Finding a middle way: Between Hostility and Naivety
(Authentic 2011)

On the 10-year anniversary of 9/11, CMS members and former mission partners are among the contributors to a significant new book on Christian responses to Islam

On the 10-year anniversary of 9/11, CMS members and former mission partners are among the contributors to a significant new book on Christian responses to Islam.

Between Naivety and Hostility: Uncovering the Best Christian Responses to Islam in Britain is edited by Steve Bell of Interserve and Colin Chapman, a CMS member with a wealth of experience working in Muslim countries and building relationships between Christians and Muslims.

In Colin's words, they are seeking to explore a "middle way between hostility and naivety by addressing some of the reasons why many Christians feel fearful of Islam and hostile towards Muslims."

Chapters include 'Thinking Biblically about Islam', 'Issues Related to Women' and 'Islamic Courts in the English Legal System' as well as sharing practical learning from experience in multi-faith Britain.

Paul Thaxter, transcultural mission director of CMS, says the book will be a valuable resource for individuals and churches in today's multi-faith Britain.

"I know many of the contributors personally and have a great respect for their Christian commitment and genuine love for people who are Muslims," he says.

"The book encourages Christians to regard Muslims first and foremost as people worth getting to know as neighbours, going beyond mediated – often poor – representations of Islam and Muslims.

"It helps us to think meaningfully about the presence of Muslim communities in British society, and wider issues related to conversion, women and education. It also offers a perspective in responding to Islamic radicalism in Britain today.

"It also has some good practical approaches and examples for Christians who want to build healthy community relationships."

CMS has been engaged with work with Muslims throughout the Society's history and remains committed today to positive relationship building. Some of CMS's more recent contributions to the field are represented by many of the contributors to the book.

As well as editor Colin Chapman, a former mission partner and former principal of Crowther Hall in Birmingham, the book includes chapters from Toby Howarth, the Secretary of Inter Religious Affairs of the Church of England, and a former lecturer and vice principal of Crowther Hall; Richard Sudworth, a former CMS mission partner in Muslim-majority contexts both overseas and in Birmingham; Philip Lewis, a former CMS mission partner in Pakistan; and Ida Glaser, a former CMS missiologist in residence.

Between Naivety and Hostility: Uncovering the Best Christian Responses to Islam in Britain is published by Authentic and is available from Kitab Interserve Resources.

The Prayer of St Francis
St Francis lived at the time of the Crusades but he strongly believed in peace with Muslims. This Sunday the prayer of St Francis may be apt for you and your Christian community:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow your love.
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is discord, vision.
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light.
Where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.