About the Book
The emergence of the field of interreligious studies is emerging as a response to critical issues within our religiously plural world. Religious conflicts, large and small, continue to plague our society, as the challenges of navigating religious difference emerge in daily encounters among people who would like to get along in the public square that they fashion together. These challenges unfold within families, congregations, college campuses, workplaces, communities, media, and cyberspace. This volume offers a comprehensive introduction to interreligious studies. Providing an overview of the history, terms, and characteristics of the field, Rachel Mikva explores the ethical, philosophical, and theological foundations for pluralism. She also presents guidelines and case studies that demonstrate how interreligious understanding and solidarity can be achieved. Designed for use in undergraduate and graduate courses, the volume also will be useful to medical doctors, social workers, police officers, corporate managers, and others whose work requires multi-cultural competence.
Table of Contents:
Part I. Mapping the Field: 1. Introducing interreligious studies; 2. Challenges in naming and navigating religious difference; 3. A selective history of interreligious studies and engagement; 4. Ethical, philosophical, and theological grounds of parity pluralism; Part II. Meeting Spaces: 5. Meeting difference everywhere; 6. Media, old and new; 7. Interreligious encounter in the public square; 8. Antisemitism and Islamophobia; Part III. Modes of Engagement: 9. Practices of interreligious engagement; 10. Dialogue; 11. Study and spiritual encounter; 12. Community-based service, organizing, and advocacy; 13. Arts; 14. Conflict transformation.
About the Author :
Rachel S. Mikva is the Herman E. Schaalman Professor of Jewish Studies and Senior Faculty Fellow of the InterReligious Institute at Chicago Theological Seminary. A leader in Interreligious Studies, she co-chairs the American Academy of Religion's Interreligious and Interfaith Studies Program. She is the author of Dangerous Religious Ideas: The Deep Roots of Self-Critical Faith in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam (Beacon, 2020).
Review :
'For over two decades, Rachel Mikva has been an intellectual leader in the field of Interfaith/Interreligious Studies. She distills that knowledge in this text in a clear and compelling manner. This text will inspire a new generation to engage positively and proactively with religious diversity and interfaith bridgebuilding.' Eboo Patel, Founder and President, Interfaith America Author of We Need To Build: Field Notes for Diverse Democracy
'Rachel Mikva has written a superb introduction to interreligious studies. She shows the wide spectrum of theories and practices that have emerged in this field in the last decades and helps the reader to navigate the complex and often sensitive issues related to religious diversity. Her unique intersectional approach will undoubtedly help form the next generation of interreligious educators, activists and scholars.' Marianne Moyaert, KU Leuven
'Comprehensive, well-written, lucid and pedagogic, Rachel Mikva's introduction to Interreligious Studies (IRS) is certain to become a staple in the university classroom, as well as in the community study hall. Complementing academic theory with case studies, many of which are quite recent, Mikva brings to light the challenges, opportunities and strategies for both the practice and the study of interfaith relations. Even if you know the field well, you are sure to learn something from her detail-oriented presentation. Finally, the acronym IRS brings glad tidings.' Rabbi Alon Goshen-Gottstein, Founder and Director of the Elijah Interfaith Institute, Convener and editor of Interreligious Reflections series at Wipf and Stock
'More and more, people are interacting with people different from themselves: racially, culturally, and yes, religiously. We're curious about these differences and not always sure how to understand them, let alone engage them. Rachel Mikva's Interreligious Studies addresses this gap by giving students the skills, tools, and information to begin the journey of exploring religious diversity. It's a powerful book, filled with practical examples and instructive case studies, and one that should be read by anyone curious in thinking deeply about building cohesion across the lines of religious difference.' Simran Jeet Singh, Executive Director for the Aspen Institute's Religion & Society Program, author of The Light We Give (Riverhead Books, 2022)
'Only a scholar with many years of sincere and serious engagement with faith communities and a commitment to an honest and critical examination of the ethics and theology of interreligious studies could have produced this excellent book. I can hardly wait to introduce Rabbi Mikva's Interreligious Studies to my Theology students.' Ingrid Mattson, Chair of Islamic Studies, Huron at Western University, London, Canada Author, The Story of the Qur'an
'The present and future teaching and learning of interreligious studies are adroitly portrayed by the author, who personally and proudly associates with her subject.' Elif Koparal, Bryn Mawr Classical Review
