Embodied values and Christian-Muslim dialogue: 'exemplar reasoning' as a model for interreligious conversations

Abstract

Taking its cue from Hans Urs von Balthasar’s notion of the apologetic value of 'exemplary individuals', or 'saints', this article proposes a new method for facilitating interreligious understanding called 'Exemplar Reasoning', which is based on peer-to-peer conversations. The proposal is developed by elaborating on how the method might be applied to Muslim-Christian dialogue. In according a central role to the pedagogical potential of the lives of exemplary figures within each faith tradition, this approach has the potential to move Muslim-Christian dialogue away from the abstract level of mere philosophical agreement and into a new phase of inter-religious conversation based on the values embodied in the lives of exemplary individuals.