Books published by Mst (Melbourne School of Theology)

... any genuine study of Islam must include an understanding of the Qur'an and its teaching especially from the perspective of those for whom it is their holy book and who endeavour to live by its precepts. For Christians who want to communicate effectively with their Muslim neighbours, such an understanding is of primary importance.

Live in Tents - Build Only Altars throws fresh light on issues and opportunities in mid-20th century Christian mission through the life of Australian visionary and strategist, Gilbert McArthur (1922-1994). From 1955 McArthur pioneered with the Australian Baptist Foreign Mission into the Baliem Valley of Dutch New Guinea (Papua, Indonesia). In 1958-59 he moved to the Australian Baptists' Telefolmin area of the East Sepik District in Papua New Guinea (PNG), engaging in pioneering contact, analysing language and preparing teaching materials leading to the first response to the Christian Gospel.In 1963, when the Melbourne Bible Institute (now Melbourne School of Theology) responded to the PNG churches' challenge to establish a higher-level interdenominational College to meet their leadership needs, MBI chose McArthur as the founding principal. The Christian Leaders' Training College (CLTC) is now the leading interdenominational evangelical college in the Pacific, offering accredited Certificate through to Post Graduate programs. Today it is led by a competent team of Melanesian/Pacific Islanders.With equipping Christian leaders his passion, McArthur's influence gathered the personnel and resources to establish the College, including support programs. He influenced PNG's Dairy, Poultry, Transport and Timber industries, and the shaping of national moral/ethical values through his Chaplaincy in the Defence/Police Forces.Departing CLTC, McArthur pursued his conviction that equipping Christian leaders was a critical strategy in Christian mission, with a Pacific focus. From 1970, he held leadership positions with Alliance Training Association (PNG), the World Vision Pacific Office, the South Sea Evangelical Mission, and was also involved at Board level with other evangelical organisations until his death in 1994. His last years focussed on personal encouragement for Pacific political leaders as they emerged from the colonial period.Part One, The Man, unpacks McArthur's early years (1922-1939); Part Two, The Mission, explores his missionary service and leadership; and Part Three, The Legacy, traces the impact of his distinctive personality, spirituality and character; his influence on a selection of individuals; and his legacy in the growth and impact of organisations and ministries he established or shared in. The author evaluates Christian leadership issues through the lens of McArthur's life journey.

This volume comprises the papers from the Understanding and Answering Islam conference held at Melbourne School of Theology in 2017. It is our hope that they represent the best of a generous yet robust Christian scholarly approach to Islam. The reader will benefit from the latest in cutting–edge research concerning the textual history of the Qur’an and Muslim traditions. Nevertheless, as the conference title suggests, the aim of the gathering was not simply to describe and evaluate particular features of Islam, but also to suggest ways forward in Christian engagement with Muslims around such features. Much of this practical side was covered in interactive seminars during the conference, however this relational goal is signalled by the fact that the more technical papers forming the bulk of this book are actually and theologically bookended by calls to deeply know and love Muslims.

This Topical Concordance to the Qur'an was compiled by a Muslim Scholar and then translated into English by Aubrey H. Whitehouse.  This is a reprint of that work in a more accessible format.  The purpose of this concordance (a type of index) is to facilitate the search of important topics that occur in the Qur'an by listing the chapter (sura) and verse (ayat) which relate to that particular topic or subject.  Consequently, the book deals with many topics with some of the major topics being further divided into relevant subsections.

The articles in this edition of the Bulletin reflect the dual thrust of the Centre for the Study of Islam and Other Faiths: the study of Islam (the majority of articles) and two concerning other Faiths. The two articles on other Faiths emanate from the Indian context. One takes the reader into the world of the Sikhs while the other outlines the rise of the Hindu fundamentalist party and its success in the recent elections.