Jesus of Arabia
Christ through Middle Eastern Eyes
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- USD 39.99
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- USD 39.99
Descripción editorial
In Jesus of Arabia, the Reverend Canon Andrew Thompson introduces an unfamiliar Jesus—Jesus in the context of his home in the Middle East. Whether readers believe Jesus to be a prophet or the messiah, Thompson enhances our understanding of his work and character by looking at his social context as a man and Middle Easterner. Jesus’s teachings take on new meaning as Thompson explores themes including family in Arabia, gender roles in the region, food culture, and more.
Jesus of Arabia looks at the bridges between Islam and Christianity through the figure of Jesus and how the two communities may reflect each other despite their differences. Thompson draws on his experience as a priest in the Anglican Church and his many years living in the Middle East to analyze the often conflicting roles and loyalties concerning family, culture, and God. A timely and incisive work, Jesus of Arabia invites us to consider contemporary views of the Middle East and how a figure like Jesus might be received today.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Thompson, an Anglican priest living in Abu Dhabi, draws on over 20 years working in the Middle East to de-Westernize Gospel stories in this accessible book of clarifications. Intrigued by aspects of Gulf Arab culture that reminded him of the world portrayed in the New Testament, Thompson decided to dig into the ways Gospel stories have been distorted over time and across cultures: "I want to retrieve the Jesus of history who through accident of modern imperialism and colonialism has become infused with a Western identity." Thompson weaves together reflections on such topics as camels, seating dilemmas in the majlis (meeting room), the dangers of ancient pearl diving, and the differences between English and Middle Eastern sheepherding. Acknowledging frankly the speculative quality of this cross-cultural approach, Thompson also provides suggestions for future exploration and encourages efforts towards Muslim-Christian religious dialogue. Thompson's gentle, earnest faith is evident throughout, as are his respect for the Muslim religion and his love for the Gulf region and its peoples. Though this impressionistic, wide-ranging account contains some vague premises and poorly expressed arguments, it offers engaging perspectives on Gospel stories that are rarely considered by Western readers.
