Conferences 2017
The Concept of Tolerance and Peace
Lectures
The Concept of Tolerance…
- … in Judaism: Prof. Dr. Michael Zank, Boston University
- … in Christianity: Prof. Dr. Christian Polke, University of Göttingen
- … in Islam: Prof. Dr. Anna Aişe Akasoy, City University New York
The Concept of Peace…
- … in Judaism: Dr. Alick Isaacs, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
- … in Christianity: LtWissDir Prof. Dr. Volker Stümke, Bundeswehr Command and Staff College in Hamburg
- … in Islam: Prof. Dr. Asma Afsaruddin, Indiana University Bloomington
The conference took place in Erlangen from December 13 to 15, 2017.
Program
Report
Contents:
I. The Concept of Tolerance
1. The Concept of Tolerance in Judaism (Prof. Dr. Michael Zank, Boston University)
2. The Concept of Tolerance in Christianity (Prof. Dr. Christian Polke, Georg August University of Göttingen)
3. The Concept of Tolerance in Islam (Prof. Dr. Anna Ayşe Akasoy, City University of New York)
4. Final discussion
II. The Concept of Peace
1. The Concept of Peace in Judaism (Dr. Alick Isaacs, Hebrew University of Jerusalem)
2. The Concept of Peace in Christianity (Prof. Dr. Volker Stümke, German Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Hamburg)
3. The Concept of Peace in Islam (Prof. Dr. Asma Afsaruddin, Indiana University Bloomington)
4. Final discussion
Volume 'Concept of Tolerance'
Tolerance as a universal value of modernity is not usually associated in the general consciousness with religion, which is often seen as inherently intolerant. This volume deals with the hermeneutics of tolerance as it relates to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Each author offers an independent theological interpretation of traditional sources and explains the potential and limitations of tolerance in monotheistic thinking. In addition, the book presents studies on the promotion of tolerance in various historical and cultural contexts, illustrating both similarities and differences between the three religions. The evidence presented in this volume shows that tolerance occupies an important place in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Edited by Catharina Rachik and Georges Tamer.
Volume 'Concept of Peace'
The eighth volume in the series “Key Concepts in Interreligious Discourses” examines the roots of the concept of “peace” in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, as well as its relevance for the present day.
In light of current violent conflicts that are waged and justified with religious ideas or motives, the topic of peace education dominates current debates on religion and peace. The central question here is: How can traditional sources in religions contribute to laying down arms and creating a society in which everyone can live safely and without hostility or the threat of violence? Looking at the sacred scriptures of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, it becomes clear that the term “peace” and its equivalents in Hebrew, Greek, and Arabic initially describe an ideal state based on God’s ‘love’ or “mercy” toward his creation. It is a divine gift that gives the individual inner peace and brings about an outer peace based on justice and equality. One of the main tasks of Jews, Christians, and Muslims throughout history has been to find out how this transcendent ideal can be brought down to earth.
This volume presents the concept of “peace” in its various aspects as anchored in the traditions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. It explores the similarities and differences between the three monotheistic religions as well as the diverse discourses on peace within these three traditions. The book offers fundamental knowledge about the specific understanding of peace in each of these traditions, their interdependencies, and their relationship to secular worldviews.
Edited by Georges Tamer.
The Concept of Faith and the Notion of Truth
Lectures
The Concept of Faith…
- … in Judaism: Prof. Dr. Susanne Talabardon, University of Bamberg
- … in Christianity: Prof. em. Dr. Walter Sparn, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg
- … in Islam: Prof. Ovamir Anjum, University of Toledo
The Concept of Truth…
- … in Judaism: Sen.-Prof. Dr. Stefan Schreiner, University of Tübingen
- … in Christianity: Prof. Dr. Dr. Thomas Schärtl-Trendel, University of Regensburg
- … in Islam: Prof. Dr. Nader el-Bizri, American University of Beirut
The conference took place in Erlangen from September 27 to 29, 2017.
Program
Report
Contents:
I. The concept of faith
1. Faith in Judaism (Prof. Dr. Susanne Talabardon, Otto Friedrich University Bamberg)
2. Faith in Christianity (Prof. em. Dr. Walter Sparn, FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg)
3. Faith in Islam (Prof. Ovamir Anjum, Ph.D., University of Toledo, USA)
4. Final discussion
II. The concept of truth
1. The concept of truth in Judaism (Sen. Prof. Dr. Stefan Schreiner, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen)
2. The concept of truth in Christianity (Prof. Dr. Dr. Thomas Schärtl-Trendel, University of Regensburg)
3. The concept of truth in Islam (Prof. Dr. Nader el-Beziri, American University of Beirut)
4. Final discussion
Volume 'Concept of Faith'
This volume examines the concept of “faith” in the three monotheistic traditions—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—through close readings of sacred texts, theological reflection, and historical development. While the Hebrew term emuna, the Greek pistis, and the Arabic iman differ in their semantic nuances and theological usage, they all express a fundamental human disposition of trust, devotion, and orientation toward the divine.
The Jewish tradition emphasizes emuna as steadfastness and reliability in covenant, deeply embedded in collective memory and liturgical practice. Christian theology understands pistis as both personal trust in Christ and assent to revealed truth, shaped by dogmatic traditions and ecclesiastical interpretation. In Islam, iman is a multi-layered concept that combines inner conviction, verbal confession, and righteous action. Together, the three contributions show that faith functions not merely as belief, but as an embodied, lived, and ethically charged dimension of religious life. The volume offers critical insights into common structures and enduring differences, thus making a valuable contribution to interreligious understanding and theological discourse.
Edited by Catharina Rachik and Georges Tamer.
The Concept of Freedom and Justice
Lectures
The Concept of Freedom…
- … in Judaism: Prof. Dr. Kenneth Seeskin, Northwestern University, Evanston
- … in Christianity: Prof. Dr. Nico Vorster, North-West University, Potchefstroom
- … in Islam: Prof. Dr. Maha El-Kaisy Friemuth, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg
The Concept of Justice…
- … in Judaism: Prof. Dr. Aryeh Botwinick, Temple University, Philadelphia
- … in Christianity: Prof. Dr. Elisabeth Gräb-Schmidt, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen
- … in Islam: Prof. Dr. Mairaj Syed, University of California, Davis
The conference took place in Erlangen from May 10 to 12, 2017.
Program
Report
Contents:
I. The concept of freedom
1. The concept of freedom in Judaism (Prof. Dr. Kenneth Seeskin, Philip M. and Ethel Klutznick Professor of Jewish Civilization, Department of Philosophy Northwestern University, Evanston)
2. The concept of freedom in Christianity (Prof. Dr. Nico Vorster, Faculty of Theology North-West University, Potchefstroom)
3. The concept of freedom in Islam (Prof. Dr. Maha El-Kaisy Friemuth, Chair of Islamic Religious Studies with a Practical Focus, FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg)
II. The concept of justice
1. The concept of justice in Judaism (Prof. Dr. Aryeh Botwinick, Department of Political Studies, Temple University, Philadelphia)
2. The concept of justice in Christianity (Prof. Dr. Elisabeth Gräb-Schmidt, Faculty of Protestant Theology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen)
3. The concept of justice in Islam (Prof. Dr. Mairaj Syed, Department of Religious Studies, University of California, Davis)
Public panel discussion on the concepts of freedom and justice in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Volume 'Concept of Freedom'
The third volume in the series “Key Concepts in Interreligious Discourses” examines the roots of the concept of “freedom” in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, as well as its relevance today.
The idea of freedom in the sense of personal liberties—which include freedom of conscience, freedom of expression, and physical integrity—is a relatively new one and can in some respects conflict with religious beliefs. At the same time, freedom as an emancipatory force against external oppression and internal dependencies is deeply rooted in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. It remains a living concept in religious and non-religious communities and movements.
This volume presents the concept of freedom in its various aspects as anchored in the traditions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. It explores the similarities and differences between the three monotheistic religions as well as the diverse discourses on freedom within these three traditions. The book offers fundamental knowledge about the specific understanding of freedom in each of these traditions, their interdependencies, and their relationship to secular interpretations.
Edited by Georges Tamer and Ursula Männle.
Volume 'Concept of Justice'
The concept of justice is a fundamental pillar of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, and has a profound influence on their respective theological, ethical, and social perspectives. The pursuit of a just world is a central concern of these religions, with a particular emphasis on human responsibility, compassion, and mercy.
This book provides a comprehensive overview of the understanding of justice in each of the three religions and explains the similarities and differences between them. Each chapter provides perspectives on justice in the respective sacred scriptures, as well as key classical and traditional views on the topics of divine-human relations and social and political justice issues. In addition, modern interpretations are presented, including the tension between freedom and religious duties, as well as the responsibilities of individuals and within societies. Given the lack of literature on this topic, this book offers a rare and essential contribution to the understanding of justice in the context of monotheistic faiths.
Edited by Catharina Rachik and Georges Tamer.