Jesus of Arabia

January 8, 2018
Thompson, an Anglican priest living in Abu Dhabi, draws on over 20 years working in the Middle East to de-Westernize Gospel stories in this accessible book of clarifications. Intrigued by aspects of Gulf Arab culture that reminded him of the world portrayed in the New Testament, Thompson decided to dig into the ways Gospel stories have been distorted over time and across cultures: “I want to retrieve the Jesus of history who through accident of modern imperialism and colonialism has become infused with a Western identity.” Thompson weaves together reflections on such topics as camels, seating dilemmas in the majlis (meeting room), the dangers of ancient pearl diving, and the differences between English and Middle Eastern sheepherding. Acknowledging frankly the speculative quality of this cross-cultural approach, Thompson also provides suggestions for future exploration and encourages efforts towards Muslim-Christian religious dialogue. Thompson’s gentle, earnest faith is evident throughout, as are his respect for the Muslim religion and his love for the Gulf region and its peoples. Though this impressionistic, wide-ranging account contains some vague premises and poorly expressed arguments, it offers engaging perspectives on Gospel stories that are rarely considered by Western readers.

February 1, 2018
Anglican clergyman Thompson knows Arabian culture from decades spent in the Persian Gulf region. Pointing out that Islam reveres Jesus as a great prophet, Thompson proceeds to many aspects of Jesus' teaching that Arabs understand more readily than non-Arabs, such asand this will surprise most Westernerswhy Jesus likens himself to a shepherd, which has to do with different ways of shepherding in the Middle East and the West. Thompson discusses particular images, concepts, and poetic structures Jesus used to connect with his original hearers, relating them to four large, overlapping themes of Arabic culture, then and now, namely, The Family, Honor, and Hospitality; Religion; Women; and Language. Although conceived and first published (in Abu Dhabi) to encourage understanding and rapport among Muslim and Christian Arabs, Thompson's treatise is so ingratiating that anyone seeking to understand Jesus better may cherish it. Appendixes on the supposed corruption of Gospel texts, Muslim views of the Crucifixion and Jesus' divinity, and The Bible on Arabs and Arabia add value.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)