Islam and the West:
Conflict, Co-Existence or Conversion?
By Colin Chapman,. Paternoster. x & 198pp
ISBN 0 85364 781 X
The historical and contemporary relationship between Islam and the West has been littered with bloodshed and conflict. Colin Chapman's new book on this subject, based on a set of public lectures which he gave at All Nations Christian College in early 1996, begins on an encouraging note, as he does not launch directly into the sordid aspects of Muslim-Christian relations, but reminds us from the outset that conflict and confrontation do not tell the whole story. Indeed, 'there have been times of genuine coexistence' (p.1).
Chapter one deals with the difficult topic of the historical relationship, and carries the title 'The Legacy of History'. Given the complexities of this topic, such a title demands a detailed and even-handed assessment of both Muslim and Christian contributions to the relationship in the past. From this angle, Chapman's methodology encounters problems, for he has really set out specifically to give Christian readers a view through Muslim eyes at the history of Christian-Muslim relations. This in itself is a valid goal, as it is indeed necessary for Christians to listen to Muslim voices. How-ever the reverse is also true and the title of this chapter suggests that both viewpoints should have been examined in equal measure. This does not happen, however, and thus at the end of reading this chapter, the reader is left with the impression of having surveyed a very broad and detailed tapestry with one eye covered.
