Maimonides on Christianity and Islam

Cosponsored by the Regenstein Foundation, University of Chicago Medieval Studies Workshop, University of Chicago Divinity School, The Catholic-Muslim Studies Program at Catholic Theological Union, and Seldon Institute.

The symposium explored the question: what did Maimonides say about Christianity and Islam, and how might Al-Ghazali or Thomas Aquinas have responded? It served as a thought experiment in interreligious dialogue.

David Novak of the University of Toronto began by explicating Maimonides’ position. Yousef Casewit of the University of Chicago then adopted the perspective of Al-Ghazali in response, while Matthew Levering of the University of St. Mary of the Lake replied as if he were Thomas Aquinas. The presentations were followed by a moderated discussion led by James Robinson of the University of Chicago and a Q&A with the audience.

In biblical times, the divide between Jews and Gentiles was clear: Gentiles worshiped many “other gods” (polytheism), while Jews worshiped the One God, Creator of the universe (monotheism). With the emergence of Christianity and Islam, however, two additional religious communities claimed to worship the same God as the Jews.

The symposium examined how Maimonides reconciled these claims while affirming the distinctiveness and superiority of Judaism.