wfn.org | LWI 2008-076 Theologians Explore Further Possibilities for Interfaith Dialogue with Islam

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Theologians Explore Further Possibilities for Interfaith
Dialogue with Islam
Lutherans Contribute to Ecumenical Reflections on
Christian-Muslim Relations Today

GENEVA, 28 October 2008 (LWI) -  A group of 50 theologians from
a broad range of Christian traditions and scholars in
Christian-Muslim relations met in Chavannes-de-Bogis near Geneva,
to deliberate Christian self-understanding in relation to Islam
and Christian-Muslim relations today. The 18-20 October
consultation was a joint initiative of the World Council of
Churches (WCC), the Conference of Secretaries of Christian World
Communions (including the Lutheran World Federation) and the
World Evangelical Alliance.

Trinitarian reflections were prominent throughout the
consultation, with some of them focusing specifically on the
implications of incarnation and the work of the Spirit. Papers on
various Christian approaches to Islam were presented - Orthodox,
Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Reformed, Anglican and Evangelical.
Contextual experiences were shared through two panel discussions
- Christians living in majority Muslim contexts, and
Christian-Muslim relations in plural contexts. This allowed
participants to connect theological reflection and lived
experiences from their diverse contexts.

In his keynote address, Catholicos Aram I, head of the Armenian
Apostolic Church (See of Cilicia), stressed, "I believe that for
both Christians and Muslims, living-in-community must become the
real objective of their dialogue." Against the Middle East
background, he argued, "These two monotheistic faiths are not
monolithic. Therefore, generalizations must be avoided;
contextualization is the right way of assessing and organizing
Christian-Muslim dialogue and relations." 

Moderating the consultation's opening session, LWF General
Secretary Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko said the "conference is part of
the new era of Muslim-Christian relations responding to
initiatives like 'A Common Word'. It is important for us as
secretaries of Christian world communions to work together with
specialists in interreligious dialogue." LWF President Bishop
Mark S. Hanson was among Christian leaders who responded to the
October 2007 letter "A Common Word Between You and Us" written by
138 Muslim scholars to Christian leaders around the world. (See
www.lutheranworld.org/News/LWI/EN/2104.EN.html) 

>Relational Dimensions

In her presentation, Rev. Simone Sinn, theological associate in
the LWF Department for Theology and Studies, highlighted the
relational dimension of Christian faith. Referring to a basic
insight of Martin Luther, she pointed out that justification was
not a substance or quality that Christians own, but a living
relationship between God and the human being. "Christian-Muslim
encounters have a rich potential not only for deepening our
relations to one another, but also in deepening our understanding
of God’s relation to us. Important theological and spiritual
formation takes place in these encounters."

Reflecting on Christian-Muslim dialogue in his context and
beyond, Rev. Dr Oddbjorn Leirvik, who teaches interreligious
studies at the Faculty of Theology, University of Oslo, Norway,
stressed the importance of the "humanization of theological
ethics." He cited Swiss Muslim academic Tariq Ramadan's call for
a moratorium on the death penalty and corporal punishments as an
example from a prominent European Muslim leader. He cited
initiatives of the Contact Group between the Church of Norway and
the Islamic Council in Norway, as a forum through which concern
for the 'vulnerable other' had gradually become a shared
religious commitment. The group's joint engagement includes the
formulation of a joint declaration on an individual's inviolable
right to adopt a religion of one's choice; addressing family
violence and gender relations; and starting a dialogue about the
highly controversial question of homosexuality. 

Participants said they recognized dialogue as an aspect of
spirituality, and acknowledged the virtue of patient listening in
Christian-Muslim dialogue. They stressed the need for sensitivity
when referring to key religious terms such as mission, witness
and conversion. Identified as equally important was the diversity
and wealth of attitudes among Christians and the need to pay
attention to questions raised by people from different places,
circumstances and generations, especially the youth.
Christian-Muslim collaboration was recommended on issues such as
social and economic justice, climate change, peace and healing of
memories.

"This consultation demonstrated some of the distinctive
possibilities of approaching interfaith questions with the
resources of broad ecumenical collaboration," said Dr Kathryn
Johnson, LWF Assistant General Secretary for Ecumenical Affairs.
"The range of Christian positions at the conference was very
large-but at every point where there might have been an
‘either/or’ division into camps of opinion, the
participants instead sought ways to balance complex realities,"
she said.

Johnson said the intense informal conversations between
distinguished scholars of Islam and eminent church leaders at
meal times expressed the need for more opportunities where both
groups could share their experiences. "I hope that the WCC and
the Christian world communions, including Evangelicals and
Pentecostals, will find ways to continue this sort of
collaboration," she concluded. (762 words)

>*        *          *

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