The Pillars: Jerusalem, Athens, and the Western Mind Islam 101: A Religious and Historical Overview
Apr 8, 2025
Explore the origins of Islam in 7th-century Arabia and Muhammad's exposure to Jewish and Christian teachings. Discover how Islam fits into the narrative of Western civilization and its emphasis on submission to God's will. Dive into the Five Pillars of Islam, and understand theological differences with Judaism and Christianity. Unpack the Sunni-Shia split, the rise of the Abbasids, and the intellectual flourishing during the Islamic Golden Age. Learn about the spread of Islam through trade and the Ottoman Empire's influence on Europe.
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Islam As Part Of The Western Story
- Mitchell Rocklin argues Islam is integral to understanding Western civilization because of its early and deep influence.
- Excluding Islam leaves the story of the West incomplete and misses vital historical connections.
Submission Is Central To Islam
- Rocklin explains Islam means submission and frames peace as doing God's will.
- He contrasts this with Judaism and Christianity which emphasize a more reciprocal human-divine relationship.
Muhammad's Revelation And Biblical Link
- Muhammad received revelations beginning around 613 CE and preached strict monotheism in Mecca.
- He acknowledged earlier prophets but claimed prior scriptures had been distorted.
