How Not to Kill a Muslim: A Manifesto of Hope for Christianity and Islam in North America

The adherents of Islam and Christianity comprise half of the worlds population or 3.5 billion people. Tension between them exists throughout the world and is increasing here in North America. In How Not to Kill a Muslim Dr. Joshua Graves provides a practical subversive theological framework for a strategic posture of peaceful engagement between Christians and Muslims. Based upon both academic and personal experience (Josh grew up in Metro Detroit) this book will provide progressive Christians with a clear understanding of Jesus radical message of inclusivity and love. There is no one who is not a neighbor. There is no them. Theres only us. Our future depends upon this becoming true in our cities synagogues churches and mosques. In pluralistic societies such as those of Canada and the United States the true test of Christianity is what it offers those who are not Christian. And it starts with Islam. For the cover: In pointing us back to Genesis and the imagination of Jesus--especially as evidenced in the parable of the Good Samaritan--Josh Graves provides us with some of the basic fodder necessary for Christians to make much needed advances in our relations with American Muslims. May God grant that we all foster the sort of imagination to which Josh calls us. --Lee C. Camp Professor of Theology Lipscomb University Nashville TN Our relationship with our Muslim neighbors locally and globally is the most pressing challenge facing the Christian church today. But the obstacles are enormous. How can we come live out the gospel story given the pervasive climate of fear ignorance and suspicion? Sharing the hard-won insights from his interfaith work with Muslim neighbors and leaders in Nashville Josh Graves calls upon the followers of Jesus to become agents of grace peace love and reconciliation. A passionate powerful and urgent call to action. --Richard Beck author of Unclean Josh Graves has developed an amazing project that invites American Muslims and Christians to dialogue about their common humanity as children of the same God. He argues clearly that the relationship of American Muslims and Christians is arguably the most pressing issue of our time. If Christians are not convinced well they should be as the authors proof texts are those great conflict stories of the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures like Cain and Abel Jacob and Esau Israel and Ishmael Joseph and his elder brothers the Merciful Samaritan culminating in the Jesus story. I hope every Christian congregation extends an invitation to this important dialogue. --Charlie Strobel founder Room in the Inn Nashville TN For the front matter: God created this diversity among human beings in race color and ethnicity to test us in doing good deeds. Islam teaches us that there is no compulsion in faith; all humans are free to practice their religion. These golden principles are the guidelines for Muslims in dealing with non-Muslims to live in peace with their non-Muslim neighbors. We live as part of a worldwide human community that is at war with itself. Unfortunately these conflicts are both justified and emotionally intensified by religions. After all the Quran preaches that all men are created equal. For this reason I wholeheartedly endorse Joshs How Not to Kill a Muslim project! --Amir Arain Vanderbilt University/Islamic Center of Nashville Nashville TN Josh Graves undertakes a critical issue of our times and does so with empathy sensitivity and accuracy. How Not to Kill a Muslim is more than a mere corrective in the challenges of interfaith understanding. It combines personal account with research data history and theology to a readable narrative that will be of benefit not only to Christians and Muslims but also to all who are interested in the mission of humanity. --Saeed A. Kahn Professor of Religious Studies Wayne State University Detroit MI In my role as chaplain on a college campus I ofte