Der Islam auf dem Konzil von Basel (1431-1449)

Book Description

This scholarly exploration reveals a fascinating yet overlooked chapter in the history of Christian-Islamic relations during one of Christianity's most pivotal gatherings. Between 1431 and 1449, the Council of Basel brought together the era's most influential church scholars with ambitious goals: reforming the Western Church, establishing peace, and healing the schism with Eastern Christianity.

Jacob Langeloh's groundbreaking research demonstrates that these religious leaders did not ignore the pressing challenge of Islam, which had been steadily approaching Europe's doorstep. Rather than neglecting this growing influence, the council fathers actively engaged with Islamic thought and culture in ways that would shape Christian understanding for generations to come.

The study illuminates how church leaders systematically gathered information about Islam, bringing diverse sources to Basel and disseminating this knowledge throughout their networks. Islamic concepts even influenced internal Christian theological debates, particularly in discussions about church structure and Marian doctrine. The Ottoman Empire's political and military presence added urgency to these religious considerations.

Through careful analysis of previously unpublished documents, including conversion letters addressed to Muslims and detailed reports from diplomatic missions to Constantinople, Langeloh reveals how this medieval council laid crucial groundwork for later Christian engagement with Islam. The book offers fresh insights into how interfaith dialogue and religious understanding developed during a transformative period in both Christian and Islamic history.