The outstanding book Christianity alongside Islam was launched at my former Melbourne Parish, GWAC. What an evening as over 200 people gathered and celebrated Bishop John Wilson’s fascinating and easy to read book. A book that deepens understanding of both Islam and Christianity, and as a bonus picks up the new atheism of Dawkins and Co. along the way! Great stuff.

Be sure to put this book on your birthday and gift list.

You will also greatly appreciate Bishop John Wilson’s passionate Launch Address in text form here.  My Launch Address is in text form here  (plus accompanying PowerPoint slides). The audio of both is available as one mp3 file here (separate files will be available at a later stage).  Part of John Wilson’s Launch Address:

There are two common attitudes to Islam and Muslims. One is to condemn all things Islamic and to treat Muslims with great suspicion and hostility. The other is characterised by an unwillingness to say anything negative about Islam. The violence of the Islamists is disconnected from Islam itself, in this view, and if there is to be any criticism of the religion, the same is probably to be levelled at Christianity.

 It is time for sweeping assumptions about both religions to be replaced by intelligent discussion. When ignorance abounds, prejudice will reign to harm us all. Australians in general, and Christians in particular, need to be much better informed about Islam and, dare I say it, about Christianity as well.

 There are of course many connections between Islamic teachings and Christianity but the idea that the differences are of little significance is naïve. Here are some questions that Christians should be able to answer. 

• Why is it in the interest of Muslims to question and to undermine the reliability of the Christian scriptures?
• What difference does it make that Islam has a sacred language (Arabic) whereas the Christian Gospel finds natural expression in thousands of languages?
• As you all should know, Jesus, and his virgin mother Mary, is greatly honoured in the Qur’an. Jesus is actually mentioned in 93 of its verses. But how does Islam not only reveal Jesus but also in fact serve to conceal him?
• Jesus’ death and crucifixion is central to Christian teaching. In contrast the Qur’an seems to deny that Jesus was crucified and that instead another, a look-a-like, was killed in his place. Why do Muslims deny the crucifixion of Jesus and what difference does it make to one’s understanding of God?
• What is the biggest difference between the Qur’anic understanding of God and the biblical teaching about God?
• It has become common to talk about the three Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. What is this supposed to mean? And what understanding is put by Muslims on this seemingly innocent phrase which is totally unacceptable to both Jews and Christians?

 You will find each of these discussed in the book.  

I am pictured below with the author,  Bishop John Wilson, at the book launch ‘signing’

See my preview commendation, Christianity alongside Islam.