A Common Word

On October 13th 2006, one month to the day after Pope Benedict XVI’s Regensburg address of September 13th 2006, 38 Islamic authorities and scholars from around the world claiming to represent the Muslim world, joined together to deliver a document to the Pope "in the spirit of open intellectual exchange and mutual understanding"See english.pdf.

They have then expanded their message, with 138 Muslim scholars, clerics and intellectuals suggesting a common ground between Christianity and Islam. Like the Open Letter, the signatories to this message claim to represent most denomination and school of thought in Islam, addressing its call to all Christians everywhere.

In the document, it is claimed that the most fundamental common ground between Islam and Christianity, and the best basis for future dialogue and understanding, is the love of God and the love of the neighbor. Never before have Muslims delivered this kind of consensus statement on Christianity. Rather than engage in polemic, the signatories have adopted the traditional and mainstream Islamic position of respecting the Christian scripture and calling Christians to be more, not less, faithful to it.

It is hoped that the document would give people a starting point for cooperation and worldwide dialogue, on the most solid theological ground possible, which was said to be the teachings of the Qu’ran and the Prophet Muhammad, and the commandments described by Jesus Christ in the Bible. They claimed that despite their differences, Islam and Christianity not only share the same Divine Origin and the same Abrahamic heritage, but the same two greatest commandments.

The christian community responded quite overwhelmingly with about 300 christian leaders and scholars accepting the invitation, including from the Pope and leaders from Evangelical circles. Eagerness and freshness was felt strongly for greater dialogue and engagement.

However, there are some leaders who are a bit wary of dealing with dialogue on vague terms. John Piper for example in his statement expressed his worry in this dialogue while disregarding the differences between the Christian and Muslim's understanding of God, Jesus Christ and His love. It is also raising the point whereby whether the uniqueness of Christ would be compromised through mutual recognition of each other's faith statements.

In response to John Piper, Rick Love defending his decision to accept the invitation, saying that dialogue is not a substitute for evangelism, true to the Lausanne Covenant, "Our Christian presence in the world is indispensable to evangelism, and so is that kind of dialogue whose purpose is to listen sensitively in order to understand. But evangelism itself is the proclamation of the historical, biblical Christ as Saviour and Lord”.

Rick also responded that by putting love at the centre of true religiosity, it is a good case to talk and affirm Jesus Christ, improve relationships and uphold freedom of religion.

Besides, contrary to popular American and Malaysian belief, Rick "does not hesitate to refer the God of the Bible is Allah, since Arab Christians before and after the birth of Islam use the term Allah to describe the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Rick argued that Christians and Muslims believe in worshipping the one true God, creator of the heavens and the earth, that will judge all people at the end. This Supreme God sends prophets to guide His people to Himself. However, that does not mean that there are fundamental differences in how these two groups understand God, and Rick believes that the Muslim view of God "falls short of His perfections and beauty as described in the Bible".

Thus, quoting St. Paul, “What you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you" (Acts 17:23) and be at peace with all people” (Rom. 12:18), Rick maintained peace becomes the major focus for this dialogue, and on top of that, portraying the beauty of Jesus and letting others learn more of Him through Christians.