Ecumenical Jihad: Ecumenism and the Culture War

By Peter Kreeft

Book Overview

Juxtaposing "ecumenism" and "jihad," two words that many would consider strange and at odds with one another, Peter Kreeft argues that we need to change our current categories and alignments. We need... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0898705797
• ISBN13: 9780898705799
• Release Date: January 1996
• Publisher: Ignatius Pr
• Length: 172 Pages
• Weight: 0.54 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.3" x 0.8" x 5.5"

Customer Reviews

Uncompromisingly Ecumenical

Peter Kreeft is a succinct and insightful teacher and author. He is also prophetic. In 'Ecumenical Jihad' he binds and discusses the commonalities of faith and culture that exist between Muslims and Christians, Christians and Confucius, and Protestants and Catholics. He shows Christians how they build an affinity and understanding from other religions without compromising their own beliefs. His great desire and goal is not only to build an understanding but also an alliance. It is amazing that this book was written five years before 9/11. In his text, he looks to the devil and secularism as the enemy. To live through the moral squalor and decay of current Western Civilization is the ailment whose remedy is to embrace faith in all its consequences with people of other creeds. He cites historical evidence that parallels our own predicament and offers an interesting solution: sainthood and martyrdom. (I guess both are the antecedent to uncompromising faith.) While some may find his exegesis to be that of an intellectual "Henny Penny," one can't argue too strongly after the ramifications of 9/11 that he was right all along. Uncompromising, unflinching, sometimes infuriating, Peter Kreeft brings it all back home with an alchemy that is well backed by articulate scholarship.

The Truth will set us Free...

This book follows the leading inspiration of our Holy Father Pope John Paul II's interreligious dialogue to a fuller peaceful understanding between major religions around the world. "In non-essentials diversity, in the essentials unity, and in all things charity." (St. Augustine)

waging the culture war

The "jihad" in the title is somewhat jarring at first, especially today when Islamic fundamentalism and its physical form of holy war are at the fore of discussion and concern. And yet its deeper meaning to Kreeft's argument soon becomes clear. Jihad--an inner pursuit of truth and the outward performance of holy deeds--is pursued by people of all faiths, if not by that name. Surely some common ground must exist.Kreeft does not advocate surrendering principles; most believers simply are not going to do so. Catholics are not going to abandon the real presence in the Eucharist; Protestants will continue to reject the infallibility of the Pope. Muslims won't abandon Mohammed. Jews are not likely to accept Christ as Messiah. But yet there remain good reasons for these faiths to unite--in an alliance, while retaining their beliefs--against the common enemy that destroys our culture, that consumes decency and morality and faith, that kills the unborn.No, this is not a book for the weak of heart or mind (or most liberals). Kreeft pulls no punches, and isn't afraid to call a spade a spade, to say things that will no doubt garner him the "fundamentalist" or "fanatic" or "extremist" label. But this, at root, is a work of hope, of a cautious optimism, of facing adversity with a smile. With the smile of assurance only faith can offer.

KREEFT AT HIS BEST

This book is a must-read for anyone who is seriously concerned about the current state of our culture. As usual, he argues that the problems we face are not political and economic but moral, intellectual, and spiritual. He calls for all men and women of good will--regardless of religious/cultural background--to put aside their traditional hostility and unite to save the world from moral relativism and spiritual decay.

An Excellent Wake-Up Call

Generally speaking, I'm not one for polemic language or rallying war-cries, but Peter Kreeft's "Ecumentical Jihad" is the exception (and quite infectious so excuse my exuberance). This book is a wake-up call to the sleeping masses. It *must* be polemic in nature, because it *is* a war-cry. Through several chapters, Kreeft lays out the battlelines - good and evil, to be precise - as well as Christ's plan for triumph: Ecuminism. The message is as clear as it should be obvious: this is not the time to bicker amongst ourselves, but to fight the common enemy of evil. "Ecumential Jihad" is a book of bleak realism and divine hope. We have met the enemy, but he needn't be us.