RUTH ILLMAN wishes to reclaim interreligious dialogue from the
purely intellectual, and so has researched Art and
Belief from the perspective of artists who are engaged in
such conversation. The six artists who participated in her study
come from different fields - literature, multimedia, music, and
visual art - and faith backgrounds within the Abrahamic traditions.
She addresses how the forms and functions of interreligious
dialogue can be understood in contemporary culture, what part art
can play as a metaphor in religious dialogue, and how the six
chosen artists engage personally in this arena (Equinox, £60
(£54); 978-1-84553-966-5).
Christian Troll's Muslims Ask, Christians
Answer is aimed at Christians who may find themselves in
dialogue with Muslims and be unsure what to say. Troll addresses 12
areas in his book. For each, he sets out both Islamic and Christian
perspectives before going on to suggest answers that may be offered
to enquiring Muslims. Originally written in German, this book is a
translation by David Marshall (New City, £12.50 (£11.25);
978-1-56548-430-6).