Fuller Seminary to Host Lectures on Christian-Muslim Understanding

Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena will host the 2024 Intercultural Studies Lectures from Oct. 16-18, focusing on Islamic traditions and Muslim communities. The event, titled “Toward Respectful Understanding and Faithful Witness Among Muslims,” aims to bridge gaps between Christians and Muslims.

The lectures come at a time of significant demographic shifts in global religions. Islam is projected to become the world’s largest religion in a few decades, while two-thirds of Christians now reside in the Global South.

“Christians and Muslims have frequently misunderstood each other over the centuries, leading to discrimination, violence, and even war,” Fuller Seminary said in a statement. The institution cited historical conflicts like the Crusades and European colonization as examples of strained relations.

The lectures will address a range of topics, including post-Orientalist approaches to Islamic studies, engaging diverse Muslim communities, trauma-informed witness, and gender issues. Speakers will explore how Christians and Muslims can collaborate on issues such as climate change, peacemaking, and homelessness.

Martin Accad, professor of Islamic Studies at Arab Baptist Theological Seminary, will deliver a keynote on “Christians and Muslims Working Together for a Better World.” Other speakers include Andres Alonso Duncan, Sofia Lund, and Joseph Cumming. Christine Mallouhi, an author with extensive experience in North Africa and the Middle East who currently resides in Australia, will also speak. Mallouhi co-founded Al-Kalima, a group seeking reconciliation between Christians and Muslims.

The lectures will be held in a hybrid format, with the first day and a half offering both in-person and online sessions. The remaining three days will be fully online, allowing for global participation.

Fuller Seminary emphasized its commitment to rigorous Islamic scholarship and engaging Muslims in a manner that “reflects the love and character of Jesus Christ.” The event builds on the legacies of Dudley Woodberry, a world-class Islamic scholar and dean emeritus of Fuller’s School of Intercultural Studies, and Evelyne Reisacher, the late associate professor of Islamic Studies and intercultural relations.

Registration is required to attend the lectures. Fees are $50 for General Registration, $25 for alumni and non-Fuller students, and free for Fuller students, staff and faculty. 

To register, visit https://www.fuller.edu/intercultural-studies-lectures/.