The Biblical Qur’an: A Christian Investigation

by Michael Healy, Jr.

Can Christians interpret the Qur’an Christocentricly, as we have always done with the Old Testament? How would such a reading of the Qur’an modify our understanding of Christian and Muslim history? Can it be that the challenge of Islam has played a positive role in God’s plan for the Christian People? These are among the questions this book seeks to answer.

Paperback: $29.95 | Kindle $9.99

TESTIMONIALS

“The Biblical Qur’an is a sincere and thoughtful theological reading of Islamic scripture. Michael Healy Jr. seeks out what is beautiful and true in the Qur’an and places it in conversation with Christian teaching. He is also interested in understanding the history of salvation and Islam’s place therein.” – Dr. Gabriel Said Reynolds, Department of Theology, University of Notre Dame

“I really appreciate the originality of Michael Healy’s vision and the amount of scholarship he displays. Healy sees correctly Islam as a kind of Old Testament of the Arabs that offers them truth although not (explicitly) the fullness of truth. Very often people judge before they understand. A correct method always tries first to understand, and one cannot understand without a fair amount of human sympathy for the object (the person or persons) who are the objects of your study. An error, moreover, is very often a truth out of its proper context, and the most convincing confutation of an error is the repositioning of that truth in its correct place.” – Rocco Buttiglione, Professor of Political Science at Saint Pius V University in Rome, and a member of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences

The Biblical Quran draws on deep religious, historical and philosophical insight into God’s plan for Muslims and their place in salvation. I think it will be an important tool in the evangelization of the Muslim world.” – Ligia Castaldi, Professor of Law, Ave Maria School of Law

“Michael Healy’s The Biblical Quran is a fascinating study that lays out an original argument in a logical manner.” – Msgr. Michael John Witt, Church Historian, Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, St. Louis, MO

The Biblical Qur’an is an extraordinarily original and provocative contribution of our understanding of the Islamic religion.” – Ronda Chervin, Ph.D., Emerita Professor of Philosophy, Holy Apostles College and Seminary. 

“I am very happy to endorse The Biblical Qur’an by Michael Healy for publication. The book provides a Christocentric reading of the Qur’an that takes note of such readings by Giulio Basetti-Sani, OFM (1977) and earlier authors such as Bishop Paul of Antioch (12th century), the anonymous Letter from the People of Cyprus (fourteenth century), and Nicholas of Cusa (fifteenth century). Michael Healy’s book, however, shows a more profound awareness of issues related to contemporary hermeneutics, discernment of private revelations, philosophical approaches to verification, and divine providence. The book provides a fascinating study of certain Qur’anic passages that suggest a hidden Christian meaning. It also looks at various biblical texts (Gen 16:8–12; 17:17–27; 21: 8–21) that indicate a divine plan for the Muslims via Abraham and Ishmael. Michael Healy provides a thoroughly Catholic approach to his Christocentric reading of the Qur’an, and he shows possible allusions to the Eucharist, redemptive suffering, devotion to the saints and the Virgin Mary. He deals with the clear differences between Christian doctrines (e.g. the Trinity and the Incarnation) and those of Islam, but he suggests that the Muslim emphasis on the unity of God might help lead Christians to a renewed awareness of God the Father as the source of the Godhead. Healy likewise examines what seem to be anti-Jewish and anti-Christian passages in the Qur’an, but he suggests that these can be read as reactions to Jews and Christians who do not faithfully follow their own religions. There are likewise many original and interesting interpretations of Muslim concepts (e.g. Muhammad as the seal of the prophets) as well as discussions of Muslim claims that the coming Muhammad is predicted in the Bible. Healy manifests a clear awareness of the cultural milieu out of which Islam emerged, and this helps him discuss moral issues such as polygamy and war in the Qur’an as well as the relation of Islam towards Zoroastrianism and Manichaeism. Perhaps the most original proposal of Healy is his suggestion that the Qur’an functions as a type of “midrash” that helps people abandon paganism and embrace a theocentric worldview. In this sense, Islam—even though it emerges chronologically after the coming of Christ—can play a role in God’s providence over history in ways that we might not fully understand. Michael Healy, though, is hardly a religious relativist. He is a committed Catholic who recognizes Christ as the most complete revelation of God to the human race. A Christocentric worldview, however, should enable us to ponder how God, in his mysterious providence, might even make use of the Qur’an and the Islamic tradition to bring people to the truth about Christ and the Catholic faith.” – Robert L. Fastiggi, Ph.D., Bishop Kevin M. Britt Chair of Dogmatic Theology and Christology, Sacred Heart Major Seminary, Detroit, MI USA

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michael Healy, Jr. holds a B.A. in Philosophy and History, an M.A. in Philosophy, and an M.A. in Theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville as well as a J.D. from Ave Maria School of Law. He also reads voraciously, enjoys hiking and travelling with his wife Tara, and endeavors to live out his Catholic Faith.

OTHER ACADEMIC BOOKS

Rigidez: Fidelidade ou Heterodoxia? por Pedro Gabriel

Rigidez: Fidelidade ou Heterodoxia? por Pedro Gabriel

Rigidez: Fidelidade ou Heterodoxia? por Pedro Gabriel "Porque é que o Papa Francisco está sempre a criticar os católicos fiéis?" é uma pergunta frequentemente repetida sempre que o Santo Padre faz uma das suas habituais invectivas contra a rigidez religiosa. De facto,...

read more
Rigidity: Faithfulness or Heterodoxy by Pedro Gabriel

Rigidity: Faithfulness or Heterodoxy by Pedro Gabriel

Rigidity: Faithfulness or Heterodoxy? by Pedro Gabriel “Why is Pope Francis always criticizing faithful Catholics?” is an oft-repeated question whenever the Holy Father makes one of his usual invectives against religious rigidity. Francis has indeed made such...

read more
Contemporary Sacred Art: Conversations on Art & Faith

Contemporary Sacred Art: Conversations on Art & Faith

Contemporary Sacred Art: Conversations on Art & Faith by Dr. Michela Beatrice Ferri In translation now from the Italian. Buy it in the original language here: What is the so-called “Contemporary Sacred Art”? In her book, Michela Beatrice Ferri inquires about the...

read more
Elements of Christianity: The Beauty of the Christian Faith

Elements of Christianity: The Beauty of the Christian Faith

Elements of Christianity: The Beauty of the Christian Faith by Tonino Vicari This book attempts to make accessible to the average reader the basic elements of Church teaching concerning morality, natural law, and supernatural truths that have been passed down through...

read more
The Nostalgia for a New Christendom by Mario Ramos-Reyes

The Nostalgia for a New Christendom by Mario Ramos-Reyes

The Nostalgia for a New Christendom by Mario Ramos-Reyes Mario Ramos-Reyes explains the political schizophrenia of mid-20th century Latin America and the healing process that sought to fill the void between Enlightenment liberalism and the Catholic tradition. The cure...

read more
Consuming Love by Fr. Gregory Cleveland, OMV

Consuming Love by Fr. Gregory Cleveland, OMV

Consuming Love: Discovering Christ the Bridegroom in Holy Communion by Fr. Gregory Cleveland, OMV The Eucharist is the “sacrament of love.” Jesus Christ is the true Bridegroom of our hearts, and it is he whom we receive in holy Communion. Even if you have received our...

read more
Heresia Disfarçada de Tradição por Pedro Gabriel

Heresia Disfarçada de Tradição por Pedro Gabriel

Heresia Disfarçada de Tradição por Pedro Gabriel Uma afirmação muito difundida nos círculos católicos atuais é que se pode ignorar os ensinamentos do Papa Francisco ou do Concílio Vaticano II se eles ensinarem algo que parece ir contra a tradição. Será que isso é...

read more
Unpacking Palamism: A Catholic Critique

Unpacking Palamism: A Catholic Critique

Unpacking Palamism: A Catholic Critique by James Likoudis with essays selected and edited by Andrew Likoudis Unpacking Palamism: A Catholic Critique, penned by esteemed scholar Dr. James Likoudis, meticulously scrutinizes the doctrines of Palamism, a theological...

read more
The Lord of the Rings and Catholicism

The Lord of the Rings and Catholicism

The Lord of the Rings and Catholicism: Exploring the Christian Roots of The Lord of the Rings Trilogy by Madeleine Dobrowski This book explores the Catholic themes that can be found in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. It is written for all lovers of Tolkien, Catholic or...

read more
Human Nature: Moral Norm

Human Nature: Moral Norm

Human Nature: Moral Norm by Francis Etheredge There is a 'difference, both anthropological and moral, between contraception and recourse to the rhythm of the cycle: it is a difference which is much wider and deeper than is usually thought, one which involves in the...

read more
Heresy Disguised as Tradition

Heresy Disguised as Tradition

Heresy Disguised as Tradition by Pedro Gabriel A widespread assertion in Catholic circles today is that one can disregard the teachings of Pope Francis or the Second Vatican Council if they teach something that seems to go against tradition. Is this the case? In this...

read more
The Social Encyclicals and Saint Thomas Aquinas

The Social Encyclicals and Saint Thomas Aquinas

The Social Encyclicals and Saint Thomas Aquinas by Dr. Donald G. Boland The social encyclicals of the Catholic Church provide an opportunity to treat human behavior from a practical moral philosophical point of view grounded in Aristotle as interpreted by Saint Thomas...

read more
The Necessity of Knowledge for Love and its Application

The Necessity of Knowledge for Love and its Application

The Necessity of Knowledge for Love and Its Application by Fr. Paul Ezinando In this work, Fr. Paul Ezinando not only demonstrates that knowledge is a necessity for love, but he also shows that proper knowledge promotes love. Following the argument of St. Augustine,...

read more
Unfolding a Post-Roe World

Unfolding a Post-Roe World

Unfolding a Post-Roe World by Francis Etheredge Unfolding a Post-Roe World is the second edition of what had formerly been entitled The ABCQ of Conceiving Conception. It explores what is involved in grasping the beginning of each of us – but we need the truth to open...

read more
Los principios del cambio

Los principios del cambio

Los principios del cambio: La reforma carmelita de Teresa de Ávila y las ideas de la gestión del cambio Kristina R. Olsen Este libro se basa en los principios de gestión del cambio organizacional para examinar la reforma de la Orden Carmelita de Teresa de Ávila en el...

read more
The Wonder of the Eucharist

The Wonder of the Eucharist

The Wonder of the Eucharist: More Voices from the Twentieth Century by Dennis Billy, C.Ss.R. This book examines some of the major literary voices from the past century who deepened our understanding of the Eucharist by embedding it in their short stories, novels,...

read more
Paradoxes of Faith and Reason

Paradoxes of Faith and Reason

Paradoxes of Faith and Reason by Dr. Shalina Stilley Paradox it is at the very heart of the Gospel message. The Trinity, the Incarnation, the Cross and Resurrection, and the problem of evil are but a few examples of paradoxes of faith and reason. How can God be three...

read more
Rise and Fall of the American Empire

Rise and Fall of the American Empire

A new book from En Route Books and media critically analyzes how the Republic fashioned by the Framers of the Constitution in 1787 has been transformed into a deep Administrative State ruled by non-elected experts.Rise and Fall of the American Empire by Dr. Richard...

read more
Reaching for the Resurrection: A Pastoral Bioethics

Reaching for the Resurrection: A Pastoral Bioethics

Reaching for the Resurrection: A Pastoral Bioethics Loneliness, Aloneness, Euthanasia, Meaning, Anorexia, Brain Death, Conversion, and the Death and Resurrection of Christ   by Francis Etheredge Francis Etheredge returns to the subject of bioethics with essays on...

read more
Principles of Change by Kristina R. Olsen

Principles of Change by Kristina R. Olsen

Principles of Change: Teresa of Avila’s Carmelite Reform and Insights from Change Management Kristina R. Olsen This book draws from organizational change management principles to examine Teresa of Avila’s 16th-century reform of the Carmelite Order. During the last...

read more
Exploring the Belief in the Real Presence

Exploring the Belief in the Real Presence

Exploring the Belief in the Real Presence (Second Edition) by Dr. David J. Keys When an evangelical minister asked him why one would believe that Jesus is present -- body, blood, soul, and divinity -- in communion, Dr. Keys began an intensive study into the ancient...

read more
History of Peter

History of Peter

History of Peter by Roger Skrenes Peter is spoken of 195 times in the New Testament, twice as many times as all the other Apostles combined. Today, when Peter is discussed, however, what is most often emphasized is the erratic or sinful side of his personality. Jesus...

read more
Peter and Wendy

Peter and Wendy

Peter and Wendy: Growing Up in Neverland by Dennis Billy, C.Ss.R. This book looks at J. M. Barrie's classic children's story Peter Pan to see what it can tell us about ourselves and our situation today. It discovers in this classic fairy-tale about the boy from...

read more
Weeds Among Wheat

Weeds Among Wheat

Weeds Among Wheat: L'Arche and the Tainted Legacy of Jean Vanier by Dennis Billy, C.Ss.R. This book is about baking the bread of Christian community from the grains of our broken humanity. It is primarily concerned with distinguishing L'Arche's authentic spirituality...

read more
21 Centuries of Church History in 21 Pages by Albert Domm

21 Centuries of Church History in 21 Pages by Albert Domm

21 Centuries of Church History in 21 Pages by Albert Domm Focused on our Catholic faith, Albert Domm's 21 Centuries of Church History in 21 Pages engages the Catholic reader in a concise but rich history of our Church one full century at a time. A narrative flow, this...

read more