Christliche Bilderverehrung Im Kontext islamischer Bilderlosigkeit

Book Description

This scholarly exploration delves into a fascinating chapter of religious dialogue between Christianity and Islam during the early Abbasid period. At its center stands Theodor Abū Qurrah, a Melkite theologian and bishop of Harrān in Mesopotamia, recognized as the earliest Christian-Arabic theologian whose work bridges two great religious traditions.

Vasile Mihoc examines Theodor's unique treatise on the veneration of images, the only work of its kind written in Arabic during an era of intense interreligious debate about the legitimacy of Christian imagery. This remarkable document reveals how Syrian Christians increasingly rejected religious images under the influence of Islamic campaigns against Byzantine visual worship practices.

The book offers readers insight into how theological knowledge traveled from Greek patristic thought into Arabic theological discourse. Mihoc traces the development of Islamic political-religious representation and the emergence of image rejection within the Caliphate, providing essential context for understanding these complex cultural exchanges.

Through detailed historical and theological commentary, the author illuminates the distinctive forms of argumentation that emerged in Christian-Arabic discourse. He compares this unique Christian image theology with existing traditions, particularly the influential work of John of Damascus, revealing how religious thought adapts and transforms when cultures meet.

For those interested in interfaith dialogue and the evolution of spiritual practices across cultural boundaries, this work provides valuable perspectives on how religious communities navigate theological differences while maintaining their core beliefs.