Islam's Jesus and A Policy of hope

Saritoprak’s book is a welcome addition to the burgeoning Islamic academic literature emerging in the West addressing issues of common concern to Christians and Muslims. Arguably, no issue is of more interest – and obviously, controversy - than the differing stances of Islam and Christianity on the Person and Work of Christ. This work will provide a useful introduction to Muslim Christology for those engaged in academic Islamic Studies. It is clear and lucid, which is especially important for students coming from non-Muslim background, particularly Christians who are always surprised and intrigued by the distinctive features of Islamic Christology. Of particular value in this regard is the section on ‘Jesus’s Personal History and His Message’. Protestants in particular are somewhat taken aback by the emphasis on Mary in the Qur’an, to the point that the nineteenth Surah is named after her, since they differ with Roman Catholic doctrines exalting Mary. Whilst Islam does not rise to this elevation, Saritoprak notes that the Qur’an ‘presents Mary as an example for believers’. (p. 7) Perhaps he should have developed this in relation to the differing Catholic-Protestant views of Mariology, since he also notes that Protestants generally reject icons and statues (p. xii), and it is also clear that this book is meant to be an encounter with Christians.