Medieval Christian praise of Muslims often promoted conversion theory.
Evidence
Yet when he describes the contents of the Koran, in the following chapters of his tract, he emphasizes the common points between Christian and Muslim doctrine. He is particularly interested in the Koran’s praise of Christ and the Virgin Mary; much more frequent, he says, than any praise of Machometus. This shows, he says, that Saracens in their hearts believe in the goodness of Jesus Christ, his doctrine and his Gospels, his Virgin mother, and that they are “close to the way of salvation.” The author goes on to describe what he sees as the main errors in their doctrine: the belief in carnal delights in heaven and the failure to believe in the Trinity, the Incarnation, and the divinity of Christ. Yet bringing the Saracens to the truth should not prove difficult: “By virtue of the simple word of God, without philosophical arguments or military weapons, they ask for baptism of Christ and cross over into the God’s sheep pen. This was said and written by one who through God has already baptized a good thousand. Amen.” … The anonymous author claims that converting Saracens to Christianity is easy and that he himself has baptized “a good thousand.” — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 1069 (
#expands, via linked claim)
I have heard a certain man, who is worthy of credence, say that he heard among the pagans and Saracens that there were three causes for their not wishing to be converted to the faith of Jesus Christ: firstly, the diversity and contradiction of opinion among Christians in various sects and on various subjects; secondly, the evil lives of the Christians; and thirdly, the ill-faith of the Christians, and especially of the Venetians and Genoese. — R. W. Southern, Western Views of Islam in the Middle…, 466 (
#expands, via linked claim)
Categorization
- XREF: connects to: Medieval Christian views of Islam mixed praise with condemnation. — Norman Daniel, Islam and the West, 1124; Some medieval Christians saw Muslims as near-conversion-ready believers close to salvation — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 1069; Medieval anti-Islamic polemics aimed to fortify Christians rather than convert Muslims (+2 more)
Related
- Some medieval Christians saw Muslims as near-conversion-ready believers close to salvation (similarity 0.91)
- Medieval Christians saw Islam as salvation by faith without works (similarity 0.86)
- Medieval thinkers blamed Christians’ own divisions and vices for Islam’s refusal to convert (similarity 0.85)
- Medieval Christian writers argued Islam was nearly convertible by preaching, not war (similarity 0.84)
- Medieval Christian views of Islam mixed praise with condemnation. (similarity 0.83)
- Medieval Christian distaste, not ignorance, distorted portrayals of Islam (similarity 0.82)
- Medieval Christians interpreted Muslim ritual through Christian sacramental categories (similarity 0.81)
- Medieval Christians debated conversion by preaching versus military conquest (similarity 0.80)
- A 1273 Christian text argued Muslims could be converted by preaching, not war. (similarity 0.80)
- Even learned medieval polemicists had to correct the pagan view of Saracens. (similarity 0.80)
- Medieval Christians read Muslim military success as divine judgment favoring Islam (similarity 0.79)
- Medieval Christians understood Islam through preexisting biblical categories rather than direct encounter (similarity 0.79)
- Medieval Christian missionaries reconceived Muslim doctrines as partial truths to bridge toward conversion (similarity 0.78)
- Medieval Christians saw Muslims as stubbornly resistant to conversion (similarity 0.78)
- Medieval anti-Islamic polemics aimed to fortify Christians rather than convert Muslims (similarity 0.78)
Broader Connections
- Some medieval Christians saw Muslims as near-conversion-ready believers close to salvation
#expands(0.85) — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 1069 - Medieval anti-Islamic polemics aimed to fortify Christians rather than convert Muslims
#complicates(0.80) - Medieval thinkers blamed Christians’ own divisions and vices for Islam’s refusal to convert
#expands(0.80) — R. W. Southern, Western Views of Islam in the Middle…, 466 - Medieval Christians understood Muslims as revering biblical prophets and Jesus
#expands(0.75) — Norman Daniel, Islam and the West, 126