Gifford Lecture Series with Professor Mona Siddiqui

20 - 29 September 2016 - Struggle, Suffering and Hope: Explorations in Islamic and Christian Traditions byProfessor Mona Siddiqui, OBE

Admission FREE Booking required using the links below.

This series of five lectures are structured so as to explore the theme of human struggle, suffering and hope in a comparative and interdisciplinary manner that analyses the writings of both Christian and western scholars alongside those of Muslim writers. This distinctive way of working has marked the style and approach to constructive theology in Professor Siddiqui’s most recent publications, opening up unique insights that afford the important work of contemporary comparative theology greater depth and import

Below is a brief proposal as to how the chapters will be shaped (subject to possible minor amendments). To reserve a place at any of the 2016 September Gifford Lectures please see the relevant links below: 

Tuesday 20 SeptChapter 1 - Theological & philosophical views of human struggleBOOK
Wednesday 21 SeptChapter 2 - God, Discipleship and experienceBOOK
Thursday 22 SeptChapter 3 - Purifying ReligionBOOK
Monday 26 SeptChapter 4 - Struggle and the communityBOOK
Thursday 29 SeptChapter 5 - Contemporary voices on struggle and lostnessBOOK

The overarching purpose of these lectures is to open up new literary, theological and philosophical ways of thinking about the theme of struggle through close consideration of the lives and works of significant figures drawn from the history of Christian and Islamic thought. We will consider how such figures dealt with personal struggle and conscience amidst the political and social realities of their times.

In view are the diverse perspectives these traditions afford upon the question of human spiritual struggle and the various challenges such experiences raise for religious faith. We are drawn to ask: Do our experiences of struggle and suffering, doubt and inward striving finally tell of spiritual ambition or spiritual emptiness, or both?

Venue: King's Conference Centre

Contact:

events@abdn.ac.uk

01224 273109