Islamic Theological Themes: A Primary Source Reader

by John Renard (Editor)

Overview

Comprised of primary sources assembled from a broad chronological and geographic spectrum, Islamic Theological Themes is a comprehensive anthology of primary Islamic sacred texts in translation.  The volume includes rare and never before translated selections, all freshly situated and introduced with a view to opening doors into the larger world of Islamic life, belief, and culture.  From pre-theological material on the scriptural end of the spectrum, to the more practical material at the other, John Renard broadens our concepts of what counts as “Islamic theology,” situating Islamic theological literature within the context of the emerging sub-discipline of Relational/Comparative Theology. Divided into five parts, students and scholars will find this collection to be an indispensible tool.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780520281899
Publisher:	University of California Press
Publication date:	05/31/2014
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	480
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

John Renard  is Professor of Theological Studies at Saint Louis University. His many books include Seven Doors to Islam: Spirituality and the Religious Life of Muslims, Windows on the House of Islam, Friends of God: Islamic Images of Piety, Commitment, and Servanthood, and Tales of God’s Friends: Islamic Hagiography in Translation, all from UC Press.

Table of Contents

Preface
Acknowledgments

Part One
The Science of Interpretation: Reading the Sacred Sources
1 Qur'an and Hadith
2 Interpreting the Sacred Sources

Part Two
The Science of Community: Mapping the Boundaries of True Belief
3 Muslim Awareness of Other Religious Communities
4 Creed and Polemic 

Part Three
The Science of Divine Unity: Schools and Themes in Systematic Theology
5 Theological Schools and Principles
6 Major Themes in Systematic Theology

Part Four
The Science of Hearts: Spirituality and Literature
7 Knowledge and the Spiritual Quest
8 Poetic, Pastoral, and Narrative Theology 

Part Five
The Science of Character and Comportment: Ethics and Governance
9 Ethics in Theory
10 Ethics in Practice

Notes
Appendix: Synoptic/Comparative Table of Texts
Acknowledgments of Permissions
Index of Names of Persons
General Index
Index of Qur'anic Citations

Editorial Reviews

"[A] unique contribution that will entire a new generation of students to take an interest in advanced studies in Islamic theology in its many manifestations."

Journal of the American Oriental Society

"Unprecedented... The first reader to focus on the theological tradition in particular. It will thus be of considerable use for courses on Islam or on comparative religion."

Theological Studies

"Islamic Theological Themes: A Primary Source Reader, is an intellectual venture to peep into the debated discourses evolved in the underbelly of 1400 years Muslim intellectual legacy."

Brill

"Islamic Theological Themes: A Primary Source Reader, is an intellectual venture to peep into the debated discourses evolved in the underbelly of 1400 years Muslim intellectual legacy."

Brill