Earth Empire and Sacred Text Muslims and Christians as Trustees of Creation by David L. Johnston (London and Oakville, CT: Equinox Publishing, Ltd., 2010, hbk. 641 pages)

Abstract

There is a new trend in the progressive quarter of American Evangelical
Christianity to form common bonds with Muslims. From this impulse
stem books such as Miroslav Volf’s Allah: A Christian Response
and Carl Medearis’ Muslims, Christians, and Jesus: Gaining Understanding
and Building Relationships, as well as organizations such as Rick
Love’s Peace Catalyst and Yale Divinity School’s Reconciliation Program.
David Johnston’s robust Earth, Empire and Sacred Text falls within
this trend (although these are by no means monolithic attempts and each must be evaluated on its own terms). As an Evangelical Christian
with an academic streak and extensive international experience, Johnston
is uniquely positioned to not only reach out to Muslims but also
to educate his fellow American Christians. The book is an extraordinary
undertaking and may be considered a three-volume work collapsed
into one. Devout yet pragmatic, Johnston is prepared to engage
the reality of the world in order develop a theology that acknowledges
its own limitations. Johnston combines intellectual rigor with political
activism, while remaining theologically inclusive yet authentic ...