From Theology of Transparency to Theology of Coexistence

The Egyptian church has long existed as a minority within a nation dominated by the political, religious, and cultural power of Islam. In this book, Andrea Zaki Stephanous explores the complex relationship that exists between the church and the Egyptian state, tracing the impact of recent political, theological, and societal developments on Christian engagement with broader Egyptian society. Dr. Zaki explores the development of Egypt's protestant theology against a backdrop of over fifty years of Egyptian history, from the rise of political Islam to Egypt's most recent revolutions. He demonstrates the significance of the church's growing commitment to interreligious dialogue, community development, and social engagement as tools for manifesting the kingdom of God amidst the significant cultural and sociopolitical challenges faced by Egypt's Christians. An indepth overview of the Coptic Evangelical Organization for Social Services (CEOSS) is included as a powerful example of kingdom values in action and the potential of the church to transform society through tangible, incarnational love of neighbor. While this book is an excellent resource for those interested in Christian-Muslim dialogue, political theology, or the modern Egyptian church, it is also a powerful source of encouragement for Christians globally, especially those serving in contexts hostile to the gospel message.