Umayyad Christianity
Book Description
In the crucible of the early Islamic world, Christian communities faced profound questions about their identity and place within a rapidly changing religious landscape. This scholarly exploration delves into the transformative period of the Umayyad Caliphate, examining how Syrian and Palestinian Christians navigated their faith while living under Islamic rule.
Through the lens of John of Damascus, a pivotal figure who wrote extensively about Islam from within this multicultural context, author Najīb ʻAwaḍ illuminates the complex process of identity formation that shaped Christian communities during this era. Rather than viewing these developments through a traditional Byzantine theological framework, this study places John of Damascus squarely within his Islamic-Arabic historical setting, offering fresh insights into how interfaith encounters influenced Christian thought and practice.
The work challenges readers to reconsider familiar narratives about early Christian-Muslim relations by examining how real communities adapted, responded, and evolved when different religious traditions intersected. By focusing on the lived experience of Christians within the Umayyad world, this comprehensive analysis reveals the nuanced ways that religious identity develops through dialogue, tension, and coexistence.
For those interested in understanding how spiritual communities maintain their distinctiveness while engaging meaningfully with other faith traditions, this study offers valuable perspectives on the ongoing human quest for authentic religious identity in pluralistic societies.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Long (> 400 pages) (~13 hours)
📄 Length: 472 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Strengthen your faith journey
- ✓ Explore Christians
- ✓ Explore Christianity and other religions
- ✓ Explore Identification (Religion)
- ✓ Explore Relations
- ✓ Explore Christianity
- ✓ Explore Islam
- ✓ Explore Christianity and culture
