In the Face of Difference

Congregations Building Understanding and Cooperation

By (author) William L. Sachs

Paperback - £19.99

Publication date:

20 November 2014

Length of book:

160 pages

Publisher

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Dimensions:

225x154mm
6x9"

ISBN-13: 9781566997249

Encounters with difference are the measure of faith, as how a person of one faith approaches persons of other faiths reveals the heart of religious conviction. Christian congregations are often ill-equipped to respond to differing religious perspectives. Most are hesitant, many are prejudiced. In the Face of Difference offers a basis for constructive response, demonstrating how one can honor people of another faith by living fully into one’s own faith.

William Sachs examines how Christians can maximize their spiritual growth through a genuine exchange of ideas and inspiration with those of others faiths, focusing on encounters between Christians and Muslims. By providing a clear and concrete blueprint for congregational leadership in new social circumstance, Sachs charts a course for overcoming major religious prejudice. He demonstrates how bridges can be built by applying the ideals of love of God and love of neighbor, and how faithful people can translate religious ideals into reconciling realities.
This exceptional book charters skillfully the road to reconciliation and building confidence and bridges between Christian and Muslim communities in the USA. While exploring ‘culture of wars,'’ Sachs examines how envisioned leadership and culture, compassion, education, and consensus can save our future. The plausible questions that the author poses enables readers to search for the truth at a time when Islam is becoming 'a cottage industry.' As a staunch believer in interfaith dialogue and peace building, and as a professor of Islamic and Middle East Studies, I highly recommend the book. I will use it as reference in my classes because of the book's multi-dimensional perspectives in addressing all these critical issues and teaching the quality of leadership in a world that is on edge.