Spring Hill College welcomed Notre Dame Scholar Gabriel Said Reynolds, Ph.D., as he discussed “The Quran and the Bible”, at the annual Christus Hesburgh Lecture on November 3.

The lecture was held at 7 p.m. in Byrne Memorial Hall. 

The Crowley professor of Islamic Studies and Theology and published author, spoke about the connections between the Quran and the Bible. Reynolds also addressed the current debates surrounding the Quran at the open lecture. 

Reynolds is the author of “The Quran and the Bible: Text and Commentary,” and “Allah: God and the Quran.” Reynolds also hosts a YouTube channel named, “Exploring the Quran and the Bible.” Reynolds’ discussion of the Quran and the Bible creates more understanding between people of different religious backgrounds on campus. 

According to Reynolds,  the significance of the Quran is like Christian’s relationship to Jesus Christ. For Muslims, the Quran represents God’s care for humanity. Similar to Jesus Christ in Christianity, the Quran provides spiritual wisdom and guidance. 

Through the Hesburgh Lecture Series, Notre Dame offers free and public scholarly presentations. Each year, outstanding researchers and accomplished teachers with specialized knowledge visit diverse adult audiences and deliver their perspectives.

The series began in 1986 in honor of the late Fr. Theodore Hesburgh, who was an ordained priest of the Congregation of the Holy Cross. The college decided to bring Notre Dame faculty members to clubs and their local communities. 

Since 1989, Christus Theological Institute has offered a unique religious and educational experience for Christians and churches of the Mobile Bay area. The annual Christus program has presented more than 100 lectures from speakers from around the country. The program allows the spread of different religious perspectives. The mission of Christus is to encourage a reflective deepening and broadening of the search for God in our Christian tradition, promoting a truly ecumenical network among local faith communities.

For more information on this lecture go to Christus Lecture.