relatively recent events in the Middle East are the only cause for the clash between Islam and the West.

Riddell and Cotterell ask the non-Muslim world to attempt to understand Islam from the perspective of Muslims and to acknowledge past mistakes. At the same time, they challenge the Muslim world by suggesting that Islam stands today at a vital crossroads and only Muslims can forge the way forward.

Islam in Context will appeal to all those who are interested in an alternative to the easily packaged descriptions of the relationship between Islam and the West.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780801026270
Publisher:	Baker Publishing Group
Publication date:	07/01/2003
Pages:	232
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.49(d)

About the Author

Peter G. Riddell (PhD, Australian National University) is director of the Centre for Islamic Studies and Muslim-Christian Relations at London Bible College. He is the author or editor of several books, including Islam: Essays on Scripture, Thought, and Society.

Peter Cotterell (PhD, London University) is Associate Senior lecturer at the Center for Islamic Studies. He has lectured for nineteen years at London Bible College, where he also served as the principal.

Table of Contents

	Illustrations	6
	Introduction	7
Part 1	Looking Back
1.	Beginnings	13
2.	Caliphs and Confusion	32
3.	Beliefs and Practices	45
4.	Qur'an and Christianity	58
Part 2	In Between: The Ebb and Flow of Empire
5.	The Age of Muslim Empire	83
6.	Empires Crumble	95
7.	From Medieval to Modern	107
8.	The Missionaries	118
9.	Conflict in the Middle East	130
Part 3	Looking Around
10.	The Muslim Masses and Westophobia	149
11.	The Radical Islamist Worldview	164
12.	The Moderate Worldview	182
13.	Responses to Terrorism	195
	Conclusions	211
	Select Bibliography	217
	Index	225