Master of Arts in Theology

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Browsing Master of Arts in Theology by Author "Jigeesh Baby, Benjamin"

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    Christian Understanding of Jesus Christ In Relation To the Mission of the Church Towards Muslims
    (Tangaza University College, 2014) Jigeesh Baby, Benjamin
    Encounters between people of different religions are part and parcel of the socio-religious context in the world today which is inevitable in any society. The experience that I acquired gave me a deep desire to promote interreligious dialogue among people of different religions, especially in the field of Christian – Muslim relations. Undoubtedly we can say that it is God who inspires one to engage in dialogue through encounter for one finds one’s origin in God. It is said that, “At all times and in every race, anyone who fears God and does what is right has been acceptable to him. He has, however, willed to make men holy and save them, not as individuals without any bond or link between them, but rather to make them into a people who might acknowledge him and serve him in holiness. He therefore chose the Israelites to be his own people and established a covenant with them. He gradually instructed this people…All these things, however, happened as a preparation for and figure of that new and perfect covenant which was to be ratified in Christ…the New Covenant in his blood; he called together a race made up of Jews and Gentiles which would be one, not according to the flesh, but in the Spirit” (Cf. CCC,741). In fact, it is so evident that Jesus had a couple of encounters with gentiles in his public ministry. And those encounters did not just happen by chance but were well planned in the salvific mission for all humanity. These encounters are well immersed into the mission of Jesus including all humanity, regardless of religions, traditions, tribes and gender. Obviously, Jesus had a great concern towards gentiles and the encounters he had created a new dimension of relationship between Jesus and those gentiles. This led eventually to a total transformation. Today the Church is called to carry out the same mission of Jesus Christ towards other religions, especially, with Muslimswith the same spirit of Jesus; a mission that considers encounter as an inevitable element and a threshold to open up dialogue with Muslims as far as the mission of the Church is concerned. It is only through encounter and dialogue that the Church can create a better relationship with Muslims. Jesus in the gospel seemed to have created a good relationship with Gentiles. The encounters he had with them eventually led him to engage in dialogue. Therefore, the aspect of encounter and dialogue isthe principal foundation for evangelization as far as the mission of the Church is concerned towards Muslims. In this long essay, we would like to make a comparative study between the encounters and dialogues of Jesus that are found in John’s Gospel and the encounter and dialogue mission of theChurch today towards Muslim. To see how the encounter of Jesus influenced the mission of Church today towards other religions, especially Muslims, and shaped the perception of the Church by Muslims as far the missionof the Church is concerned. Having had enough encounter and dialogue experience with my Muslims friends during my two years of pastoral period in Northern Ghana, I am prompted to write this long essay on this theme based on that experience in my life. This long essay has helped me to prepare to live an authentic missionary life in relationship with Muslims everywhere in the world, as foreseen by our founder Cardinal Charles Lavigerie and later redefined by the Society of Missionaries of Africa. I am confident that this effort will surely bare sufficient fruits in order to enrich my understanding of relationship with Muslim. And we are sure that this work will enlighten all those who are interested in this area.