The Missionary Purpose of the Cribratio Alkorani

Abstract

This article discusses the final purpose of the Cribratio Alkorani by Nicholas of Cusa. He offered it to pope Pius II as an instrument for the conversion of the Muslims. In conversation with Juan de Segovia, Nicholas developed the idea to «show the truth of the Gospel from the Qur'an» by giving a theological interpretation of this book that remained faithful to the principal tenets of the Christian faith while at the same time doing justice to the God-centeredness of the Qur'an.

Nicholas of Cusa

“…The formula of "one religionvariety of rites" was inspired by reading the Qur'an and related sources (Pim Valkenberg in Levy et al 2014). Therefore in the Scrutiny of the Qur'an he maintaineddespite his critique of Mohammedthat a benevolent reading would find the truth of the Gospel in the Qur'an because there are many ways to pursue the good, which is one (Valkenberg 2019), so that it can be shown that what the Gospel teaches is confirmed in that book (Cribratio Alcorani, Prologue).…”