Islam: Past, Present & Future.ISLAM: PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE By Hans Kung (Oneworld Publications, 2007) Islam: Past, Present & Future provides exactly what readers expect from Hans Kung: an impressive synthesis of Western and non-Western scholarship in a dense prose style with a magisterial mag·is·te·ri·al adj. 1. a. Of, relating to, or characteristic of a master or teacher; authoritative: a magisterial account of the history of the English language. b. tone. The completion of his trilogy on the three great monotheistic faiths, Islam is urgent and necessary if one accepts Kung's stated motivation: World peace depends upon interreligious dialogue, which depends on mutual investigation into the foundations of the religions. Kung's keen awareness of the misguided stereotypes Westerners hold toward Islam inform this balanced survey of Islamic history and theology, as he builds a case that the enduring conflict between the West and Islam predicted by Samuel Huntington need not transpire. Although many Muslims see Islam as monolithic Single object. Self contained. One unit. , Kung insists that Islam has undergone unmistakable revolutionary changes. This enables Kung to address the question: How did the world's strongest, richest, and most intellectually progressive civilization wither into the politically weak, impoverished, undereducated Muslim world The term Muslim world (or Islamic world) has several meanings. In a cultural sense it refers to the worldwide community of Muslims, adherents of Islam. This community numbers about 1.5-2 billion people, about one-fourth of the world. of today? Kung rejects the "blame game" arguing instead that clinging to outdated paradigms led to this stagnation Stagnation A period of little or no growth in the economy. Economic growth of less than 2-3% is considered stagnation. Sometimes used to describe low trading volume or inactive trading in securities. Notes: A good example of stagnation was the U.S. economy in the 1970s. . Uncritical revivals of past paradigms hold no hope. A true Islamic renewal must transcend ideological divisions in engaging democracy, human rights, and other contemporary issues. Kung's recommendations are sharp and serious, but bear the detached tone of an outsider, in stark contrast with the bombastic rhetoric he uses on the Catholic hierarchy and American foreign policy. Islam will not supplant sup·plant tr.v. sup·plant·ed, sup·plant·ing, sup·plants 1. To usurp the place of, especially through intrigue or underhanded tactics. 2. popular introductions by writers like Karen Armstrong
Karen Armstrong (b. November 14 1944 in Wildmoor, Worcestershire, England) is an author who writes on Judaism, Christianity, Islam and Buddhism. or John Esposito For the pianist named John Esposito, see . John Louis Esposito (born 19 May1940, Brooklyn, New York City) is a professor of International Affairs and Islamic Studies at Georgetown University. . Kung's tome is simply too much for most non-specialists, but this comprehensive and balanced text will become a staple reference work that specialists will appreciate and practitioners of dialogue will utilize for years to come. --Brother Jason Welle, O.F.M. |
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