Earth, Empire and Sacred Text

David L. Johnston is currently an adjunct lecturer in the Religious Studies Department of the University of Pennsylvania and in the Theology Department of the St. Joseph's University, both in Philadelphia. He lived for fifteen years in Algeria, Egypt and the West Bank, where he served as a pastor and teacher. He then completed his PhD work at Fuller Theological Seminary (Pasadena, California) in theology and Islamic Studies; continued his research and taught part-time at the Religious Studies Department at Yale University. His published articles and essays have mostly focused on the intersection of theology and law in contemporary Islam (Islamochristiana, Islamic Law and Society, The Maghreb Review, Die Welt des Islams and the Journal of the American Academy of Religion).

"The breadth of Johnston's reading and research on display here is simply staggering. In addition to his deep familiarity with over a millennium of Islamic commentary on the Qur'an, he also brings to this project a range of insights drawn from the disciplines of sociology, economics, politics, and philosophy, as well as from hermeneutics and from both Muslim and Christian theology." Stephen J. Davis, Yale University, USA "Johnston offers a possible rapprochement between Christians, Muslims, Jews, and indeed, the whole human family, based on insightful Christian and Islamic readings of sacred texts conveying God's original creational commission." David Naugle, Dallas Baptist University, USA "A brilliant example of profound scholarship that connects with social and political realities. Trusteeship is not just a concept that will enhance Christian- Muslim relations. It offers a sound and solid foundation for the articulation of our common humanity. Johnston has brought all these elements together in this magnificent work." Chandra Muzaffar, Nordin Sopiee Professor of Global Studies,Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia "This book, extraordinary by any standard, sets out to establish a common discourse and a common ground between Muslims and Christians in relation to the human responsibility which they, along with Jews and other people of faith, share towards the world and the management of its resources." Muslim Education Quarterly "Johnston's evaluation of the destructive culture of postmodernity, his call to find meaning in the world by struggling to change it, his attempt to develop a systematic model for textual interpretation, and his vision to develop a common theological framework for Christians and Muslims are admirable. I see glimpses of a prophetic soul at work through Johnston's hand." The American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences "Johnston does not shy away from showing how intractable problems such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can benefit from such cooperation and dialogue. Similarly, he unflinchingly addresses larger difficulties of eco-justice and planetary sustainability." International Bulletin of Missionary Research "A generous attempt to find a common ground for an active commitment in order to improve the human condition, in its largest meaning, in this world. The author tries to go into a lot of issues pertaining to different fields: politics, sociology, economy, environmental questions, hermeneutics, philosophy...maybe a very big enterprise for a single study or a single author! Nevertheless, the effort is definitely appreciable." Islamochristiana

• Foreword by Bishop Kenneth Cragg Introduction Part 1: OUR POSTMODERN SITUATION Chapter 1: Postmodernity and the Double Wall Chapter 2: Beyond Modernism: Time, Space and the Self Chapter 3: Beyond Modernism: From Theory to Activism Chapter 4: Qur'an, Bible, Hermeneutics and Theology Chapter 5: Reading Holy Scriptures Part 2: HUMAN TRUSTEESHIP: MUSLIM AND CHRISTIAN INTERPRETATIONS Chapter 6: The Human Caliphate: Qur'anic Data Chapter 7: Tafsir of Q. 2:30: Classical Period Chapter 8: Tafsir of Q. 2:30: Modern Period Chapter 9: Tafsir of Q. 2:30: Postmodern Period Chapter 10: A Biblical Trusteeship of Humanity Part 3: TOWARD AN APPLIED MUSLIM-CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY OF TRUSTEESHIP Chapter 11: A Common Theology of Trusteeship Chapter 12: Conclusion Appendix A: Sabeel Statement (2004) Appendix B: CPT in the Hebron District Appendix C: Ninian Smart's Typology of Religious Experience Appendix D: Toward an Authentic Muslim-Christian Dialogue