Jesus of Arabia: Christ through Middle Eastern Eyes

241 Pages·2018·1.5 MB·English

by  Andrew Thompson

Illustrations by Teresa Penman
Christ through
Middle Eastern Eyes
ROWMAN & LITTLEFIELD
Lanham • Boulder • New York • London
Published by Rowman & Littlefield
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www.rowman.com
Unit A, Whitacre Mews, 26-34 Stannary Street, London SE11 4AB, United Kingdom
Copyright © 2014 by Andrew Thompson
Preface copyright © 2018 by Andrew Thompson
First Rowman & Littlefield edition published in 2018
Jesus of Arabia, by Reverend Canon Andrew Thompson, was originally published in the
United Arab Emirates by Motivate. This edition is by arrangement with Motivate. All
rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or
by any means electronic or mechanical including photocopying, reprinting, or on any
information storage or retrieval system without permission in writing from Motivate.
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Information Available
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Available
ISBN 978-1-5381-0944-1 (cloth : alk. paper)
ISBN 978-1-5381-0945-8 (electronic)
The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of American
National Standard for Information Sciences—Permanence of Paper for Printed Library
Materials, ANSI/NISO Z39.48-1992.
Printed in the United States of America
I dedicate this book to my wife Navina.
She has opened my eyes to the treasures of the Scriptures
through her cultural sensitivity. Because of her insights, my
understanding of Eastern and Western interpretations has
deepened; as a result I am enriched beyond measure.

CONTENTS
FOREWORD ix
PREFACE xiii
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS xix
INTRODUCTION xxi
PART ONE: FAMILY, HONOUR AND HOSPITALITY
Overview 3
Camel 13
Majlis 21
Wedding 25
PART TWO: RELIGION
Overview 39
Fasting 45
Pearl 51
Feet 57
PART THREE: WOMEN
Overview 65
Scent 71
Water 79
Hospitality 91
viii JESUS OF ARABIA
PART FOUR: LANGUAGE
Overview 99
Shepherd 107
Bread 113
Run 125
PART FIVE: THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM
Conclusion 135
Appendix A: Corruption of Scriptures 145
Appendix B: Islamic Views of the Crucifixion 153
Appendix C: The Identity of Christ 163
Appendix D: The Bible on Arabs and Arabia 175
BIBLIOGRAPHY 189
INDEX 195
FOREWORD
THE MOST CURSORY INSPECTION of the tenets of different
faiths reveals considerable common ground among
them. In all faiths a respect for human life, a desire
for peace and safety, and an imperative to appreciate each
other as valued individuals, guides adherents in living wor-
thy lives. An understanding that our life on earth is not
our ultimate existence unites faiths. Therefore we must be
thoughtful and upright in the way we live in order to re-
alize the potential for broad human development around
the globe.
Uniting people of differing faiths, finding common
ground among those who come from different cultural
traditions, harnessing the core values that are common
to all religions – these principles are consistent with the
aims of the United Arab Emirates. Following the vision of
our Founding President, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan
Al Nahyan, and continuing under the wise leadership of
His Highness the President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu
Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan, the UAE has
committed itself to bridging the gaps that separate peo-
ple of different cultures, and discovering and celebrating
the bonds that unite them. We believe strongly that hon-
est, good faith dialogue among dedicated individuals and
organizations representing people of diverse religions,