The project Reading the Qur'an and the Bible Together will involve five months of research in Beirut, Lebanon directed towards the composition of a Biblically minded study of the Qur'an. The resulting monograph will include (on the left hand pages) a standard translation of the Qur'an, and (on the right hand pages) a running discussion of the Qur'an's conversation with Biblical literature (not only the canonical Bible but also apocrypha, Mishnah/Talmud, Midrash,and early Christian - especially Eastern -- writings). The work will be directed towards a Christian audience (especially church leaders). The tone will be clear and comprehensible and extensive technical discussions will be avoided.

Reading the Qur'an and the Bible Together is meant to illuminate the manner in which the Qur'an alludes to Biblical traditions even as it develops a unique religious message. Accordingly it is not designed to uncovering some secret source of the Qur'an, or to making a theological argument about its value. Instead the project is designed to provide the church with a resource as it engages Muslims in positive religious dialogue. My residence in Beirut during the term of the project will help me to shape the project with full consciousness of current Muslim work on the Qur'an.