Safeguarding the Stranger

"Safeguarding the Stranger is an immensely important addition to the literature on hospitality, notably protective hospitality as practiced in the Abrahamic faith traditions. The work reflects extraordinarily deep research and years of interfaith and cross-cultural experience, as well as time logged in some of our world's most conflicted regions. The author combines fluency in feminist and liberationist Christian thought with competence in Hebrew Bible and Quranic studies--and more than a bit of continental philosophy as well. A major contribution by an important new voice, both in its substance and in its method. Highly recommended."

--David P. Gushee, Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics; Director, Center for Theology & Public Life, Mercer University; Vice President, American Academy of Religion; Columnist, Religion News Service; President-Elect, Society of Christian Ethics



"Jayme Reaves is what I call an academic/activist, a special breed of folks who can handle the highest intellectual pursuits but are driven to continually engage in real-world struggles and concerns. Reaves addresses this directly in her book as she writes about grounding all the discussion of hospitality in praxis. . . . The richest gift from this book for me was her deep exploration of the three Abrahamic faiths of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. She explores their commonalities related to hospitality, but also the unique perspectives that each religion brings that can shine light on the limitations of the others and spark growth in the practice of hospitality through interfaith dialog. . . . [This book] is excellent for those who want deep intellectual engagement. As she notes, there is a paucity of material related to the practice and ethics of hospitality in general let alone protective hospitality. Reaves has filled an important space in this discussion, and has done it not as a mere intellectual exercise but as a profound ethical challenge at this historic moment."

--Daniel Buttry, Interfaith Peace Trainer, Negotiator, and Author



"A prophetic and constructive contribution that addresses a pressing challenge of our time. Reaves speaks with conviction and insight on the importance of protective hospitality within the Abrahamic traditions, and shows the ongoing relevance of this tradition for today."

--David Tombs, Howard Paterson Chair of Theology and Public Issues, Director of Centre for Theology and Public Issues, Department of Theology and Religion, University of Otago, New Zealand