Arab and Christian?: Christians in the Middle East

by Anton Wessels

Arab and Christians - this title expresses a certain ambivalence. It could mean Arab as opposed to Christian, as in the expression Moslem and Christian; or it could mean both Arab and Christian.
This book describes the positions and backgrounds of the various Christians in the Middle the Byzantine (Rum) Orthodox, the Syrian Orthodox and Maronites (Lebanon) and the Copts (Egypt) and the Armenians. The role of the Protestant mission, especially those of Britain and the United States, is discussed.
At the close of the book, the question will be asked whether the Christians still have a future in the Middle East. What will be the consequences of the phenomenon of islamic fundamentalism, for the relationship between Jews, Moslems and Christians? The purpose is finally to give insight into the decisive phase of history in which these Christians are now living, in which they face the challenge of "constructing a new paradigm" for a spiritual and political society or allowing themselves to be driven further from the world which is for millions "the house of islam" (dar al-islam), "either leading a type of ghetto existence or of being or becoming a true Arab church" (Jean Corbon).

Paperback

About the author

Anton Wessels is Professor Emeritus of Missiology and Religious Studies at VU University Amsterdam, where he taught for twenty-four years.