On Islam

Abstract

Annotation At the beginning of the twentieth century, famed theologian Abraham Kuyper toured the Mediterranean world and encountered Islam for the first time.Part travelogue, part cultural critique, On Islam presents a European imperialist seeing firsthand the damage colonialism had caused and the value of a religion he had never truly understood. Here, Kuyper's doctrine of common grace shines as he displays a nuanced and respectful understanding of the Muslim world. Though an ardent Calvinist, Kuyper still knew that God's grace is expressed to unbelievers. Kuyper saw Islam as a culture and religion with much to offer the West, but also as a threat to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Here he expresses a balanced view of early twentieth-century Islam that demands attention from the majority world today as well. Essays by prominent scholars bookend the volume, showing the relevance of these teachings in our time. Intro; Title Page; Copyright; Contents; General Editorsâ#x80;#x99; Introduction; Editorâ#x80;#x99;s Introduction; Kuyperâ#x80;#x99;s Trip; Religious Themes; Culture and Empires; Technical Notes and Acknowledgements; Introduction: The Western Islamic World at the Dawn of the Twentieth Century; The Descent of Colonialism; Islam and Opposition; Conclusion; Introduction: Abraham Kuyperâ#x80;#x99;s View of Islam: The Dutch Setting; Fear and Respect; Politics and Religion; Conclusion; Chapter 1: The Asian Danger; The Rise of Asia; Concern for the Colonies; Eastern Religion and the Western Presence; Cross and Crescent Meet in Asia. An Ambiguous RelationshipThe Geopolitics of Islam; Our Opposition to Islam; Appreciating Islam and Asia; Islam and the Liberation of Asia; Conclusion: The Risk We Run; Chapter 2: Constantinople; The Beguiling Hinge of the World; Turkish Ethnicity, Muslim Religion; Empire and Mosque; Hagia Sophia; Mausoleums and Dervishes; Women in Islam; The Curse of Polygamy; Chapter 3: Asia Minor; Turks and Greeks; Konya; The History of the Dervishes; The Sufi Spirit; Smyrna and Ephesus; Chapter 4: Syria; Beirut; Syria and Its Religions; Lebanon; Baalbek; Damascus: Heritage; Damascus: Life Today; Hauran. Chapter 5: The Holy LandApproaching Galilee; Why the â#x80;#x9C;Holyâ#x80;#x9D; Land?; The Significance of the Incarnation; Mount Tabor; The Transfiguration; Bethlehem; At the Manger; Conclusion; Jerusalem; Mount Moriah; Gethsemane; Golgotha and the Holy Sepulcher; Chapter 6: The Enigma of Islam; Islam as the Last Word in Monotheism; Law and Spirit in Islam; Why Did Islam Replace Christianity?; Muslim Treatment of Christians; Islamic Learning; Striking the Balance; The Muslim Presence in Asia; Muslim in the Ottoman Empire and Africa; Pan-Islam; Religion and Imperialism; Conclusion; Chapter 7: Egypt and Sudan. EgyptSudan; The Mahdi Phenomenon and Its Effects; The Rise of Muhammad Ahmad, the Mahdi in Sudan; The Carnage of Holy War; Chapter 8: Algeria and Morocco; The Berbers; Berbers in Algeria; The Berber Way of Life; The Berbers in Morocco; Islam and the Mystical Brotherhoods; Fez as the Ideal Moorish-Muslim City; Society and Economy; The Looming Crisis of European Imperialism; The Politics of Islam in Algeria; The Politics of Islam in Morocco; Chapter 9: Spain; The Moorish Era in Spanish History; Toledo and Andalusia; Arab Art and Architecture; Córdoba and Seville; The Alhambra. Chapter 10: ConclusionSemitic, Aryan, and the Mediterranean as the Crossroads of Civilization; Afterword: By What Magic Did Muhammad â#x80;Œ?: The Missiological Implications of Abraham Kuyperâ#x80;#x99;s Observations on Islam; An Uneasy Admiration of Islam; Viewing Islam in Kuyperâ#x80;#x99;s Theological Context; Godâ#x80;#x99;s Covenantal Relationship with Humanity; The Covenant with Noah; The Covenant with Abraham; The Covenant with Moses; The Covenant with David; The New Covenant in Jesus Christ; What Muslims Know: Possible Answers to Kuyperâ#x80;#x99;s Question; Turning from â#x80;#x9C;Religionâ#x80;#x9D; to â#x80;#x9C;Relationshipâ#x80;#x9D;; Conclusion.