A Theology of Gratitude
Christian and Muslim Perspectives

This rich interdisciplinary volume is the first to explore diverse theologies of gratitude from both Christian and Muslim perspectives.

Mona Siddiqui (Edited by), Nathanael Vette (Edited by)

9781009198400, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 22 December 2022

256 pages
23.5 x 15.8 x 1.7 cm, 0.49 kg

'The book makes an important and original contribution to comparative theology in Islam, Christianity, and Judaism, and also to the wider humanities.' William F. Storrar, Director, Center of Theological Inquiry, Princeton

How, from a theological standpoint, should we make sense of gratitude? This rich interdisciplinary volume is the first concertedly to explore theologies of gratitude from both Christian and Muslim perspectives. While the available literature has tended to rhapsodize gratitude to God and others as both a virtue and an obligation, this book by contrast offers something new by detailing ways in which gratitude is complicated by inequality: even to the point of becoming a vice. Gratitude now emerges as something more than a virtue and other than merely transactional. It can be a burden, bringing about indebtedness and an imbalance of power; but it may also be a resonant source of reconciliation and belonging. Topics discussed cover the personal and political dimensions of gratitude, including such issues as justice, multiculturalism, racism, imperialism, grief, memory and hope. The book assembles, from different traditions, some of the leading theologians of our times.

Part I. Gratitude and God
1. Joyful recognition: debt, duty, and gratitude to God Miroslav Volf and Ryan McAnnally-Linz
2. Islam and the Praxis of gratitude: Shukr from divine orientations to the structures of the social Martin Nguyen
3. Gratitude in creation and in grace: One Protestant approach to the question of whether gratitude is a burden or a hope Tom Greggs
4. When does a virtue become a vice? Gratitude as panacea and poison in Sufi ethics Atif Khalil
Part II. Gratitude and Humanity
5. Gratitude: a virtue as vast as life itself? Robert Emmons
6. Saying thank you in the checkout line, or, taking Thomas to Starbucks, or, gratitude in a money economy Peter J. Leithart
7. The privilege of gratitude? Linn Marie Tonstad
8. Gratitude, finitude, and divine providence: living thankfully in Schleiermacher and al-Ghazali Joshua Ralston
Part III. Gratitude and Society: 9. From resentment to gratitude: an essay on multiculturalism Mona Siddiqui
10. Being black in Britain: a space for gratitude? Anthony Reddie
11. 'Ungrateful Jews': the Roman empire and early Christian anti-Semitism Nathanael Vette
12. Paying tribute: Cornel West's prophetic gratitude as social movement building and self-transcendence Joshua Forstenzer.

Subject Areas: Theology [HRLB]