December 6, 2006

BREKLUM, Germany/GENEVA – The hope for an engaged dialogue in Christian-Muslim relations beyond mere disinterested toleration was expressed by German Lutheran Bishop Dr Hans Christian Knuth at a theological consultation in Breklum, Germany.

"I do hope that we will be able to give witness to the love of God and the truth of the Christian faith in interfaith contexts and move beyond mere disinterested toleration, towards an engaged dialogue of love and compassion with people of different beliefs," Knuth, bishop of the North Elbian Evangelical Lutheran Church, Germany, told around 30 participants attending the 1 to 3 December consultation at the Christian-Jensen-Kolleg in Breklum.

The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Department for Theology and Studies (DTS) organized the meeting in cooperation with the North Elbian Mission Center (NMZ). Its theme was "Beyond Toleration? Assessing and responding to the new challenges in Christian-Muslim Relations." The consultation's purpose was to assess the present situation after some decades of LWF work in the area of Christian-Muslim relations, and to deepen theological responses to the new challenges member churches face in this area.

Participants mostly came from the LWF member churches in European countries that have recently been experiencing increases in the visible presence of Muslims, and tensions related to this. Other countries represented included Brazil, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Tanzania and the United States.

Representatives from the North Elbian church and from other churches in Germany, shared the many ways in which their congregation members have been pursuing Christian-Muslim relations. It became apparent that there are striking differences in how Muslims are integrated into neighboring countries such as Denmark and Sweden.

Prof. Viggo Mortensen, Aarhus University, Denmark, warned that Europe may be on the brink of developing apartheid societies of Christians and Muslims. In contrast, Dr Goeran Gunner, representing the Church of Sweden Research Department, pointed to a distinctly Swedish form of Islam that is developing there, with Muslims adapting some rituals to become more "Swedish."

Asian and African participants pointed to how deeply cultural, global economic and political factors affect Christian-Muslim relations. "In India, both Christianity and Islam are regarded as foreign, and must together face the power of a Hindu majority," pointed out Rev. Manmasih Ekka, Gossner Theological College. Dr Leonard Mtaita, general secretary of the Christian Council of Tanzania said, "If we do not find ways to live together, we may not live at all." "We must move beyond tolerance to genuine relationships with Muslims, rooted in accountability and respect," pleaded Dr Carol Schersten LaHurd, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Christian identity and belief are not set aside but deepened and expanded through dialogue with Muslims. A number of participants remarked that Muslims are much clearer about who they are and what they believe. They also noted that this causes many Christians to probe deeper into the content and meaning of the Christian faith. "In that sense, this is evoking the kind of theological probing that is at the heart of the LWF's ‘Theology in the Life of the Church' initiative, of which this event was a part," observed Rev. Dr Karen Bloomquist, DTS director.

Dr Risto Jukko, working with the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission, and based in Paris, France, advocated a plurality in unity approach as the way forward. "The Triune God means that there must be principles of transparency, companionship, and equality in our relations* The Trinity is the transcendental condition for inter-religious dialogue, permitting us to take the other in all seriousness, without fear or violence," he said.

The consultation's recommendations included a call for the critical review of the Lutheran historical legacy as it relates to Muslims. A number of theological themes for possible exploration with Muslims were identified. Christians were challenged to reciprocate the "open mosque" hospitality practice of Muslims by designating a specific day when Muslims and people of other faiths would intentionally be welcomed to visit "open churches."

Lutheran World Information