Not Without My Neighbour: Issues in Interfaith Relations

"this book offers a clear and challenging introduction to key issues that arise again and again when Christians and churches enter into conversation with their neighbors of other faiths - among them interfaith prayer, interfaith marriage, religion and conflict, and dialogue and mission." Bill Perkins Christians & Pluralistic Age: Although interfaith dialogue has established itself as a key concern for Christian thinkers, and the churches in ecumenical dialogue, it continues to pose social, practical and theological concerns in many believer minds. Meeting people of diverse faiths is an everyday experience, for Christians as a majority in America, or as minority communities in Asia, the Middle east and elsewhere. Issues in interfaith Relations: Weaving together accounts from daily life, ecumenical texts and discussions, and theological reflection, the author introduces and presents some key issues that arise into everyday living, and dialogue with other faiths, challenging the traditional Augustinian predestination, and the concept of the Judaic election that Jesus time after time refuted, praising the faith of the Canaanite woman (Mat 15-28) and the Roman centurion (Mat 8.10). It is in the light of Jesus teaching of the new sonship of all, even the Samaritan woman, that the dialogue continues, for, "This is right and acceptable in the sight of God our savior, who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." (1 Tim, 2: 3,4) Ecumenical Author: Dr. Ariarajah, Professor of Ecumenical Theology at Drew University, was active in the Interfaith Dialogue Program of the WCC. His books include: Issues in Interfaith Relations and Axis of Peace. He recounts his wide range of personal experiences - as a child, student of Hinduism, Protestant pastor in Sri Lanka; and later an active participant in interfaith issues, "I was born in a country where over 90% of the people are either Buddhists, Hindus or Muslims. Of the 7.8% Christians, the Protestant variety of which I am a part, is only 0.4%. ...Christians of Sri Lanka are also taught from their childhood that ours was the only 'true' religion that led all people to their 'salvation.' This meant that other religions were 'false,' 'in error' or at least did not have the capacity to lead people to their desired destiny."