John Renard Bücher

Arguably the single most important element in Abrahamic cross-confessional relations has been an ongoing mutual interest in perennial spiritual and ethical exemplars of one another’s communities. Ranging from Late Antiquity through the Middle Ages, Crossing Confessional Boundaries explores the complex roles played by saints, sages, and Friends of God in the communal and intercommunal lives of Christians, Muslims, and Jews across the Mediterranean world, from Spain and North Africa to the Middle East to the Balkans. By examining these stories in their broad institutional, social, and cultural contexts, Crossing Confessional Boundaries reveals unique theological insights into the interlocking histories of the Abrahamic faiths.

Focusing on the illustrated 16th-century Ottoman manuscripts, this work examines Aflaki's hagiography of Jalal ad-Din Rumi, a prominent poet and Sufi mystic. It explores the historical context of medieval Anatolia and the literary and artistic traditions of Islamic hagiography. The study emphasizes the interplay between text and image, showcasing how the paintings enhance Rumi's narrative and the virtues of his community. Featuring color images from the manuscripts, it highlights the unique visual representation of Rumi's life and teachings within a complex Muslim society.