Ecumenical & Interfaith
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Specific Interfaith Resources

General Resources: General References | Religious Diversity News | New Books |
| Presbyterian Resources | Presbyterian-related Organization Resources | Other Resources

Relation-specifc Resources: Christian-Jewish relations | Christian-Muslim relations |
| Latter-day Saints relations | Buddhist-Christian relations | Hindu-Christian relations | Other relations |

New resource on Muslims and Jews

Muslims and Jews in America: Commonalities, Contentions, and Complexities edited by Reza Aslan and Aaron J. Hahn Tapper explores the relations between the two religions and the ways both, as minorities in the U.S. populace, have absorbed and been altered by their experiences in America. The two have dealt with significant tensions and missteps as well as real achievements. ISBN # 978-0230108615.

Christian-Jewish relations

New Jewish resources for Christians readers

Christians & Jews – Faith to Faith by James Rudin tells the story of the interfaith relations between the two religions over the past two millenia. A discussion guide offers possibility for use with participants from a Jewish synagogue and a Christian congregation. ISBN #978-1580234320.

For the Sake of Heaven and Earth: The New Encounter Between Judaism and Christianity by Irving Greenberg, with a study guide and responsive essays by leading Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish commentators, including James Carroll, Krister Stendahl, and Michael Novak. Part I is a personal rethinking of Christianity that finally leads to seeing it as a valid expression of the "pact between God and humankind." ISBN # 978-0827608078.

Opening the Covenant: A Jewish Theology of Christianity by Michael Kogen. Sees Judaism's sister religion as an extension of the mission to become a "light to the nations;" explores scripture and theological work, ultimately rejecting exclusivism. ISBN #10- 0195112598 and ISBN #13- 978-0195112597.

The Jewish Connection to Israel, the Promised Land: A Brief Introduction for Christians by Eugene Korn, takes Christians through Jewish views about Israel's importance to Jews and to Christians. ISBN #13-978-1-58023-318-7 and ISBN #10-1-58023-318-X

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Presbyterian and joint resources

"Biblical Israel, Contemporary Israel: Are They the Same?" written by Eugene Marsh, who was the chair of the committee which wrote "A Theological Understanding of the Relationship between Christians and Jews" [adopted by the 1987 General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) for study and advice]. In the Thoughtful Christian curriculum series, available online for download. #TC0279.

Toward a Theological Understanding of the Relationship Between Christians and Jews, commended to the church for study and reflection by the 199th General Assembly (1987). Download this resource, with a study guide

Brief Brochure, Christians and Jews (#74-292-01-001)

Christians and Jews - People of God. Church Issues #7 in the Theology and Worship occasional paper series, bringing together documents on this relationship that are of special interest to Presbyterians. (See the contents by clicking on the PDS number.) PDS #70-420-05-004.

How the Rapture Involves Israel by Eugene March, #TC0001 in The Thoughtful Christian curriculum to be downloaded online

Israel in the Theology of Calvin: Towards a New Approach to the Old Testament and Judaism A translation from German. Download.

Judaism by Jay Rock, #TC0020 in The Thoughtful Christian curriculum to be downloaded online

Let Us Reason Together: Christians and Jews in Conversation, addresses the theological relationship and appreciation for what differences between us affect the God we know and worship. #9781571532114.

Open Doors, Open Minds, resources prepared by the Union for Reform Judaism to be used for joint study and discussion by Christian and Jewish congregations. Presbyterians will find additional help for such a study in the Presbyterian Supplement created as a companion piece.

• Download the orginal resource
• Download the Presbyterian Supplement
• Download Open Doors, Open Minds II, dealing with poverty, the environment, war and peace, the death penalty
• See the Open Doors, Open Minds Follow-up Programming suggestions on the Reform Judaism web site

Perspective on a Presbyterian "Messianic" New Church Development in Philadelphia, prepared for information and reflection by the PC(USA) office of interfaith relations

Preaching the Gospels without Blaming the Jews: A Lectionary Commentary by Ronald Allen and Clark Williamson. ISBN # 978-0664227630. Regularly sold at 50% discount for subscribers to thepresbyterianleader.com and thethoughtfulchristian.com.

Resolution on All Forms of Anti-Semitism, adopted by the 202nd General Assembly (1990)

Should the Ten Commandments Be Displayed in Public? by Nancy Duff, #TC0022 in The Thoughtful Christian curriculum to be downloaded, discusses the theological issue raised for Christians and Jews.

Thinking and Working Together: Study and Action Suggestions for Jewish and Christian Congregations, created by the PC(USA) and the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (now the Union for Reform Judaism) in 1993, offers a number of plans for congregations wanting to study or engage in a project together. The material includes resources and guidelines for use when groups engage in conversation on Middle East issues. Download this resource or order #24393037.

Resources from other sources

A Sacred Obligation: Rethinking Christian Faith in Relation to Judaism and the Jewish People, a statement by the Christian Scholars Group on Christian-Jewish Relations

Bearing Faithful Witness, a series of materials from the United Church of Canada

Challenges in Jewish-Christian Relations by Edward Kessler and James Aitken, eds., 2006, Paulist Press. ISBN 0809143925.

Christians and the Holocaust, an older resource now available for download, prepared by the National Council of Churches

The Chosen People Puzzle by Richard Mouw, in Christianity Today, March 5, 2001 posting, condensed from a chapter in The Smell of Sawdust: What Evangelicals Can Learn from Their Fundamentalist Heritage. An evangelical Presbyterian wrestles with the dialogue and cooperation with Jews as this relates to witness and evangelism.

Dabru Emet, a statement on Christians and Christianity made by the National Jewish Scholars Project that has been called to the attention of members of the PC(USA). For a hard copy, order #7429202004.

Evangelical and Israel: Theological Roots of a Political Alliance, by Donald Wagner, an article by a Presbyterian minister and professor at North Park University

Jewish-Christian Relations, the extensive International Council of Christians and Jews web site

From Time to Time a New Shipment of History Arrives: The Church, the Synagogue, and the Dilemma of the Middle East, a lecture at United Theological Seminaries by the UCC's John Thomas, looks at the theological statements of 1987 in light of recent developments and draws a theological conclusion

Jews and Christians: A Journey of Faith, two-hour PBS video based on a book by Marvin Wilson, Our Father Abraham: Roots of the Christian Faith. Guide available. Can be purchased with public performance rights from the National Council of Churches.

The Jewish People . . . and the Christian Bible , a document of the Pontifical Biblical Commission

Jews and Christians: A Journey of Faith, video with study guide, available through the NCC interfaith office

Judaism “Quick Guide,” a resource of the Episcopal Church Interfaith Education Initiative

The Misunderstood Jew: The Church and the Scandal of the Jewish Jesus by Amy-Jill Levine, ISBN #978-0-06-078966-4. Levine, who is an Orthodox Jewish professor of New Testament at Vanderbilt Divinity School, writes for the general public as she insists on the necessity of seeing Jesus as a Jew whose words were frequently addressed to Jews. Understanding this, she believes, is an antidote to anti-Semitism. The book ultimately offers a list of suggestions for interfaith dialogue between Jews and Christians.

The National Jewish Population Survey, 2000-01. Strength, Challenge and Diversity in the American Jewish Population , available at the United Jewish Communities web site

No Energy Crisis Here, a review of Jewish life in 2009 by Stephen Bayme, published by Jewish Week.

Nostre Aetate After 40 Years: A Decisive Change, by Michael Signer, a Jewish scholar who teaches at the University of Notre Dame, with discussion questions available.

Paper Clips, Educational Version, a DVD and lesson materials for grades 6-12 available from through the Anti-Defamation League, to help youth conceptualize the magnitutde of the Holocaust; based on the real-life teaching that emerged in a Tennessee middle school

The Passion of Christ, a resource of the Institute for Christian-Jewish Studies that has a good section on biblical considerations, including a description of a group method used to study these

Reflections on Covenant and Mission, from a consultation of the National Council of Synagogues and the [Catholic] Bishops’ Committee for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs

Talking Points: Topics in Christian-Jewish Relations, a set of resources of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America available online

The Willowbrook Declaration, a statement of the Willowbrook Consultation on the Gospel and the Jewish People sponsored by the World Evangelical Fellowship and supported by the Lausanne Committee. See also the Lausanne Consultation on Jewish Evangelism, the LCJE Bulletin, and their links.

Windows for Understanding: Jewish, Muslim, Lutheran Relations, ELCA study material with many parts that can be helpful to others, downloadable from the ELCA web site.

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Christian-Muslim relations

A film now in theaters

Of Gods and Men directed by Xavier Beauvois in French. The movie is based on the story of Trappist monks in Algeria who were kidnapped and murdered in 1996 during the Algerian civil war. The monks lived at peace among Muslim neighbors until they were forced to confront both the government and terrorists, but they decided they would not voluntarily leave their monastery home.

New resources

Allah: A Christian Response by Miroslav Volf. A key dialogue participant in the rounds of Muslim-Christian discussion following "A Common Word Between Us and You" now discusses points of intersection and overlap between the two faith traditions and offers a well-considered claim that Muslims and Christians worship the same God. ISBN #978-0-06-192707-2. Day1.org posted an excerpt online and Christian Century has adapted an excerpt, "Allah and the Trinity."

Christian-Muslim Talking Points: Topics in Christian-Muslim Relations is provided by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and provides free downloadable material (plus a user guide) on such topics as believing in God, forgiveness and salvation, the Bible and the Qur'an.

Islamophobia: The Challenge of Pluralism in the 21st Century edited by John Esposito and Ibrahim Kalin. In a multidisciplinary approach, this book combines analysis and policy recommendations. Contributors evaluate good practices and offer new methods for dealing with discrimination, hatred, and racism. ISBN # 978-0199753659 (for the paperback edition).

Islamic Horizons, which is produced by the Islamic Society of North America and has the largest distribution of any English-language Muslim magazine in the U.S., is now available online. Archived issues back to 2008 are also available. There is also a search function for magazine articles.

Presbyterian and Presbyterian-adopted resources

A Study on Islam, action growing out of the Islamic Study advisory committee's work, adopted by the 199th General Assembly (1987)

 Abraham and Ibrahim: the Bible and the Qur’an Told to Children by Francien van Overbeeke- Rippen with a study guide by Kenneth and Margaret Thomas, a resource for teaching children about Islam. Order from PDS, ISBN 1-57153-072-X.

Brief Brochure, Christians and Muslims (for Korean, order #742901002KOR)

Cartoons of Muhammad: Free Speech or Sacriligious Offense? by Ted Peters, #TC0080 in The Thoughtful Christian curriculum to be downloaded online

Christian Fasting by Lynne Baab, #TC0099 in The Thoughtful Christian curriculum to be
downloaded, should be a valuable help to Christian self-understanding for those engaged in dialogue about this practice

Christian/Muslim Dialogue Packet. #7429202002.

Christians and Muslims in Dialogue: Facets of a Relationship, a resource that originally grew out of listening to the experiences of Presbyterians involved in these relationships; includes very simple explanations of Islam and Christian relations with Islam. #7429202001.

Faithful Living Among Muslims: Christian Witness in Markedly Different Settings. Audio recording of a panel at the PC(USA) World Mission '07 conference with John Azumah, Ghana; Hendrik Shanazari, Iran; Peggy Thomas, U.S.A./global; and Jay Rock, moderator. Listen online.

Islam by Marston Speight, #TC0046 in The Thoughtful Christian curriculum to be downloaded

Islam and Christianity by Mitali Perkins, a young adult resource in the We Believe curriculum, order #613600; for the author’s description of the motivation for writing, click here.

Introduction to the Koran by Nancy Mikoski, #TC0102 in The Thoughtful Christian curriculum to be downloaded

Shi’ites and Sunnis: Sibling Rivalry in the Muslim Family by Elias Mallon, #TC0060 in The Thoughtful Christian curriculum to be downloaded

Striving Together in Dialogue: A Muslim-Christian Call to Reflection and Action, a document prepared by Muslim-Christian dialogue hosted by the World Council of Churches and adopted by the PC(USA) for guidance. Download

Toward an Understanding of Christian-Muslim Relations, approved for study and guidance by the 219th General Assembly (2010). Download.

You Shall Love Your Neighbor: Christians and Muslims in a Time of Fear, Church & Society magazine, January/February 1994, grows out of a basic World Council of Churches statement, “Issues in Christian-Muslim Relations: Ecumenical Considerations,” commended by the 205th General Assembly (1993) for study and implementation. The WCC statement is included, together with articles that explore its facets. PDS #72630-94-601 (Use the Quick Order button; order by number, not by title).

What Did the Pope Mean? Christianity, Islam, and the Struggle for Understanding by Steve Lytch, #TC0085 in The Thoughtful Christian curriculum to be downloaded, discusses the Pope's comments, issues it raises, and actions Christians might take.

Resources from other sources

Approaching the Qur'an: the Early Revelations, 2nd edition, by Michael Sells. The introduction alone is worth the price of the book, which comes with a CD with an hour's Qur'anic recordings by both male and female reciters. ISBN #13- 978-1883991692.

Collections & Stories of American Muslims (CSAM), web site on the history of Islam in America, particularly important for tracing African-American history from early years in the nation's development.

Faith Matters: Sunnis and Shias, broadcast on WNPR featuring three Muslim graduate students at Hartford Seminary, for listening online

Ishmael Instructs Isaac: An Introduction to the Qur'an for Bible Readers by John Kaltner. ISBN 0-8146-5882-2.

Islam Project, centered around a web site and encompasses two PBS films, "Legacy of a Prophet" and "Muslims," as well as the American Muslim Teens Talk video with lesson plans, a series of online maps, and a community engagement component now functioning in a number of larger cities in partnership with local entities, including Auburn Seminary in New York City.  "Legacy of a Prophet" has a special study guide made available from the NCC interfaith office.

Islamica magazine, from the Center for Intercivilization Dialogue, winner of prestigious awards administered by the Religion Communicators Council, has both Muslim and non-Muslim writers. See its good web site.

islamicfinder.com, web site for calculating local times for prayer and locating local Islamic institutions

ISNA 2006 convention videos, various speakers and topics related to the theme, "Achieving Balance in Faith, Balance and Community"

Muhammad: Legacy of a Prophet, a video presentation by KQED, available with a study guide from the NCC interfaith office

Muslims, Christians, and the Challenge of Interfaith Dialogue by Jane I. Smith. Looks at models of Christian-Muslim dialogue in America, the pluralist imperatives in each religious community, and new directions. ISBN #20-0195307313 and ISBN #13-978-0195307313.

Noah's Other Son: Bridging the Gap Between the Bible and the Qur'an by Brian Arthur Brown. Examines 25 major figures found in both the Qur'an and the Bible to understand the similarities in the texts' underpinnings, for the Muslim, Jew, and Christian. ISBN #0-8294-2797-9 and ISBS #13-9-78-0-8264-2797-7.

Revelation: Catholic and Muslim Perspectives by the Midwest Dialogue of Catholics and Muslims, 2006, USCCB Publishing. The result of eight years of dialogue, providing an introduction through looking at a fundamental concept in both religions. ISBN 1-57455-630-4.

Strengthening America: The Civic and Political Integration of Muslim Americans report by the Task Force on Muslim American Civic and Political Engagement, sponsored by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, 2007.

That We May Know Each Other, a document and accompanying study guide of the Justice, Global and Ecumenical Relations Unit, United Church of Canada.

The American Muslim Teenager's Handbook, prepared by a mother and her two children post-9/11, has proved useful beyond the Muslim community. There is an Islam 101, a guide to prayer and the hajj, tips on reading the Qur'an, thoughtful discussion on controversial issues, a reflection of the varying attitudes and practices among U.S. Muslim teenagers. ISBN #10-0979253128 and ISBN #13-978-0979253126.

The Sublime Qur'an, a translation into English by an Iranian-American woman, Laleh Bakhtiar, receiving notice for its formatting in the sequence of the Qur'an's oral transmission and for its translation of verse 4:34 that conventionally reads " to beat" but here reads "to go away" concerning actions of husbands in relation to their wives. ISBN #10-1567447503 and #13-978-1567447507.

What Does Islam Say about Terrorism?, a brochure available on the Why Islam? web site.

Who Speaks for Islam?: What a Billion Muslims Really Think by John Esposito and Dalia Mogahed. Analyzes the results of a six year study by the Gallup Organization that amplifies voices of Muslims who are not heard in the media. See a review. ISBN #10- 1595620176 and ISBN #13- 978-1595620170.

Windows for Understanding: Jewish, Muslim, Lutheran Relations, ELCA study material with many parts that can be helpful to others, downloadable from the ELCA web site.

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Latter-day Saints relations

Presbyterian resources

Brief Brochure, Presbyterians and Latter-day Saints, available for download 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) by Eileen Lindner, #TC0004 in The Thoughtful Christian curriculum series to be downloaded

Journal of Presbyterian History, Winter 2002, on Presbyterians and Mormons

Presbyterians and Mormons: A Study in Contrasts, a resource prepared by Theology and Worship with a study guide. PDS #273-90-001.

Resources from other sources

A Portrait of Mormons in the U.S., from an analysis of the U.S. Religious Landscape Study by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, July 2009. Available online.

The Mormons, four-hour documentary produced by PBS available in DVD. Order online.

Why Is It So Hard to Talk about Mormons?, a short essay from Sightings, which offers commentary on public religion from the Martin Marty Center at the University of Chicago

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Buddhist-Christian relations

Buddhism, #TC0216 in The Thoughtful Christian curriculum to be downloaded, looks at Buddhists' practice of their religion, where they are, and what possible areas of agreement there are between them and Christians

Christian Learning about Buddhist Neighbors, information about Buddhists and a Christian reflection on Christian faith in light of Theravada Buddhism. #7429201006.

The Society of Buddhist-Christian Studies, a coordinating body supporting activities in the comparative study of, and the practical interaction between, Buddhism and Christianity; publisher of the Buddhist-Christian Studies Journal

Tricycle: the Buddhist Review, the leading independent journal of Buddhism in the West, introducing and disseminating Buddhist views and values

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Hindu-Christian relations

Hindu-Christian Dialogue: A Hindu Perspective, article by Seshagiri Rao, from the Hindu-Christian Studies Bulletin

Hinduism from Ancient Times and supplemental resources, from Hinduism Today magazine, promoted by the Hindu Temple Executives Conference for use in schools, sixth grade or older.

Introduction to Hinduism, posted by the Hindu-American Foundation. See also the Media Toolkit on the same web site, dealing with misrepresentations perpetuated by the media.

ISKCON in Relation to People of Faith, by Saunaka Rsi Dasa. ISKCON, a Vedic-Hindu movement commonly encountered in the U.S., states its position on relationships; from a larger issue of the ISKCON Communication Journal, December 1999, that includes responses and other articles of interest, available online.

Ramayana podcast, episodic readings in English translation of the Ramayana as told by Sri Ramacharitramanas in The Lake of Exploits of Shri Ram; in 30 minute episodes, available free online.

Seven Vows or Saptapadi, an outline of the vows taken at a Hindu wedding

The Society for Hindu-Christian Studies, dedicated to the study of Hinduism and Christianity and their interrelationships; publisher of the Journal of Hindu-Christian Studies

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Other relations

Bibliographies from the Center for Multifaith Education, Auburn Seminary, compiled by Lucinda Mosher and Daniel Brenner, arranged according to specific relationships

Other Faiths Articles and Resources, a service of the Episcopal Church Interfaith Education Initiative

Pagan Involvement in the Interfaith Movement: Exclusions, Dualities and Contributions, by Grove Harris, a Cross Currents article

Scientology by David Otto. #TC0132  in The Thoughtful Christian curriculum series to be downloaded

Sikh-Americans and Religious Liberty, an interview with Robert T. Tuttle by a researcher at the Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion & Public Life

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