Lexington Books Things that Make for Peace: Traversing Text and Tradition in Christianity and Islam

In a world that increasingly sees religion as a source of violence, this book explores resources from within religious traditions that might help build peace. Drawing from the rich textual histories of Christianity and Islam, the contributors mine their faith traditions for ways of thinking and ways of being that help shift perceptions about religion, and actively contribute to the growth of peace in our troubled times. Not content with retreat into religious exclusivism, these essays are an act of sharing something held dear. In sharing, the thing offered no longer remains the possession of the one who offers, and so these essays are an act of vulnerability and trust-building. In sharing precious things together, in giving and receiving, peace becomes not only a matter of dialogue, but also shared commitments to ways of being. Review This collection of essays judiciously illuminates the things that make for peace in the texts of Islam and Christianity in ways that preserve the integrity of both traditions while highlighting points of theological and practical convergence. Simply stated, this is an excellent provocation and there is much to learn from the humble conviction on display here.--Paul Martens, Baylor University About the Author Anthony Rees is lecturer in Old Testament/Hebrew bible at United Theological College, Charles Sturt University, and a research fellow of the Centre for Public and Contextual Theology.