Spirit, Word and Love: Insights of Pietro Rossano towards a Mystical Theology of the Christian-Muslim Dialogue
Felix Körner
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Rossano and Ebner work in the so-called continental tradition of thought; for many English-speaking readers, that approach is foreign. You should explain better how this approach works: select key concepts are being proposed by simply and suggestively mentioning them; e.g. "love" or "word".
Author Response
Rossano and Ebner work in the so-called continental tradition of thought. Indeed, we must understand the main concepts of "love" and "word" by considering three particular cultural backgrounds. The one linked to the Bible, where the concept of "word" is very particular and coincides with "action". Secondly, the dialogic thinking that developed at the beginning of the twentieth century and of which Ebner is one of the protagonists. Finally, the philosophy of language (Wittgenstein) which focused on logic and words. As regards the concept of "love", it must be understood in particular starting from the conception of the Bible and Christianity.
Reviewer 2 Report
I recommend the author or authors to shorten the title and have no more than 2 short sentences. Maybe delete Spirit, Word and Love from it. Also, include a brief history of major promoters of Christian and Muslim interfaith dialogues, especially Louis Massignon and the likes Herbert Mason, Thomas Merton, Br. Charles de Foucauld. Or in the context of Hispanic studies, the works of Miguel Asin Palacios, Luce Lopez-Baralt, and Mario Satz. For mystical theologies on dialogue, use more writings by Martin Buber, Raimon Panikkar, and other members of the personalist school. Who are the current inheritors and promoters of this dialogue today within the Catholic Church and in Islam? A short overview of the major players in today's world will make this article more up-to-date, following Pietro Rossano's legacy. Maybe you can have a look at the following number of sources found in this website link (https://www.usccb.org/committees/ecumenical-interreligious-affairs/interreligious-documents-and-news-releases#tab--islam):
RESOURCES
Resources for Understanding Islam
Dialogue with Muslims, Statement of the Committee for Ecumenical and InterreligiousAffairs 2014
Understanding Islam: A Guide for Catholic Educators, Document of the 2013 Mid-Atlantic Catholic-Muslim Dialogue
An Introduction: The Islamic Tradition, by John L. Esposito
Vatican Council and Papal Statements on Islam
Catholic-Muslim Relations in the United States, by John Borelli, Ph.D.
What Dialogue Means for Catholics and Muslims, by Archbishop Alexander J. Brunett
How an Islamic Leader Views Dialogue, by Muzammil Siddiqi
How Mary Holds Christians and Muslims in Conversation, by Cardinal William Keeler
The Pillars of Islamic Faith: What We Should Know and Why, by David B. Burrell
Condolence letter from Cardinal George on the Death of Imam Warith Deen Mohammed
What Catholics Should Know About Islam, by Sandra Toenies Keating, Ph.D.
Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Center for Christian-Muslim Understanding, Georgetown University
A Common Word Between Us and You (2007): An open letter from a group of 138 leading Muslim scholars to Christian leaders calling for peace and understanding between religions. The USCCB’s official response to "A Common Word Between Us and You"
In India, the editor of Salaam the Jesuit Fr. Victor Edwin has spent decades working with Muslims to promote interfaith dialogues and peace.
Author Response
I accept the suggestion of a shorter title, but leaving "Spirit, Word and Love" and with a more essential subtitle:
Spirit, word and love.
Insights of Pietro Rossano towards a Mystical Theology of the Christian-Muslim Dialogue.
The suggestion to also mention other protagonists of Islamic-Christian dialogue is good, but the article focuses on Pietro Rossano and it is not necessary to recall other stories every time.
The bibliography can certainly be increased, but if the text must not exceed a certain length it is correct to respect it.
