Wonder Beyond Belief

Navid Kermani is a writer and scholar who lives in Cologne, Germany. He has received numerous accolades for his literary and academic work, including the 2015 Peace Prize of the German Publishers’ Association, Germany’s most prestigious cultural award.

‘An astonishing, deeply sympathetic, constantly surprising meditation on Christianity from one of the greatest Muslim writers and thinkers in the Western world. Kermani writes perceptively about individual works of art and particular places, about the New Testament, and about the rich traditions of Christian theology and practice. Still more important, he articulates a vision of Islamic–Christian friendship that is, in our vexed world, a human gift of rare importance.’Stephen Greenblatt, Cogan University Professor of the Humanities, Harvard University ‘In this beautifully written book, Navid Kermani performs something which, if not unprecedented, is still highly unusual, as he considers Christianity from the distance of a different faith. He does not claim any superiority here, quite the opposite. Unencumbered by the need to accept or reject, he explores the Christian faith with an alert interest and consuming curiosity. Through his keen gaze, coupled with a profound knowledge of theology and art history, Kermani captivates readers with the marvels of artworks that they might otherwise never really notice. The anglophone world needs and deserves this gem of a book.’Daniel Boyarin, University of California, Berkeley ‘In this book Navid Kermani draws on his unique perspectives as a Muslim intellectual to offer thoughtful reflections on the complex divine ideas underlying Christian art and the deep parallels that can be drawn between it and other traditions, including mystical Islam. As an outside observer of Christianity, Kermani reminds us that the great faith traditions have more in common than they have difference and how, at the end of the day, we all pay tribute to the same divine spirit. May more Muslim and Christian thinkers alike be inspired by his deep reflectiveness and willingness to engage across faith traditions.’Ambassador Akbar Ahmed, Ibn Khaldun Chair of Islamic Studies, American University, Washington, DC ‘When I lived in Deir Mar Musa, Paolo Dall’Oglio would sometimes press a “very important” book on me to read. I am sure that Wonder Beyond Belief is one of these books. It encourages debate and impresses the reader with the need for communication and respect for other people’s beliefs.’Emma Loosley, University of Exeter

• I. MOTHER AND SON 1 MOTHER 3SON 8MISSION 15LOVE I 22LOVE II 28HUMILIATION 34BEAUTY 40CROSS 47LAMENTATION 52RESURRECTION 57TRANSFORMATION 62DEATH 78GOD I 85GOD II 93II. WITNESS 101CAIN 103JOB 108JUDITH 115ELIZABETH 121PETER 126JEROME 132URSULA I 138URSULA II 142BERNARD 149FRANCIS 156PETER NOLASCO 163SIMONIDA 169PAOLO DALL’OGLIO 174III. INVOCATION 195VOCATION 197PRAYER 202SACRIFICE 208CHURCH 213PLAY 220KNOWLEDGE 226TRADITION 235LIGHT 249LUST I 262LUST II 267RECESSIONAL 272ART 280FRIENDSHIP 288ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 306BIBLIOGRAPHY 309ILLUSTRATION CREDITS 317