Interfaith Relations
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Tools for Understanding

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) makes available through the Interfaith Relations Office a variety of resources that may be helpful to you in thinking about interfaith engagement, or in starting to build bridges between faith communities.

 
     
 
 

Brochures

Based on General Assembly statements and recommendations
 
     
   
 
 

Study Resources and Books (by topic)

Christian-Buddhist Relations

Christians Learning About Buddhist Neighbors
Basic information about Buddhists, with a Christian reflection on Christian faith in the light of Theravada Buddhism. $1.50. Order PDS #742920106.

Christian-Jewish Relations

Development and Peace Alternatives
Out of national conversations between the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the Reform, Conservative and Reconstructionist movements of the American Jewish community, came interest in identifying ways that members of our communities might work together in building the conditions for peace for our Israeli and Palestinian sisters and brothers.  One result of this conversation is a list of organizations and projects to consider supporting, visiting or exploring together.  Access the list of Development and Peace Alternatives here.

Christians and the Holocaust
Resources from the NCCCUSA for reflection, worship, and study, for use at Yom haShoah (Holocaust Memorial Day) or other times. Call (212) 870-2560 to order.

Toward a Theological Understanding of the Relationship Between Christians and Jews
This document was commended to the church for study by the 199th General Assembly (1987).

Israel in the Theology of Calvin – Towards a New Approach to the Old Testament and Judaism
Distinctive Reformed Christian understanding, with study questions.

Open Doors, Open Minds
A resource prepared by the Union for Reform Judaism for Christian and Jewish congregations to use for joint study and discussion.  Presbyterians will find additional help for such a study in the Presbyterian Supplement created as a companion piece.

Presbyterian Supplement

Open Doors, Open Minds II
This is the second in this series of resources, designed for study together by Presbyterian and Jewish congregations. This study focuses on a number of specific ethical issues, and the basis for moral decision making in our traditions.

Thinking and Working Together: Study and Action Suggestions for Jewish and Christian Congregations
This 1993 guide, created by the PC(USA) and the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (now the Union for Reform Judaism), offers a number of plans for congregations wanting to study or engage in a project together, together with resources and guidelines for conversation on Middle East issues.

Reflections from a Christian-Jewish Journey to Israel/Palestine, Spetember, 2005
From September 18-22, 16 Jewish and Christian staff from the United States traveled together to Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Ramallah.

Israeli-Palestinian Peace: Action of the 217th General Assembly

Perspective on a Presbyterian “Messianic” New Church Development in Philadelphia
In March, 2003, a new Presbyterian congregation began its ministry in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Its name is Avodat Yisrael, and it wants to be known as a "Messianic" congregation (a congregation inviting those of Jewish background to explore Christian faith while maintaining Jewish religious and cultural practices) within the Presbyterian family. Read this report.

Resolution On All Forms of Anti-Semitism
A resolution passed by the 202nd General Assembly (1990).

A Call for Vigilance Against Anti-Jewish Bias
This document, prepared by the Interfaith Relations Office of the PC(USA), describes some of the issues and the caution Presbyterians can exercise in response.

Christian-Muslim Relations

Strengthening America: the Civic and Political Integration of American Muslims
A resource from the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.

An interfaith study tour in Egypt
From November 5-15, Interfaith Relations Coordinator Jay Rock was a member of a delegation of Muslims, Jews and Christians who visited Cairo and Alexandria to build relationships and learn about Egyptian culture and issues. Read his trip report.

Abraham and Ibrahim: the Bible and the Qur'an Told to Children
Written by Francien van Overbeeke-Rippen with a study guide by Kenneth and Margaret Thomas. $18.95. Order PDS #157153072X.

Who is Jesus in Islam?
Muslim views about Jesus examined by a Christian, with reflections. $0.75. Order PDS #24391016.

Striving Together in Dialogue: A Muslim-Christian Call to Reflection and Action
Growing out of an ongoing international dialogue, deals with the dynamics of the relationship as a basis for new thinking and action. $1.00. Order PDS #7429201005.

Christians and Muslims in Dialogue: Facets of a Relationship
Description of activities of Presbyterians in the U.S., fundamentals of Islam, and recommended steps for beginning relationship. $1.50. Order PDS #74-292-02-001.

God is One: The Way of Islam
Written by R. Marston Speight. A well-received introduction to Islam by a Christian long related to Muslims, with an afterword and group study guide. Call (800) 889-5733 to order.

Islam and Christianity
A study for youth and young adults from PC(USA)'s "We Believe" curriculum series. $8.99. Order PDS #613600.

A Study on Islam
The 199th General Assembly adopted this document in 1987. It contains helpful perspectives on Islam and Presbyterian-Muslim relations.

 
     
   
 
 

General Resources on Interfaith Relations

Reuniting the Children of Abraham
Provides the tools for one way of bringing Christians, Muslim and Jews together, based on an extraordinary initiative among teens in the metro-Detroit area. Read more.

A Call to Our Guiding Institutions
From the 1999 Parliament of the World’s Religions. Read more about how to download this resource.

Building Community Among Strangers
Adopted by the 211th General Assembly (1999).  The report and Study Guide are available from the Presbyterian Distribution Service. Call (800) 524-2612 or order online. Order PDS #OGA99028.

Is the Christian Faith Superior to Other Religions? And Christian Faith and Other Faiths: the Tension between Dialogue and Evangelism
Issues of evangelism viewed, respectively, from an evangelical and a mission perspective. Read "Is the Christian Faith Superior to Other Religions?" or order PDS #7429297001.

"The Passion of the Christ"

Resources on the Mel Gibson film from Presbyterians Today. This guide is written especially for Presbyterians by Presbyterian minister and film reviewer Edward McNulty. The study guide includes questions for reflection/discussion, suggestions for discussion leaders, positive and negative attributes of the film, and other recommended "Jesus" films.

Prayers for Israeli-Palestinian peace

Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders of the National Interreligious Leadership Initiative for Peace in the Middle East offer six prayers for community use. Download the prayers in an easy-to-duplicate format.This is an Adobe Acrobat pdf document.

Presbyterian Church in the U.S., A Study of Universalism. 112th General Assembly (1972)

Study concerning both universal and limiting strands of biblical and theological understandings.

Return to the Earth

The Return to the Earth project supports Native Americans in burying unidentifiable ancestral remains now scattered across the United States and enables a process of education and reconciliation between Native and Non-Native peoples. The recent 217th General Assembly encouraged congregations to participate in this program. A study guide, including ideas for getting involved, is now available. Download the guide or call the Mennonite Central Committee at (888) 563-4676 to order.

Interfaith Listening Program (DVD/Resources)
DVD tells the story of the Interfaith Listening Program in brief. The resource also includes a section of an earlier video on Interfaith Listening plus a variety of resources that may help you begin, continue, or expand your interfaith involvements. Length: 8 ½ minute DVD. Learn more and watch video clips on the Interfaith Listening Program Web site.

Interfaith Marriage: A Resource by Presbyterian Christians
Description of activities of Presbyterians in the U.S., fundamentals of Islam, and recommended steps for beginning relationship. Read the text online or order PDS #7429297008.

Interfaith Relations and the Churches

The policy statement of the National Council of Churches of Christ articulates an understanding of building relations with neighbors of other faiths as a dimension of Christian discipleship.  A study guide is available. An abbreviated bulletin insert based on this statement is also available.

Interfaith Relations and Christian Living: Study and Action Suggestions
Study guide from the NCCCUSA for policy statement, with guidelines for an interfaith visit. Call (212) 870-2560 to order.

My Neighbour's Faith — And Mine
Reflection for individual/group study on themes such as creation, salvation, and scripture, from World Council of Churches. Call (800) 944-6190 to order. ISBN 9782825408698.

Not Without My Neighbor
Written by Wesley Ariarajah. Consideration of issues that have arisen over years of WCC work in interfaith relations, viewed personally by a long-time participant. Call (800) 944-6190 to order. ISBN 9782825413081.

The Nearest in Affection by Stuart Brown
Issues in Christian-Muslim relations from a former WCC staff person. Call (800) 944-6190 to order. ISBN 9782825409701.

Living With The Sacred Religions of Africa
African voices are pre-dominant in this resource.  Most of the articles are extracted from existing publications that are minimally available to North American readers. $3.00. Order PDS #7429294901.

Respectful Presence: an Understanding of Interfaith Prayer and Celebration from a Reformed Christian Perspective

This document, from the 209th General Assembly (1997), is available with a study guide and as a stand-alone document.

Respectful Presence (document only)

Respectful Presence (with Congregational Study Guide)

Seven Friends Seven Faiths:  Looking at Celebration of Different Faiths by Martha Bettis Gee
Story book from the United Methodist Church with photo cubes tells of children of different faiths and how they celebrate their faith. Call (800) 305-9857 to order.

Guiding Principles for Ethical Decisions Concerning Religious Freedom Around the World

(adopted in 2002)

Diversity and Community
A statement about constructively entering into engagement with the religious diversity of the U.S., adopted by the leaders of Religions for Peace USA.

 
     
   
 
 

Ecudialogue: the Interfaith Relations newsletter

Fall 2006
Spring 2006
Fall 2005
Spring 2005
Fall 2004
Summer 2004

 
     
   
  For additional resources, please see our Links of Interest.  
             
 
 

Items marked with are Adobe Acrobat PDF documents. For best results, right-click the link (or click and hold for Macintosh), select "save target as" and save the document to your desktop for viewing and printing.

 
             
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