Approach of christian thought to islam in the middle ages: examples of Bernard of Clairvaux, Peter the Venerable, Francis of Assisi and Thomas Aquinas

Abstract

Christian and Muslim relationships went through different processes in the 12 th and the beginnings of 13 th century. The Papacy and Bernard of Clairvaux had adopted negative attitude toward Islam and Mohammad at the time of crusade. It can be described as an antagonism in the best way. Peter the Venerable had become a more different approach. He wanted to convert Muslims with a more objective attitude by emphasizing to the words, the reasons, and the love, not to the weapons, the force and the hatred. The invitation of Peter to the words, the reasons and love gained a new dimension with Francis of Assisi. He appears as the key figure in transition missionary activities towards the Muslim world. That is why he has been called as model for human liberation, the peaceful crusader and friends of Muslims by some researchers and scholars. As for some researchers, he was a model for the conversion of Muslims and not a model for friends of them. Thomas Aquinas had engaged in scientific missionary activities and pointed out a negative manner towards Muslims and Islam. The aim of the essay is to assess the view of medieval Christianity toward Islam in the context of Bernard of Clairvaux, Peter the Venerable, Francis of Assisi and Thomas Aquinas.