Theology and Creed in Sunni Islam

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-vii

   PDF

2. Introduction The Unthinkable

   • Jeffry R. Halverson

   Pages 1-11

3. The Doctrines of Sunni Theology

   • Jeffry R. Halverson

   Pages 13-31

4. The Demise of ’Ilm al-Kalam

   • Jeffry R. Halverson

   Pages 33-57

5. Between Theology and Creed

   • Jeffry R. Halverson

   Pages 59-81

6. The Guide through the Storm

   • Jeffry R. Halverson

   Pages 83-113

7. The Taliban and the Maturidite School

   • Jeffry R. Halverson

   Pages 115-125

8. The Promise of Ash’arite Semiotics

   • Jeffry R. Halverson

   Pages 127-141

9. Conclusion The Revival of Kalam?

   • Jeffry R. Halverson

   Pages 143-157

10. Back Matter

    Pages 159-188

    PDF

This book explores the correlation between anti-theological thought and the rise of Islamism in the twentieth century by examining Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood and the leadership of Umar al-Tilmisani (d. 1986).

• 20th century
• Islam
• Islamism
• semiotics
• Theodor Storm
• theology
• twentieth century

“Halverson’s book is first and foremost a critique of the antirationalist, creed-centered Athari theological school of thought and its arguable dominance within the Sunni theological debate since the fifteenth century. … The target audience is primarily students in religious studies already familiar with the basic Sunni doctrines.” (Emin Poljarevic, Religious Studies Review, Vol. 42 (2), June, 2016)

"Halverson provides an important contribution to understanding the intellectual potential of the legacy of kalam in the contemporary world as an alternative to the literalist creedalism that is at the core of contemporary militant extremism. His analysis gives attention to important but often ignored dimensions of contemporary Muslim life and thought."

- John O. Voll, professor of Islamic history and past associate director of the Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding at Georgetown University, USA.

"This is a well-written and interesting book. It deals with the role, or rather lack of role according to the author, of theology in the modern Islamic world, particularly in the thought of the radical Islamist movements and their leading thinkers, and is skeptical of the possibilities of a modern revival of theological thought. It is an important account of the topic and the topic itself is important. It should be used in courses on Islamic studies, theUS and the Middle East, and also in theology, as there is tremendous interest in this issue today."

- Oliver Leaman, Professor of Philosophy, University of Kentucky, USA.

Jeffry R. Halverson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at Coastal Carolina University, USA. He is a specialist in Islamic studies and the history of religions, focusing on the Middle East and North Africa.

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