Gabriel S. Reynolds is Professor of Islamic Studies and Theology in the Department of Theology at Notre Dame, where he researches the Qur’an and Muslim-Christian relations. He received his Ph.D. in Islamic Studies from Yale University, where his dissertation, A Muslim Theologian in the Sectarian Milieu (published by Brill in 2004), won the Field Prize. He is the author of The Qur’an and Its Biblical Subtext (Routledge, 2010) and of The Emergence of Islam (Fortress, 2012), the translator of ‘Abd al-Jabbar’s Critique of Christian Origins (BYU, 2008), and the editor of The Qur’an in Its Historical Context (Routledge, 2008) and New Perspectives on the Qur’an: The Qur’an in Its Historical Context 2 (Routledge, 2011).
Prof. Reynolds is currently Chair of the Executive Board of the International Qur’anic Studies Association. At Notre Dame, he teaches courses on theology, Muslim/Christian Relations, and Islamic Origins. Prof. Reynolds has been a visiting professor at the Université de Saint Joseph in Lebanon and at the Université Libre de Bruxelles in Belgium, and he has lectured on the Church and Islam throughout the world, including Oxford, Cairo, Rome, Jerusalem, and Iran.
Praise for Gabriel Reynolds
“Gabriel Reynolds combines deep learning and a gift for teaching. His sympathetic but learned approach to Islam is a real grace in these times.”
– Lawrence S. Cunningham, O’Brien Professor of Theology Emeritus, University of Notre Dame
“Gabriel Reynolds is an internationally renowned scholar of the Quran. His work on the relationship of early Quranic traditions to the Bible is groundbreaking and will forever alter the way in which scholars see the origins of the Islamic faith.” – Gary A. Anderson, Hesburgh Professor of Catholic Theology, University of Notre Dame
“Engaging and lucid in explaining the often dauntingly complex and conflicting claims to legitimacy by Islam and Christianity, Gabriel Said Reynolds enlightens his listeners and illuminates religions’ problems and promise in our increasingly dangerous and divided world.”
– Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., president of the University of Notre Dame
tk –
clear, new learnings in every lesson
I listen to a lot of these courses, and this was the best I heard this year. Dr. Reynolds is clear, answers the kind of questions I have about Islam, and most of the information was basic but new to me. The information could be summed as “What would be most important for a Christian to know about Islam.”
Carla –
Objective and most informative.
To be truly “Catholic” we need to be aware of other traditions from a fair and respectful perspective. We are living in a global village, and we need to know the neighbors…! Objective and most informative, this program not only presented Islam, but contrasted it with Christianity fairly and honestly.
Fr. Michael –
Presentation is lively and intelligent!
The presenter is obviously very competent. His presentation is lively and intelligent. His Catholic faith shines through. He makes a great effort to be even-handed. This is truly a scholarly presentation by a first-rate teacher.
John –
Reynold’s presentation on Christianity and Islam is a huge contribution to understanding among faiths.
Given national ignorance and fear regarding Islam, the Reynolds presentation on Christianity and Islam is a huge contribution to understanding among faiths.
Bob –
I leaned much
I had read several books about Islam and this course gave me more insights than any of them. I highly recommend it.
John B. L., NY –
Fall Survey: October 2016
I played Christian & Islamic Theology for an audience at our local public library. They found the series very helpful. We purchased the DVD for the illustrations that accompany this series.
Peter D., LA –
Fall Survey: October 2016
This course provided objective information and a different perspective from other Christian-Islamic resources.
John –
Very sensitive and timely
Given our national and international concern with Jihadists like ISIS, I found two studies on Islam and Christianity and the Bible & the Koran to be very sensitive and timely. Prof. Gabriel S. Reynolds is an excellent scholar of these programs. These studies enter in a very important discussion about similarities and differences between two world religions.
Fr. Gary O., NE –
Fall Survey: October 2016
A very clear, unbiased presentation.
Thomas K., WI –
Winter Survey: January 2017
Professor Reynolds was clear and did not assume I knew anything about Islam, and addressed questions that I had. I thought he really made the most of his time talking.
Fr. John M., OH –
Summer Survey: July 2017
Reynolds give you a basic yet thorough understanding of Islam and its teaching in dialogue with Christian faith.
Audrey P., AL –
Summer 2018 Survey
The relationship between Christianity and Islam was very interesting and informative. The speaker is a professor at Notre Dame. He was very knowledgeable and delivered in a manner that was easy to understand and learn.
Larry E F., IN –
Summer 2018 Survey
Dr. Reynolds is well prepared and easy to follow. I knew virtually nothing about Islam and nothing about a comparison between the two; now I know!