In this book, Dr. Jerald Dirks explores the similarities and contrasts among Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Using the analogy of a tree, he notes that each of the three Abrahamic faiths claims to be the one, true, vertical extension of a trunk of primary revelation, with the other two religions being seen as lateral branches that deviate from the true verticality of the original trunk.
Working within the framework of this metaphor, Dr. Dirks focuses on a series of topics, including his own journey from Christianity to Islam, the extensive common ground that is to be found among the three faiths, the basic differences that separate Islam and Christianity, the issue of religious pluralism in a global world, Islamophobia in the Christian West, and the role of women in the scriptures and foundational texts of the three religions. Along the way, he exposes and corrects numerous myths about the faiths, myths that are too often accepted as common knowledge. Dr. Dirks concludes by calling for a reconciliation among the faiths that embraces and celebrates the commonalities to be found among them and that honestly and respectfully acknowledges their differences.
About the author --
Dr. Jerald F. Dirks holds B.A. and M. Divinity from Harvard University and doctorate in Psychology from the University of Denver.
He is a former ordained minister (deacon) in the United Methodist Church and is author of The Cross & The Crescent and Abraham - The Friend of God. He published over sixty articles in the field of clinical psychology and over one hundred and fifty articles on Arabian horses. He has traveled extensively in the Middle East and interacted widely with the Muslim communities in the United States.
