Christianity in the Arab World

The Christian Arabs, organized in a variety of denominations, today constitute no more than a small minority in the predominantly Muslim Arab world. Yet historically they have enjoyed -- and continue to enjoy -- an importance out of all proportion to their numbers. With the wave of religious fundamentalism currently sweeping the Muslim world, there has been much speculation about their future. Such speculation, however, has hitherto failed to take account of the Christian-Arab historical record.In Christianity in the Arab World, the Crown Prince of Jordan gives an informative account of the origins of Christianity and its historical, organizational and doctrinal development, explaining the emergence of the Christian communities of the area and their special standing and contribution as non-Muslims who have historically co-existed with Muslims and shared in their civilization. The wealth of information this small book provides, and the lucidity with which it tackles the complexities of the historical and theological issues involved, make it essential reading for anyone seeking an all-round understanding of the subject.