For de tørster nemlig uophørligt efter de kristnes blod

For de tørster nemlig uophørligt efter de kristnes blod

By Kurt Villads Jensen

Book Description

This scholarly exploration delves into one of history's most complex spiritual encounters: the medieval Christian response to the rise of Islam. Drawing from twenty-five years of dedicated research, Kurt Villads Jensen illuminates how Christians grappled with a faith that challenged their fundamental beliefs while simultaneously surpassing them in military conquest and scientific advancement.

The book reveals how medieval Christians wrestled with profound theological questions when confronted by Islam's assertion that Jesus was not divine. This spiritual crisis sparked intense reactions ranging from bitter theological debates and defamatory writings about Muhammad to the launch of crusades and dreams of martyrdom. Yet the Christian response was far more nuanced than simple opposition, encompassing serious missionary efforts, scholarly study of the Quran by Christian monks, and deep fascination with Islamic civilization.

Jensen demonstrates how these medieval encounters created lasting perceptions of Islam that continue to influence our modern world. The work includes the author's own translations of crucial medieval sources, making these historical voices accessible to Danish readers for the first time.

For those interested in understanding how spiritual communities respond to theological challenges and cultural encounters, this book offers valuable insights into the complex dynamics of interfaith relations. It shows how fear, fascination, scholarly inquiry, and religious conviction intertwined to shape centuries of Christian-Islamic interaction, creating patterns that echo through history to our present day.

Who Is This For?

📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~8 hours)

📄 Length: 292 pages

What You'll Discover

  • ✓ Explore History and criticism
  • ✓ Explore Christianity and other religions
  • ✓ Explore Christian literature
  • ✓ Explore Medieval Literature
  • ✓ Explore Controversial literature
  • ✓ Explore Church history
  • ✓ Explore Relations
  • ✓ Explore Christianity

Topics Covered

History and criticism Christianity and other religions Christian literature Medieval Literature Controversial literature Church history Relations Christianity Islam History Crusades

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