Earth, Empire and Sacred Text: Muslims and Christians as Trustees of Creation(Comparative Islamic Studies)

This book seeks to construct a Muslim-Christian theological discourse on creation and humanity, which could help adherents of both faiths work together to preserve our planet, bring justice to its most needy inhabitants and contribute to peacebuilding in areas of conflict. Drawing from the disciplines of theology, philosophy, ethics, hermeneutics, critical theory and the social sciences, its premise is that theology is always developed in particular situations. A first part explores the global context of postmodernity (the post-Cold War world dominated by a neoliberal capitalist system) and the influential turn away from the modern Cartesian view of the autonomous, disembodied self, to a self defined in discourse, community and culture (postmodernism). A second part traces the "career" of Q. 2:30 (Adam's God-mandated trusteeship), first in Islamic commentaries in the classical period and then in the writings of Muslim scholars in the modern and postmodern periods. The concept of human trusteeship under God is also studied over time in Christian and Jewish writers. The third part, building on the previous data, draws together the essential elements for a Muslim-Christian theology of human trusteeship.

Table of Contents:
Foreword by Bishop Kenneth Cragg Introduction Part 1: Our Postmodern Situation Chapter 1: Postmodernity and the Double Wall Chapter 2: Beyond Modernism: Time, Space and the Self Chapter 3: Beyond Modernism: From Theory to Activism Chapter 4: Qur'an, Bible, Hermeneutics and Theology Chapter 5: Reading Holy Scriptures Part 2: Human Trusteeship: Muslim and Christian Interpretations Chapter 6: The Human Caliphate: Qur'anic Data Chapter 7: Tafsir of Q. 2:30: Classical Period Chapter 8: Tafsir of Q. 2:30: Modern Period Chapter 9: Tafsir of Q. 2:30: Postmodern Period Chapter 10: A Biblical Trusteeship of Humanity Part 3: Toward an applied Muslim-Christian theology of trusteeship Chapter 11: A Common Theology of Trusteeship Chapter 12: Conclusion Appendix A: Sabeel Statement (2004) Appendix B: CPT in the Hebron District Appendix C: Ninian Smart's Typology of Religious Experience Appendix D: Toward an Authentic Muslim-Christian Dialogue

About the Author :
David L. Johnston is a research affiliate in the Religious Studies Department of Yale University. Beside three book chapters in edited books, book reviews and encyclopedia entries, he has written several articles on the intersection of theology and law in contemporary Muslim thought (Islamochristiana, Islamic Law and Society, The Maghreb Review, Die Welt des Islams).

Review :
'...a generous attempt to find a common ground for an active commitment in order to improve the human condition, in its largest meaning, in this world. ...the effort is definitely appreciable.' Islamochristiana 'While not the easiest read, this book is well worth the effort, especially if it provokes readers to ask new questions and entertain fresh answers.' International Bulletin of Missionary Research 'This book is vast in its scope, rigorous in its analysis, and noble in its purpose. ... As a critique and a source material it will be found indispensable to students, lecturers, theologians, and diplomats, among others. As an argument and a roadmap for the emergence of a global consciousness and responsible stewardship of the planet, it can be ignored at our cost.' Riad Nourallah, University of Westminster 'David Johnston recognizes that we have arrived at a dangerous, global tipping point. In the spirit of Christian peacemaking and as Christian theologian who recognizes the significance of context and the value of comparative worldview analysis, Johnston offers a possible rapprochement between Christians, Muslims, Jews, and indeed, the whole human family, based on insightful Christian and Islamic readings of sacred texts conveying God's original creational commission. If there can be a shared understanding of our God-given human vocation, then perhaps barriers can be eliminated and bridges built that solve problems and offer hope at this critical juncture in human history. May this ambitious book receive the wide reading it deserves.' David Naugle, Dallas Baptist University 'David Johnston's Earth, Empire and Sacred Text is a sprawling, vast manifesto - an ambitious and hopeful call for theological rapprochement between Christians and Muslims on the basis of a common commitment to ecological trusteeship over creation. The breadth of Johnston's reading and research on display here is simply staggering. In addition to his deep familiarity with over a millennium of Islamic commentary on the Qur'an, he also brings to this project a range of insights drawn from the disciplines of sociology, economics, politics, and philosophy, as well as from hermeneutics and from both Muslim and Christian theology. This book is not designed to be an easy read, but for those who have the patience to mine its depths, it yields ample rewards - in particular, a detailed history of interpretation related to human creation in the Qur'an, framed by judicious discussions of contemporary global geopolitics and the challenges posed by postmodern reading strategies, all presented with a practiced sensitivity toward the dynamics of Christian-Muslim dialogue and a clarion call for self-awareness and solidarity in the face of environmental abuses and social injustice.' Stephen J. Davis, Yale University 'David Johnston's erudite study of human trusteeship in Muslim and Christian theology, is a brilliant example of profound scholarship that connects with social and political realities. Trusteeship is not just a concept that will enhance Christian- Muslim relations. It offers a sound and solid foundation for the articulation of our common humanity - a common humanity rooted in the interconnectedness of creation. Johnston has brought all these elements together in this magnificent work that should be read by all those who are searching for a vision of hope at a moment when humankind appears to be at the edge of the precipice.' Dr Chandra Muzaffar, Universiti Sains Malaysia 'This book is an extraordinary undertaking and may be considered a three-volume work collapsed into one. Johnston combines intellectual rigor with political activism, while remaining theologically inclusive yet authentic.' American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences