Christian pilgrim in medieval Iraq, A
Book Description
This compelling scholarly work invites readers into the fascinating spiritual journey of Riccoldo da Montecroce, a thirteenth-century Italian Dominican friar whose decade-long sojourn in Baghdad challenged everything he thought he knew about faith and religious difference.
Rita George Tvrtković masterfully reconstructs this medieval encounter between Christianity and Islam through Riccoldo's own writings, revealing a complex spiritual odyssey that defies simple categorization. Rather than presenting a straightforward tale of religious conflict, the author uncovers the friar's surprisingly nuanced responses to Muslim culture, including his deep appreciation for Islamic practices, his genuine fascination with Qur'anic Arabic, and his honest documentation of the wonder and uncertainty that arose from his personal interactions with Muslims.
What emerges is a portrait of authentic spiritual wrestling. Tvrtković demonstrates how Riccoldo's contradictory feelings and observations, far from being flaws in his account, actually illuminate the profound complexity inherent in genuine interfaith encounter. His struggles with doubt, his moments of unexpected admiration, and his candid reflections offer modern readers valuable insights into how spiritual growth often occurs through embracing paradox rather than resolving it.
For contemporary seekers exploring questions of faith, religious diversity, and spiritual authenticity, this medieval pilgrim's journey provides timeless wisdom about the transformative power of stepping beyond familiar spiritual boundaries while maintaining one's own religious identity.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~7 hours)
📄 Length: 248 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Christian interpretations
- ✓ Explore Christian pilgrims and pilgrimages
- ✓ Explore Christianity and other religions
- ✓ Explore Knowledge
- ✓ Explore Travel
- ✓ Explore Knowledge and learning
- ✓ Explore Early works to 1800
- ✓ Explore Islam
