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Muslim and Christian:  Comparing the Paths
Dr. Orville Boyd Jenkins
A review of the book edited by David H Greenlee
From the Straight Path to the Narrow Way (Waynesboro, Georgia, USA and Milton Keynes, Bucks, UK:  Anchor, 2001.  333p.)

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I met David Greenlee when we were both living in Cyprus working as ethnic researchers for different international organizations.  David moved to UK shortly after we met in Cyprus, and has continued his research and writing.  We have worked together on research projects via email conferencing, and met again personally on a few occasions.

When I saw his new book at a conference near Johannesburg in early 2008, I was glad to get a copy and read it with interest.  David has researched culture and society and worked in cross-cultural communication among Muslim populations for many years.

Here David presents not only some of his own analyses, but edits a collection of essays on the theme. Several specialists contribute to this dicussion, drawing upon their on-the-ground observations, consultation with may other technical and popular cultural resources and their own analyses.

Greenlee's and his colleagues' views on Islam in relation to Christianity arise here not just out of an abstract academic environment, though you will find the presentations and analyses academically sound.  Readers will get a feel of reality from this book, and become informed about aspects of Islam in today's world that will not always be in focus in popular media snippets.

These esssays competently compare common Christian theological perspectives and popular western cultural perspectives to the variety of Islam found in today's world of change and challenge.

These writers do not always come to the same conclusion as I on some aspects of the topic.  But this read is worthwhile and informative, thoughtful and balanced.  The thoughtful reflections will no doubt be postively received in various quarters.

See related reviews and articles on this site:
[review] Arabs:  Self-Identity and Foreign Views
[review] Complex and Diverse Muslim Realities
[review] Islam, A Realistic and Sympathetic Portrait
[resource] Islam:  Its Life and Values
[review] Practical Peace
[Review] Practical Realities in North African Muslim Societies
[Review] The Real Causes of "Islamic" Religious Violence
[reviews] Reclaiming Islam from the Hijackers: The Real Islam Stands Up
[reviews] A Sufi Muslim Musician Suffers for His Faith

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OBJ

Review written 2 December 2008
Finalized and posted on Thoughts and Resources 4 December 2008
Reviewed on Amazon 2 March 2009
Last edited 7 January 2013

Orville Boyd Jenkins, EdD, PhD
Copyright © 2008 Orville Boyd Jenkins
Permission granted for free download and transmission for personal or educational use.  Please give credit and link back.  Other rights reserved.

Email:  orville@jenkins.nu
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