Abstract
Serious early medieval efforts to determine a Christian view of Islam regarded the expanding religion as a new Christological heresy. This assessment, though nowadays reanimated with new hypotheses on the beginnings of Islamic history, has not held out in the development theological thought on the Divine plan for human salvation.
A great turn away from the prevailing unfriendly attitude and towards a policy of dialogue was accomplished at the Second Vatican Council. Since the optimistic era of 1960s, both the Catholic Church and the World Council of Churches have been striving to promote good relations with the world's Muslim population, in spite of the growth of hostile Islamist or Salafist radicalism and mutual demonization of Islam and the West after the end of the Cold War.
Christian encounters with Islam, however, cannot be unreflective: they have to see the differences between various groups and movements and carefully choose their partners for dialogue. The paper discusses hindrances on the way towards a better understanding between Christians and Muslims, as well as examples of positive steps initiated on both sides aiming for much needed improvements.
Special attention is paid to the importance of theological approach to issues such as reverence for life, respect for others, freedom of religion, and mercy as a way towards relieving the current tension.