Nostra Aetate and Catholic-Muslim Relations

In this first episode of Season 3, Avraham Burg speaks with Gabriel Reynolds, Professor of Theology at Notre Dame, about his personal and academic journey from suburban Connecticut to becoming a leading scholar of Islamic studies and Comparative Theology. Reynolds shares how his roots in the region, travels to the Middle East, and academic curiosity led him to study the Quran from a historical-critical perspective, emphasizing its engagement with Biblical traditions. They also explore the theological and sociopolitical complexities of Islam’s relationship with Christianity and Judaism, the integration of Muslims in the West, and the evolution of Western Islam, particularly in the United States. Throughout, Reynolds highlights the importance of interreligious understanding grounded in human dignity, while acknowledging deep theological differences between faith traditions.