Interfaiths: How to Read the Quran

In "How to Read the Qur'an," Carl W. Ernst provides a scholarly framework for understanding the text through a literary and historical lens, rather than a purely theological one. He addresses the significant cultural barriers and modern anxieties that often prevent non-Muslim readers from engaging with the book in a fair-minded way. By advocating for a chronological reading, Ernst allows the audience to see how the scripture developed over time in dialogue with its original listeners, moving from the poetic Meccan suras to the more legalistic Medinan ones. The work highlights the intertextuality between the Qur’an and earlier biblical traditions, framing it as an integral part of a shared global heritage. Ultimately, Ernst argues that examining the text’s internal structure and historical context can bridge the gap between outside academic study and traditional religious interpretations. For more information about Interfaiths, please visit us at The East-West Foundation http://theeastwestfoundation.org/