In an effort to equip Christians with the tools needed to interact with Muslim believers, Zondervan is releasing an English translation of the Quran.

"The Quran with Christian Commentary offers a unique introduction to the primary religious text of Islam," the publisher says in an online announcement.

The commentary is written by Canadian scholar Gordon D. Nickel who holds a Ph.D. from the University of Calgary. He is now the director of the Centre for Islamic Studies at South Asia Institute of Advanced Christian Studies in Bangalore, India. 

Zondervan says that, "Alongside a precise modern English translation of the Quran, author Gordon D. Nickel provides in-text notes to explain the meaning of various surahs (chapters) and ayat (verses), their interpretive history and significance in Muslim thought, and similarities and differences when compared to biblical passages."

It also features a number of additional articles written by an international team of academics looking at topics such as Salvation in the Quran by Peter Riddell, Early Christian Exegesis of the Quran by J. Scott Bridger, Jihad in the Quran by David Cook, and Son of God in the Quran by Gordon Nickel, among others.

Zondervan says the book is "Factual, respectful of Muslims, and insightful on issues about which Muslims and Christians disagree, The Quran with Christian Commentary."

The book is designed to "(equip) Christians to interact more fruitfully with Muslim believers. Professors and students in courses on Islam and the Quran will find this to be an invaluable resource, as will pastors and missionaries who minister among Muslims."

The publisher says that while it is an academic book it is also "Written at a readable level, any Christian who wants to learn more about Islam and the Quran will find it to be a rich and informative introduction."

Nickel spent time teaching at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and the University of British Columbia and has written several books including A Gentle Answer to the Muslim Accusation of Biblical Falsification.

The Quran with Christian Commentary is set to release on April 28, 2020.