The Bible and the Qur'an: A Comparative Study

By: Gabriel Said Reynolds

Narrated by: Gabriel Said Reynolds

Length: 8 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's Summary

What would you like to know about the Qur'an and its relationship to the Bible? 

Written in beautifully poetic and rhythmic language, the Qur'an comprises 114 suras ("chapters"). To Christians, its structure can at first seem unusual, and indeed, the Qur'an differs from our scriptures in fundamental ways. As you study the Qur'an, you will gain a deep appreciation for its striking differences from the Bible and the importance of this religious text revered by 1.7 billion Muslims around the world. 

In this superb course, you will receive a general introduction to the Qur'an, paying particular attention to its relationship with the Bible. Prof. Gabriel Reynolds, a scholar of Islamic studies at Notre Dame, guides you through the beautiful language, fascinating history, and varied interpretations of the Qur'an. By embarking on this exploration, you will more deeply understand Islam and its conversation with Christianity. 

The first part introduces you to the life of Muhammad, the literary qualities of the Qur'an, and its historical context. After looking closely at the themes of the Qur'an, you will explore its portrayals of Jesus and other biblical figures, as well as how Christianity has interacted with it throughout history. Then, you will look at academic controversies and traditional Islamic teachings on the Qur'an. Finally, you will examine how Muslims approach the Qur'an in the modern world. 

Begin this essential learning journey today. 

This course is part of the Learn25 collection and includes a free PDF study guide. 

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2015 Now You Know Media Inc. (P)2015 Now You Know Media Inc.

Critic Reviews

"Gabriel Reynolds combines deep learning and a gift for teaching. His sympathetic but learned approach to Islam is a real grace in these times." (Lawrence S. Cunningham, O'Brien professor of theology (emeritus), the University of Notre Dame)

"Gabriel Reynolds is an internationally renowned scholar of the Quran. His work on the relationship of early Quranic traditions to the Bible is groundbreaking and will forever alter the way in which scholars see the origins of the Islamic faith.... It will take another generation of scholars to plot their way through the dense thicket of interpretive questions that this line of research has raised." (Gary A. Anderson, Hesburgh professor of Catholic theology)

Draws a lot of fine lines in calm, scholarly voice

As a professor, I really enjoy listening to another (delivered live especially) who is not only well informed, but impassioned with the subject. Many questions are answered here. Have there been different versions of the Quran? To what specific time and place do we trace the one regarded as authoritative across the Muslim world? (That's a surprise -- identified as rather startlingly recent, in the 1920s, and a compilation arrived at by a committee in Cairo?) What is the Quran's view of the physical nature and arrangement of God, of paradise, of the universe? What does the Quran actually say about thinking of God as a father, of Jesus as God's son, or otherwise? About the trinity? This professor if I heard correctly, is associated with Notre Dame University and this audio source, presumably with the Catholic Church? But whatever the correct background is, for everyone, I would be reassuring that the approach is overall the finest serious, mature, disciplined scholarship. This professor is a speaker and scholar of Arabic,and all the source material. This is not a polemic designed to rile up the masses -- it is dispassionately (and passionately, but in a scholarly way) surveying what the respective sources actually say. I daresay there is plenty here the street-level Jihadist probably has little inkling of. I also appreciate a professor so well versed in the subject and in speaking that the flow of talk is clear as a bell and without the "uh," "ahh" fumbling stuff I find so distracting. The delivery is letter-perfect, essentially error-free, and conducive to learning. This won't be the only source I'll hear, but it is the best I have heard so far.

Quran? Where is the Bible part

I bought this book thinking, I will hear both sides of the story. There was not any passages or chapters from either the old or new testament of Bible. To me, it was in-depth one sided, analysis of Quran. I won't say right or wrong....I have to say, I'm little disappointed but appreciate author's research command on arabic language is worth praising.

I am a born Muslim, who is progressive and open minded. All religions have same value in my eyes. They were the path of light in the tunnel of darkness for the people and time they were preached but now human mind and societies have progressed much farther. We need to find spirituality and love within and around us....we need to live in peace.

Highly Recommended!

I am a Christian who wanted to read and understand the Qur'an. Professor Gabriel S. Reynolds lecture and ability to explain the Surah's in a way that makes it clearer is a must read. He gives you explanations on the meaning of specific scriptures that need further explanation. I have read the Qur'an and will now read it again with his factual interpretation as a guide. I want to thank Professor Reynolds for his hard work and sharing his knowledge with all. I wish you peace!

I’m not a Muslim but this book is so educational

I will go and try to find this book on paper because it is so informative. I have listened to many books on Islam and this book is among the very top in regards to education that is easy to understand. A very good speaker as well.

Excellence analysis

Very objective and would be a great tool to teach religion. It isn’t bent towards one way of thinking or another. Well documented.
Trying to explain the differences to kids is very difficult I found, because you don’t want to be negative about how others view things. This is the best book I’ve run into that explains without judgement, and conveys the general themes in an organized, systematic, well researched and interesting way.
Great purchase.

A great Lecture

I found this lecture incredibly interesting from someone who has little knowledge of the Qur'an. I feel that now that I have listened to this lecture I have a better understanding of the world of Islam and how it relates to the Qur'an.

Worthwhile

If one has interest in understanding Islam better, this is certainly a good read. I would recommend having a understanding of the Bible first as well as some context of Islamic culture in order to better follow. Although somewhat critical, this criticism is based on a very thorough analysis along with frequent citations. Narrator is enthusiastic and is easy on the ears. Overall, worthwhile investment!

Different perspective

I appreciate the authors due diligence. Although there’s more aspects of the Quran and in Islam the author did a great job conveying his understanding and findings of the Quran. However I believe there’s more to the Quran, Hadeeth and the Sunah of the Prophet. Which many Muslims ignore to fulfill their own wants, like the terrorist ignoring the order of the Muhammad not to kill civilians. War is permitted between armies not armed and non armed.

Good start but biased

The lecture themselves would make you feel the this is a deep review and honest view of the history of Quran and revelation. However, in many occasions some theories were emphasized more than others although there is more evidence to support the alternatives.
In my opinion, Mr. Reynolds did a good job criticizing the Quran but his review lacks many of the facts that support the text being a new level of the Arabic linguistic that was never experienced by the Arabs themselves in the 7ths century.
I recommend reading the following as an addition to this book,

http://www.thelasttestament.org/Qur'an.SAMPLE.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0FU0McVgOJTdYKjQQvnbCzzBiSSbHvVPecjIfjGMN5i1N4G7fNPYZPIbE

it was great. read it

really great
read by all means.
very insightful I could not stop listening to the writer who also was the presenter

Insightful and enjoyable

Reynolds does an excellent job at presenting the most topical issues with knowledge and understanding and wit. You can learn about the traditional interpretations as well as the modern controversies surrounding topics such as women's rights, different religions, comparisons with the Bible, war and peace.
Very much worth listening to.

Very informative.

Being a Christian I have wondered about the Koran and wanted to know what the pure teaching is to be able to separate it from more extreme distortions. Prof Reynolds does a fantastic and very thorough job at doing this. His has a very engaging personality and I thank him. The end result being is that, now being acquainted with the Koran’s teachings, I appreciate Jesus and his teaching of peace even more. I recommend this audiobook very highly.