Recorded Christian-Muslim disputations rarely prove genuine learned exchange occurred

Evidence

It must be admitted that my opinion here does not exactly coincide with San Pedro’s own statements, and at the same time I should be wrong to suggest that he was a liar or anything like it. See the account described in chapter V, note 78, however; a reference to a discussion with learned Muslims never shows unequivocally (a) that these were really learned men; and (6) that there was real communication and serious discussion. There are many reasons why Christians may have been unable to distinguish under (a) or have been deluded under (6). — Norman Daniel, Islam and the West, 2413