G. Schwarb | Akateeminen Kirjakauppa

The present volume comprises substantially revised and enlarged versions
of papers read at a conference convened in June 2010 by the ERC-Project
at the German Orient-Institut in Istanbul. Under the title “Theological
Rationalism in Medieval Islam: New Texts and Perspectives”, a group of
leading international scholars was invited to introduce important new
kalam-texts that have not been the subject of previous studies or
to explore new trajectories in studying known key-texts. While most
contributions combine both aspects, they are divided into two groups
according to the predominating aspect. The first four contributions
introduce hitherto unknown or unexplored texts and assess how these can
modify and expand our understanding of kalam. The second group of
contributions applies novel methodologies in order to identify and
interpret historical and conceptual transformations that occurred within
kalam or resulted from its interaction with other disciplines.
The question whether God can delay the elucidation of vague or unclear
statements raises a number of thorny theological questions. It is hoped
that the results of these presentations will have an impact beyond their
subject matter in that their novel approaches will find their place in
the methodological toolbox of kalam scholarship, thus stimulating
work that will further expand our knowledge of Muslim kalam.