While many of us in the West describe our societies as 'multicultural', if we're honest with ourselves, we feel uncomfortable about engaging with the beliefs of people who adhere to a religion other than our own. However, exploring the religious beliefs of others is an effective way of facilitating both personal spiritual growth and societal understanding.
Philosopher Steven Colborne, a first-class BA (Hons) graduate and author of more than a dozen books in the philosophical theology genre, decided it would be conscientious to read the Qur'an in its entirety, despite his Christian background. What he discovered was a life-changing book more relatable than he had ever imagined.
Discovering the Qur'an grew out of the notes Colborne made when reading the Qur'an from cover to cover for the first time. The author found various areas of resonance and dissonance with the orthodox Christian beliefs he has spent much of his adult life engaging with, and in the book Colborne discusses subjects including God's sovereignty, the oneness of God, the person of Jesus Christ, divine judgement, and others, with reference to both the Bible and the Qur'an.
Though only a short read, Discovering the Qur'an serves as an excellent introduction both to the Muslim sacred Scriptures and to the many areas of interfaith dialogue that might be furthered between Christianity and Islam.
About the author
Steven Colborne is the author of more than a dozen books in the philosophical theology genre. His work offers deep insights into all of the big problems of philosophy and theology, with a focus on the divine sovereignty versus human free will predicament, especially (but not only) as it relates to the Christian worldview.
Steven is a first-class BA (Hons) graduate of the University of Westminster and holds a PG Cert in Philosophy and Religion from Heythrop College, University of London. He was born in Cambridge, grew up in Abingdon in Oxfordshire, and currently lives in London, England. The son of an English father and a Dutch mother, Steven has had a remarkable spiritual journey which has involved immersive explorations of both Eastern and Western spirituality, as well as several spells in psychiatric hospital following episodes of psychosis.
Among other books, Steven’s catalogue of releases includes a compilation of academic essays (A Collection of Essays by Steven Colborne), a collection of prayers, poems, discourses and dialogues (The God Articles) and a systematic presentation of his philosophical perspective (God’s Grand Game: Divine Sovereignty and the Cosmic Playground). As well as being a prolific author, Steven also runs the popular philosophy blog Perfect Chaos, where he has written over 500 articles for an audience of over 6000 subscribers from more than 200 different countries.
