Books by PAUL-GORDON CHANDLER:
SONGS IN WAITNG: Spiritual Reflections on Christ’s Birth,
A Celebration of Middle Eastern Canticles
PILGRIMS OF CHRIST ON
THE MUSLIM ROAD: Exploring a New Path Between Two Faiths
GOD’S GLOBAL MOSAIC:
What We Can Learn From Christians Around The World
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SONGS IN WAITING:
Spiritual Reflections on Christ’s Birth
A Celebration of Middle Eastern Canticles
Paul-Gordon Chandler |
Inspiring reflection
and a sense of wonder along the faith journey toward celebrating
Christ’s birth, Paul-Gordon Chandler’s Songs in Waiting is a
book of spiritual meditations for the Advent season on the
ancient Middle Eastern songs sung around the birth of Jesus: the
Song of Mary – traditionally called “The Magnificat,” the Song
of Zecharias, “The Benedictus,” the Song of the Angels to the
Shepherds, “The Gloria,” and the Song of Simeon, “The Nunc
Dimittis.”
These four songs, full
of hope, mystery and divine purpose, have played an important
role in Christian worship within the last two millennia,
inspiring the work of artists and musicians over the centuries.
Capturing the essence of these songs, the inspirational
paintings of well-known artist Daniel Bonnell are beautifully
woven throughout. Grounded in the original context of their
Middle Eastern cultural settings, Songs in Waiting draws from
the Arts, visual and literary, breathing new life into the
scenes surrounding these Biblical songs and Christ’s coming anew
celebrated during the Advent season.
ENDORSEMENT for Songs in Waiting from Dr. Rowan Williams,
Archbishop of Canterbury
“Incarnation is about something local and particular. It is not
a general principle about how God acts, but an affirmation that
God has acted in a specific time and place – that God has spoken
a particular language, met particular people, eaten particular
food. This very moving little book brings home that
particularity, reminding us about the actual realities of the
Middle East at the time of Jesus – and then shows how that
once-and-for-all incarnation opens up new insights not only
about God’s involvement with the Middle East now, but about
God’s involvement with us all as we try to make the gift of
Jesus real for ourselves and our human neighbors today.”
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PILGRIMS OF CHRIST ON THE MUSLIM ROAD
Exploring a New Path Between
Two Faiths
Paul-Gordon Chandler |
Today's tensions between the "Islamic" East and the "Christian"
West run high. Here Paul-Gordon Chandler presents fresh thinking
in the area of Christian-Muslim relations, showing how Christ --
whom Islam reveres as a prophet and Christianity serves as Lord
-- can close the gap between the two religions. Historically,
Christians have taken a confrontational or missionary approach
toward Islam, leading many Muslims to identify Christianity with
the cultural prejudices and hegemonic ambitions of Westerners.
On the individual level, Christ-followers within Islam have
traditionally been encouraged by Christians to break away from
their Muslim communities. Chandler looks at how Christ can be
"naturalized" on the Muslim Road--at how "Christ walks the
Muslim Road"--addressing how a Muslim may follow Christ and
remain an active participant, albeit an insider, in his/her
Islamic culture as opposed to be ostracized from it. In this
regard, Chandler boldly explores how these two major religions
-- which share much common heritage -- can not only co-exist,
but also enrich each other. He illustrates his perspective with
examples from the life of Arab Syrian novelist Mazhar Mallouhi,
widely read in the Middle East. Mallouhi, a self-identified
"Sufi Muslim follower of Christ," seeks to bridge the chasm of
misunderstanding between Muslims and Christians through his
novels and life.
ENDORSEMENTS for
Pilgrims of Christ on the Muslim
Road: Exploring a New Path Between Two Faiths
Archbishop
Emeritus Desmond M. Tutu
“Events of recent years have
exacerbated mutual suspicion, fear and misunderstanding between
Christians and Muslims. Yet Jesus Christ set in motion a unity
that knows no boundaries; he broke all barriers. We must think
beyond the present walls of the church to move forward. The
issues dealt with in this timely book demonstrate God's divine
embrace, providing a bridge in the gap."
Philip
Yancey, author
"I consider this an important book.
What a life Mazhar Mallouhi has lived! He stands in an almost
singular position as a bridge between two worlds which, alas,
seem to be separated by an ever-increasing divide."
Philip
Jenkins,
distinguished Professor of History and Religious Studies,
Pennsylvania State University and author of GOD'S CONTINENT:
CHRISTIANITY, ISLAM, AND EUROPE'S RELIGIOUS CRISIS and
THE LOST HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY.
"Following Christ within Islam? As Paul-Gordon Chandler shows,
the idea is neither absurd nor impossible. In his timely,
refreshing and often surprising book, Chandler seeks to break
down the seemingly enormous barriers that divide Christians from
Muslims, and in the process offers a potent manifesto for waging
peace on Islam. I hope the book finds a very wide readership."
Eugene
Peterson,
author and Professor Emeritus of Spiritual Theology, Regent
College, Vancouver, BC
"That Christians and Muslims don't understand one another is an
understatement. Paul-Gordon Chandler knows both groups in detail
and first hand. He pushes the rubble of stereotypes to the
sidelines and in the cleared space tells the story of the
novelist Mazhar Mallouhi, well known in the Arab world.
Incredibly, understanding emerges. This book couldn't be more
timely."
Lord Carey,
103rd Archbishop of Canterbury
"An important and exciting introduction to Mazhar Mallouhi’s
life and teachings. I commend this book to all who wish to
understand Islam.”
Terry Waite,
CBE, former envoy for the Archbishop of Canterbury, hostage
negotiator, author
"This very timely book is a must for anyone who would wish to
understand Muslim/Christian dialogue. Mazhar Mallouhi has a
unique insight which has largely been gained through personal
suffering. He has much to teach us."
William
Dalrymple,
author (From the Holy Mountain, The Last Mughal) and
historian
"At a time when Islamaphobia has gripped many Western
Christians, Paul-Gordon shows what Christians and Muslims have
often been, and can today still be: in a 'clasp' rather than a
'clash' of civilizations. Never has a book like this been more
timely, or more necessary."
Brian
McLaren,
author/activist (brianmclaren.net)
“More and more of us are waking up to our calling to be
followers (or disciples) of Jesus, not simply adherents to a
form of the Christian religion. For disciples today, that
rediscovered identity is exciting, liberating, sometimes
disconcerting, unpredictable, barrier-bridging, and wild - just
as it was for the original disciples. Paul-Gordon's beautiful
new book introduces us to a living example of what this way of
life can look like in our contemporary world. Pilgrims of Christ
on the Muslim Road is inspiring, timely, potentially
controversial, and desperately needed”.
Archbishop
Elias Chacour,
Melkite Catholic Palestinian Archbishop of Galilee and the
Holy Land, Nobel Peace Prize nominee and author of Blood
Brothers
“Mazhar Mallouhi is a unique
example of courage and a determined witness for truth. His life
is among those of the first followers of Christ who risked their
lives for him and for the salvation of their people. What
Paul-Gordon Chandler has done with the writing of this book is a
strong and inspirational act of faith. They are birds of the
same feather and they fly together.”
Lamin
Sanneh, Professor of World Christianity and of History, Yale
University
"Pilgrims of Christ on the Muslim Road" presents the story of
the conversion of Mazhar Mallouhi, a Syrian, by exploring his
Arab Muslim background and his exile and travels in many
countries in North America and the Arab world. Mazhar's own
voice comes through in the interview section, which is the last
chapter of the book. Described as a man of letters and a child
of many cultures, Mazhar Mallouhi offers important insights on
Christianity among the Arabs as well as on issues of faith and
community. His story is an object lesson on the religious
principle in intercultural relations."
Rev. Colin
Chapman, Anglican priest, Islamicist and author of Whose
Promised Land and Cross and
Crescent
"At a time when the political stakes are so high in the
confrontation between some Muslims and the West, Christians
desperately need to find new ways of thinking about Muslims and
Islam. In this context, Mallouhi, a Syrian who describes himself
as 'a Muslim follower of Christ', and Chandler, an American
Christian, form a powerful and creative partnership. This book
therefore has a highly significant message about Christians
relating to Muslims all over the world today."
Luci Shaw,
author, poet and Writer-in-Residence, Regent College
"I was profoundly moved. This book is
unique in presenting the way of Christ through the lens of an
influential Muslim writer's life. Mazhar Mallouhi, a Syrian
Jesus-follower who remains within his Islamic culture,
exemplifies in his own life a startling model of God's forgiving
and embracing love. Though his life has been crowded with
difficulty and persecution, Mallouhi has influenced the lives of
tens of thousands through his books and his personal presence.
As well as presenting the many-colored quilt of diversity in
belief and practice among Muslims, Chandler shows us the God of
"irregularities" and surprises, who works transformatively
outside our established systems and strategies, bridging
cultural barriers to convince us of the wideness of his mercy."
Ralph
Winter, founding president, U.S. Center
for World Mission
"Don't be fooled. This is not a book primarily about Islam.
Rather it is a unique and surprising new way of looking at the
Biblical faith, rescuing it from centuries of human Christian
cultural and theological tradition, thus freeing it to become
highly attractive to Hindu, Buddhist, and, yes, Muslim seekers.
Moreover, it is superbly readable, employing as a "teaching
vehicle" the pilgrimage of a Middle Eastern Muslim who was first
attracted to Jesus by the concept of Christ in Hindu garments,
and has now for decades worn Muslim garments as a believer in
Jesus Christ. This book is truly significant for missiology on a
global level."
David Neff,
Editor and Vice President, Christianity
Today
“The stunning story of Mazhar Mallouhi
reminds us that God does not leave himself without a witness in
any culture, that seemingly impervious soil can bear spiritual
fruit, and that the Holy Spirit can do amazing things through
humble instruments. Anyone who thinks Islamic culture is a
spiritual wasteland simply must read Pilgrims of Christ on the
Muslim Road.”
Dr. Greg
Livingstone,
missiologist
“The subject of this book, Mazhar
Mallouhi, has been my primary mentor in the Arab World since
1968. This Syrian Muslim, my shepherd, has been more committed
to seeing me demonstrate Christ among Muslims than anyone else.
Perhaps hundreds of "Peacemakers" could echo my gratitude. This
book is a must read-though it won't tell the half.”
Brother
Andrew
“We urgently need a thousand more bold initiatives like this one
by Paul-Gordon Chandler. I wholeheartedly endorse this book. I
pray it will build a new much needed bridge…”
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GOD'S GLOBAL MOSAIC
What We Can Learn from Christians
Around the World
Paul-Gordon Chandler,
Forward by John Stott |
Christians around the world form a “divine mosaic” with each
piece of the mosaic being different cultural expression of
faith, contributing to a beautiful portrait of who God is. And
as we learn from these many cultural expressions of Christian
faith, our own faith can be made more complete.
Paul-Gordon Chandler highlights themes from each region and
tells inspirational stories, based on scriptural illustrations,
from Christians worldwide. As we see God through the eyes of
others, new windows of devotion, encouragement and growth open
before us, enabling us to see God afresh.
ENDORSEMENTS for
God’s Global Mosaic: What We Can
Learn from Christians Around the World
Dr.
Billy Graham
You will want to read the
interesting (sometimes surprising, often moving, many humorous)
stories and illustrations in Paul-Gordon Chandler’s book, God’s
Global Mosaic. It is my prayer that you will be blessed,
encouraged, and challenged as you read about your Christian
brothers and sisters in cultures vastly different from your own,
and yet all joined together in one family of God!
Lord Carey,
103rd Archbishop of Canterbury
My ministry over the last eight
years as Archbishop of Canterbury has shown me just how insular
we “first world” Christians can be. With his wonderful vision of
the global Church, Paul-Gordon Chandler has written a book that
brings its glorious diversity and riches to life. I warmly
commend it as an encouragement and a challenge to us all.
Richard E. Stearns,
President, World Vision
Churches with white steeples,
people arranged in orderly pews, choruses of “Rock of Ages” and
“Great is Thy Faithfulness” – this is often the limited view
Americans have of the Christian faith. In God’s Global Mosaic,
Paul-Gordon Chandler reveals a broader, richer and compelling
view of the Christian faith as a world-wide faith; a view that
speaks to the bigness of our God and the diversity of His
purposes for all the nations.
Tony Campolo Ph.D.,
author/activist and professor at
Eastern College
I really liked this book because
Paul-Gordon Chandler shows us mission work at its best. It is a
style of ministry that is marked by listening and learning from
indigenous Christians. It is about partnering with Christians
from around the world in the task of contextualizing the Gospel.
The Rev. Dr. Michael Green,
Former Advisor to the Archbishops of Canterbury and York
Having traveled widely… myself, I
was excited by this outstanding account, far more extensive than
my own experience. Chandler gives us brilliant personal insights
into the diversity of Christianity all over the world. We need
this book to enlarge our vision, stimulate our compassion and
enrich our understanding of the good news.
Dr. Wesley K. Stafford,
President, Compassion International
It is an unfortunate fact that the
culture we live in determines much of how we read the Bible and
even experience God. Fortunately, God’s Global Mosaic takes off
those cultural blinders and exposes us to the profound and
sometimes provocative perspectives of non-Western Christians.
Charles Colson, Founder,
Prison Fellowship International
Like Paul-Gordon Chandler, I have
traveled all around the globe, and have been blessed to worship
and serve God with believers of all stripes - - I have seen what
he describes. With its broad and insightful perspective, God’s
Global Mosaic will open your eyes to the fullness of our faith
and refresh your awe of our infinite God.
Dr. Eugene B. Habecker,
President, Taylor University
Paul-Gordon Chandler’s book is a
“must” read to understand how God is moving throughout the
world. I gave copies to all of our senior staff. I heartily
recommend it.
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