With an MA in Biblical Studies from Heythrop College, University of London, and an MPhil in Islamic Studies and History from the University of Oxford, Usman Shaikh possesses expertise in both New Testament and Islamic Studies. Specialising in the historical-critical study of the New Testament and the Qur'an, his research spans topics from the Historical Jesus (p) and Messiah concepts in Second Temple Writings to the Historical Muhammad (saw) and intertextual studies of the Qur'an. Both of his dissertations received distinctions and his Oxford is referred to several times in Prof. Nicolai Sinai's seminal work, “Key Terms of the Qur'an: A Critical Dictionary.” Beyond academia, Usman Shaikh has imparted knowledge on academic writing, research, and critical thinking. His insights into the Historical Muhammad (saw) topic and the theme of his Oxford dissertation, God's responsiveness in the Qur'an, were notably shared on the popular YouTube channel, Blogging Theology.
Credentials:
MA Biblical Studies, Heythrop College, University of London
MPhil Islamic Studies and History, University of Oxford
Areas of Expertise:
New Testament: Historical Jesus (p); historical-critical study of the New Testament writings; the concept of Messiah in Second Temple Writings; Christology; New Testament canon; Form Criticism; Source Criticism; Redaction Criticism.
Islamic Studies: Historical Muhammad (saw); Early Islamic sources; Qur'anic Jesus (p); Qur'anic source criticism; Intertextual Study of the Qur'an; Historical critical study of the Qur'an; the presentation of God in the Qur'an.
