Jesus in the Koran
New Islam books by theologian Mouhanad Khorchide for a general public
The Islamic theologian Prof. Dr Mouhanad Khorchide of the University of Münster’s Cluster of Excellence “Religion and Politics” has published two new Islam books for the general public. In the book “Der andere Prophet. Jesus im Koran” (The Other Prophet. Jesus in the Koran), the Islamic theologian and his co-author, Catholic theologian Klaus von Stosch from Paderborn University, compare the Islamic and the Christian Jesus. TV journalist Willi Weitzel – who is known from the ARD’s children’s television programme “Willi wills wissen” (Willi wants to know) – interviewed Mouhanad Khorchide for the intelligibly written explanatory book “Der Islam. Fragen und Antworten für alle, die’s wissen wollen” (Islam. Questions and Answers for Everyone who Wants to Know).
According to the publishing house, the book “Jesus im Koran” by Mouhanad Khorchide and Klaus von Stosch is the first attempt to make the Koranic Jesus accessible from both the Islamic and Christian sides. Firstly, the authors trace the dispute about Jesus in the Koran historically and discuss how its precise reappraisal can contribute to a productive cooperation of Christians and Muslims today. Secondly, they show the hermeneutic significance of the examination of Christology for an understanding of the Koran. Thirdly, the theologians identify perspectives of how Christians can deepen and purify their faith in Jesus as the Christ through an examination of the Koran.
“Jesus is considered one of the most important prophets in Islam and is described in the Koran as a sign of God,” Khorchide explains. “But in Islam, he has a different status than in Christianity.” Still, a joint view of Jesus from the Islamic and Christian sides broadens the understanding of Jesus and his overall message.
Explaining Islam to children
For the explanatory book “Islam”, TV journalist Willi Weitzel and Islamic theologian Mouhanad Khorchide talked about Islam for two days. The questions that the journalist asked the Islamic theologian also touched his personal faith: how he prays with his son, whether it is difficult for him to get up at four in the morning for prayer, whether he really abstains from alcohol, how he as a busy scientist can fast in Ramadan – and whether he really believes that God is kind to all people. The result is a book that opens up new perspectives for religion experts as well as novices. (Herder/chrismon/sca/vvm)