Book Review: Book Reviews:

Prayer: Christian and Muslim Perspectives. Edited by David Marshall and Lucinda Mosher. A record of the tenth Building Bridges Seminar, convened by the Archbishop of Canterbury at Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service in Qatar, May 17-19, 2011. Washington, D.C.: Georgetown University Press, 2013. 228 pp. $26.95 (paper).Death, Resurrection, and Human Destiny: Christian and Muslim Perspectives. Edited by David Marshall and Lucinda Mosher. A record of the eleventh Building Bridges Seminar, convened by the Archbishop of Canterbury at King's College, London and Canterbury Cathedral, April 23-25, 2012. Washington, D.C.: Georgetown University Press, 2014. 312 pp. $26.95 (paper).Sin, Forgiveness, and Reconciliation: Christian and Muslim Perspectives. Edited by Lucinda Mosher and David Marshall. A record of the thirteenth Building Bridges Seminar hosted by Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., April 27-30, 2014. Washington, D.C.: Georgetown University Press, 2016.176 pp. $26.95 (paper).These volumes represent the latest in a series published by Georgetown University Press documenting the Building Bridges Seminars conducted by the Anglican Church and its partners. The seminars were initiated in January 2002 by George Carey, Archbishop of Canterbury from 1991 to 2002, and continued under the direction of Rowan Williams, who was Archbishop of Canterbury from 2002 until 2012. The topics covered in these seminars range from discussions about sacred texts, prophecy, theological anthropology, secularism, modernity, the role of religion in society, justice, human rights, the common good, and the dialogue between religion and science. They were hosted by Christian and Muslim centers or universities across the globe.This review addresses the Building Bridges Seminars held in 2011, 2012, and 2014, which were devoted to the topics of prayer, eschatology, and sin. The books reflect the organization of the two-day seminar, with the first day consisting of public presentations and the second day of in-depth discussions among the scholars. Thus part one of the text begins with Muslim and Christian theological surveys on the topic with responses by alternate scholars. The second day's material consists of scriptural texts and commentaries, along with the writings of important figures from each faith tradition. Additionally, some seminars offered essays about faith practices, pastoral ministry, and personal reflections about the topics. Each text includes an introduction and conclusion by editors David Marshall and Lucinda Mosher, and most of the volumes also include a preface and afterword by the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams. These insightful pieces serve as a guide through the texts because they surface critical questions and key points explored by the dialogues.Prayer: Christian and Muslim PerspectivesThis volume begins with contributions about the theology of prayer and then moves to descriptions of various forms of prayer, the relationship between formal ritual and private devotional prayer, and the formative dimensions of prayer. Michael Plekon begins by stating that for Christians "the point of prayer is love-God's limitless, forgiving, wildly compassionate love," and as our response to God's love and compassion for us "prayer always opens us up to God, to ourselves, and to others" (p. 5). Prayer is not an escape but an encounter with God that is the origin of a life of prayer and service. Accordingly we do not "say prayers," but live them. From the Muslim perspective, Reza Shah-Kazemi says that prayer is an expression of gratitude, for the essence of prayer is remembrance of God's infinite mercy. And as the Prophet taught, such purity and devotion in prayer becomes a source of blessing to all.The first day lectures include two provocative pieces: Muslim scholar Caner Dagli reflects on Christian prayer and Christian scholar Daniel Madigan writes about Muslim prayer. Dagli's essay draws some interesting parallels between the Christian definition of sacrament and Islamic worship. …