The Promise of Scriptural Reasoning

Christian Century, Jan 29, 2008

The Promise of Scriptural Reasoning. Edited by David F. Ford and C. C. Pecknold. Blackwell, 232 pp., $34.95.

The practice of scriptural reasoning is one of the most imaginative and productive approaches to interreligious dialogue. In this practice, Jews, Christians and Muslims come together to engage each other's sacred texts in such a way that each religion is allowed to maintain its integrity, while a deeper understanding and appreciation develops of the other sacred texts and traditions. The goal is not to reach some kind of consensus but to bring out the differences, enhancing "the quality of our disagreements," in the words of contributor Ben Quash. The practice can take place on the local level, and this collection can serve as a guide for folks who would like to form their own interreligious group for the sake of mutual hospitality.