Introduction

Abstract

One of the pressing issues facing theologians, philosophers, and policy makers today is how they can meet the tremendous challenges posed by diverse religious traditions and worldviews around the world. In fact, there are, perhaps, few other subjects in our contemporary world that deserve as urgent attention as interreligious relations and engagement. Much ink has been spilled on the theme of interreligious engagement. Lesslie Newbigin used the phrase “interfaith dialogue industry” to capture the stupendous amount of literature that has been devoted to the subject. Several scholars and practitioners have formulated different theories and paradigms to address the divergence and commen-surability of religious traditions. The “Faith Meet Faith Series” by Orbis Books has taken the lead in providing robust institutional support for such an agenda. Nonetheless, there is still a need to grapple with the contextual issues that constantly emerge in interreligious relations, especially in Christian-Muslim relations. Contemporary issues in global geopolitical affairs also call for new ideas that can engender interreligious dialogue and relations. In terms of Christian-Muslim relations, Christian van Gorder has noted that “there is no shortage of books seeking to explain Christianity to Muslims and vice versa.”¹