Even irenic interfaith dialogue served Christian apologetic strategy

Evidence

This explanation, which points inwards at Christians themselves and their own deficiencies as the explanation for their lack of success, and for the persistent deviation of Islam from the truth, is the mark of the new age. — R. W. Southern, Western Views of Islam in the Middle…, 467 (#complicates, via linked claim)

Tempels observed that a number of missionaries had feelings of despair seeing that many baptized Africans were growing indifferent to Christianity, while others were just leaving the Church altogether. In light of this failure, he proposed his method of dialogue with the Africans on deep existential issues and listening to the wisdom of African traditional religions. — Frans Dokman, Beyond Bantu Philosophy_…, 707 (#complicates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Early Christian apologetic dialogues aimed at silencing Muslims, not converting them; A casual interfaith conversation ignited the Cordovan martyr movement; Polemical literature served as in-group apologetics rather than inter-faith debate — Norman Daniel, Islam and the West, 1429 (+8 more)

Broader Connections

• An introspective self-critical turn marked a new era in Christian thought about Islam #complicates (0.78) — R. W. Southern, Western Views of Islam in the Middle…, 467
• Evangelization failure led Tempels to dialogue-based mission methods. #complicates (0.74) — Frans Dokman, Beyond Bantu Philosophy_…, 707