An Analysis of the Theologies Employed in the Christian Responses to 'A Common Word Between Us and You'

Juliana Mecera:  A Common Word Between Us and You, written by 138 Muslims scholars and addressed to Christian leaders throughout the world in October 2007, encourages Christian-Muslim dialogue and cooperation based upon the “common” commandments to love God and neighbor.  A Common Word is significant for both its unprecedented unity among Muslim scholars and for its timeliness in encouraging the two largest religions to strengthen dialogue when their relations have been especially strained. Christian leaders and churches around the world have responded positively to this request for cooperation and dialogue, and 65 Christian responses have been posted online at www.acommonword.com.  However, a survey of the major Christian responses reveals that many responses do not emphasize theological formulations. However, from both an Orthodox Christian and Faith & Order perspective, theology is precisely that which must be discussed as it lies at the heart of our beliefs.  Those responses that do highlight theology focus on Christology, Pneumatology, Trinitarian theology, and Ecclesiology (to a lesser extent).  These theologies have been identified by the responders as indispensable for Christianity and thus necessary to share in dialogue. This paper analyzes the purposes that the theological explications serve in the Christian responses.  How does the author attempt to use theology to further Muslim-Christian dialogue with his/her response?  What role does the author indicate that a particular theology could have in the dialogue?  At the very least, the preliminary explanations of Christian theology in the responses to A Common Word further Muslim-Christian dialogue by beginning the process of communication