Science, Syntax, and Superiority in Eleventh-Century Christian-Muslim Discussion: Elias of Nisibis on the Arabic and Syriac LanguagesIslam and Christian-Muslim RelationsSyriaca.org: The Syriac Reference PortalThe National Endowment for the HumanitiesThe International Balzan Prize FoundationDavid A. Michelsoncbsc_adminRecord added to Zotero bycbsc_adminSyriaca.org: The Syriac Reference Portalhttp://syriaca.org/cbss/7RSB72D2/tei
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CREATED: This bibl record was autogenerated from a Zotero record.DavidBertainaScience, Syntax, and Superiority in Eleventh-Century Christian-Muslim Discussion: Elias of Nisibis on the Arabic and Syriac Languageshttp://syriaca.org/cbss/7RSB72D2https://www.zotero.org/groups/a_comprehensive_bibliography_on_syriac_studies/items/7RSB72D2https://www.zotero.org/groups/4861694/items/7RSB72D2Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations22:22011197-207Elias of Nisibis, an eleventh-century bishop of the ‘Nestorian’ Church of the East, was a Christian author fluent in Syriac and Arabic. Elias composed works on a variety of topics including theology, history, grammar, and lexicography. His Arabic work the <i>Book of sessions</i> (<i>Kitāb al-majālis</i>) relates discussions that he had with the Muslim vizier Abū al-Qāsim al-Maghribī on seven different occasions. The sixth discussion focuses on the merits of Arab and Syriac sciences and compares their languages with reference to syntax, lexicography, and written script. This article contextualizes and outlines the sixth dialogue, arguing that the text does not accurately reflect Elias’ understanding of Syriac and Arabic grammar and sciences. Rather, the discourse has three purposes: to recognize scientific achievements by Syriac scholars, to strengthen the rational arguments for the Christian faith, and to recommend that Muslims should evaluate matters, including their interpretation of the Qur’an, through the use of scientific knowledge. The article offers conclusions on Elias’ understanding of the relationship between reason and revelation, his views on language, and scientific learning in the Syriac tradition.
Bertaina, David. “Science, Syntax, and Superiority in Eleventh-Century Christian-Muslim Discussion: Elias of Nisibis on the Arabic and Syriac Languages.” Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations 22:2 (2011): 197–207.
David Bertaina, Science, Syntax, and Superiority in Eleventh-Century Christian-Muslim Discussion: Elias of Nisibis on the Arabic and Syriac Languages,Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations 22:2 (2011): 197–207.Arab ChristiansElias of NisibisMuslim-Christian relationsNestoriansSyriac languageVII-XVIII CEXI CEapologeticssociolinguistics