Bøger af John Renard

This remarkable collection gathers a breathtakingly diverse selection of primary texts from the vast repertoire of Islamic stories about holy men and women--also known as Friends of God--who were exemplary for their piety, intimacy with God, and service to their fellow human beings. Translated from seventeen languages by more than two dozen scholars of Islamic studies, these texts come from the Middle East, North and sub-Saharan Africa, Central and South Asia, and China and Southeast Asia. Historically, they begin with the eighth century and include samples from medieval, early modern, and modern Muslim societies. Expertly edited and introduced by John Renard, Tales of God's Friends serves as a companion volume to Renard's Friends of God: Islamic Images of Piety, Commitment, and Servanthood.

This book looks at Rumi's insights into the meaning of the second half of the basic Muslim creed, namely, the nature and function of revelation through prophets.

Studies the illustrated 16th-century Ottoman manuscripts of a major hagiography of Rumi and his spiritual descendants Picturing the life story of Jalal ad-Din Rumi, an outstanding poet, mystic and founder of the Sufi Mawlawi order (later popularly known as 'The Whirling Dervishes'), the paintings in three extant manuscripts of Aflaki's Wondrous Feats of the Knowers of God provide a unique way to interpret the text. Part One's three chapters, under the heading 'History and Context', provide the medieval Anatolian historical setting; the broad contours of literary and artistic works of Islamic hagiography; and the specific details of the three manuscripts to be explored. Part Two - 'Text and Image' - proposes a method for interpreting a hybrid literary-visual document as a grand narrative of the family Rumi at the inspirational and ethical core of a virtuous community flourishing within a complex Muslim society under divine providence. The paintings in the three manuscripts were produced by studios of painters under the patronage of major late 16th-century Ottoman sultans. The result of their efforts is a kind of 'visualised hagiography' uniquely capable of suggesting distinctive and often surprising twists on the narratives, enhancing the text with images of striking beauty and rich detail. Key Features - Presents a visualised hagiography in three 16th-century Ottoman manuscripts - Includes colour images of all the paintings from the three manuscripts, accompanied by a summary of the text illustrated in each picture - Focuses on the specific relationships between literary narrative and its visual representation in late medieval Islamic art - Provides Anatolian and Ottoman historical background as context for the life story of Rumi and the Mawlawi Sufi order John Renard is Professor of Theological Studies at Saint Louis University. He has written many books including Crossing Confessional Boundaries: Exemplary Lives in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic Traditions (2020), Friends of God: Islamic Images of Piety, Commitment and Servanthood (2008) and All the King's Falcons: Rumi on Prophets and Revelation (1994).

In light of the widespread public perception of incompatibility between Islam and Christianity, this book provides a much-needed straightforward comparison of these two great faith traditions from a broad theological perspective. Award-winning scholar John Renard illuminates the similarities as well as the differences between Islam and Christianity through a clear exploration of four major dimensions-historical, creedal, institutional, and ethical and spiritual. Throughout, the book features comparisons between concrete elements such as creedal statements, prayer texts, and writings from major theologians and mystics. It also includes a glossary of technical theological terms. For western readers in particular, this balanced, authoritative work overturns some common stereotypes about Islam, especially those that have emerged in the decade since September 11, 2001.

Prophets, saints, martyrs, sages, and seers-one of the richest repositories of lore about such exemplary religious figures belongs to the world's approximately 1.3 billion Muslims. Illuminating some of the most delightful tales in world religious literature, this engaging book is the first truly global overview of Islamic hagiography. John Renard tells of the characters beyond the Qur'an and Hadith, whose stories of piety and service to God and humanity have captured hearts and minds for nearly fourteen hundred years. Renard's thematic approach to the major characters, narratives, social and cultural contexts, and theoretical concepts of this remarkable treasury of tales, based on material ranging from the eighth to the twentieth centuries and from countries ranging from Morocco to Malaysia, provides insight into the ways in which these stories have functioned in the lives of Muslims from diverse cultural, social, economic, and political backgrounds. The book also serves as a useful and evocative tool for approaching the vast geographical and chronological sweep of Islamic civilization.

In an age of continued Middle East volatility, religious extremists, and terrorist threats, the mere mention of Islam and Muslims too often provokes misunderstanding and even rancor. Often overlooked are the important links between the Qur'an and the Bible. Also ignored are the significant historical overlap between Islamic interpretation of history with those of Christianity and Judaism, including the monotheistic belief in a single God. Islam is too often confusing and even opaque to those unfamiliar with it.The Handy Islam Answer Book, is clearly and eloquently written by John Renard, Ph.D., a scholar of Islam with more than 40 years of research and teaching experience. He provides detailed descriptions of the history, beliefs, symbols, rituals, observations, customs, leaders, and organization of the worlds second largest religion. Renard explains the significance of the Five Pillars, Muhammad, various sects, the Qur'an, Islamic law, and much more. This engaging primer is a resource for reliable information about Islam and Muslims and it brings an understanding of the shared humanity that joins Muslims and non-Muslims far more deeply than cultural or religious differences separate them. Truly a must-have reference for our changing and trying times, this user-friendly guide answers nearly 800 questions and offers fun facts that cover Islamic history, religious practices, and Muslim cultural perspectives, including When did Islam begin? Why is Mecca a holy city for Muslims? Do Muslims worship Muhammad? What was the fate of Medieval Christian pilgrims to the Holy Land? What do Muslims mean by the term "e;Allah"e;? What does the crescent moon and star symbol mean to Muslims? What is the Muslim call to prayer? Is it similar to church bells? Do Muslims believe that God tests people? Does Muhammad play a role in Islamic spirituality in a manner similar to Jesus role in Christianity? Is jihad a legal concept for Muslims? Is it true that Muhammad both preached and engaged in military campaigns? Do Muslims, Christians, and Jews worship the same God? Why do Jews, Christians, and Muslims all claim parts of Israel/Palestine as Holy Land? Why do some people, such as the Taliban, not want girls to get an education? Does Islam require wearing face veils? Does Islam have theologians like Augustine and Thomas Aquinas and the other great Christian thinkers? Is there any similarity between Muslim and Christian art?Muslims are diverse, and they have a vast spectrum of views about Islam. The Handy Islam Answer Book aims for understanding, which is the first step to uniting, instead of dividing. This helpful books provides a historic timeline, a glossary of commonly used terms, a genealogy from Adam to Muhammad and beyond, a calendar of major observances, and a bibliography help further exploration of one of the worlds great religions.

With more than 3,000 entries and cross-references on the history, main figures, institutions, theory, and literary works associated with Islams mystical tradition, Sufism, this dictionary brings together in one volume, extensive historical information that helps put contemporary events into a historical context. Additional features include: chronology of all major figures and events introductory essay glossary of 400 Arabic, Berber, Chinese, Persian, and Turkish terms comprehensive bibliographyIdeal for libraries, as well as students and scholars of religion.

This second edition of Historical Dictionary of Sufism contains a chronology, an introduction, glossay, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has over 1,000 cross-referenced entries on important personalities, major historical figures and movements, practices, economy, foreign relations, religion, and culture. This book is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about Sufism.

An engaging question-and-answer guide to the world's major religions. Why do conflicts in the name of God persist¿even though religious scholars agree that all great religions are based on love, not carnage? What do different faiths have to say about God? About the afterlife? The spiritual world we live in today is a diverse and sometimes highly individualized mixture of religious practices and beliefs. The physical world is a much smaller place, often secular in appearance but still very much fueled by religious beliefs and conflict in the name of God. The Handy Religion Answer Book is an easy-to-use comparative guide for anyone seeking a greater understanding of the world's religious beliefs, customs, and practices. It provides solid descriptions of major beliefs and rituals worldwide, affording the reader an understanding of contemporary religion. This book contains detailed descriptions of the history, beliefs, symbols, rituals, observations, customs, membership, leaders, and organization of the world¿s eight major religious traditions: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Confucianism, Taoism, and Shinto. Clearly and eloquently written by a scholar with over 40 years of study and teaching experience, The Handy Religion Answer Book is an engaging guide for anyone seeking basic religious literacy and intellectual history. This handy primer contains a wealth of information and answers more than 1,000 questions, such as ... What is the significance of the Star of David? How did so many different Christian churches come into being? What is the importance of the month of Ramadan? What is an ayatollah? Do Taoists believe in heaven and hell? What are the main Islamic notions of the afterlife? Who is the Dalai Lama and why is he important to so many Buddhists? Plus, it includes questions concerning religion and violence and suborganizations that claim affiliation with the major faith communities. A glossary of religious terminology and maps of the general coverage areas for each religion are also included. Enlightening and educational, The Handy Religion Answer Book clears up misinformation and misconceptions, and helps explain cultural and historical differences, providing the reader with a comprehensive understanding of the world¿s great religions.

Reveals the religious world view and spiritual tradition of the world's one billion Muslims. Spanning the breadth of Islamic civilization from Morocco to Indonesia, the book demonstrates how Muslims have used literary and visual arts to communicate religious values.