Comments on: Top Twenty Recent Books on Islam, Terrorism and Jihad

By: Trevor Faggotter

Trevor Faggotter — Fri, 18 Aug 2006 02:07:29 +0000

I agree, such a list could go on being extended for a long time. So, here goes…
One book still applicable, and helpful for opening the gospel to anyone – actually – is the re-published:

“Mission to Islam and Beyond” by Jens Christensen, NCPI, 2001 (1977). Especially where it says, that God is the ‘Doer’ and Christians are his ‘Means’. An important insight, fellow travellers.

www.newcreation.org.au/books/covers/375.html

Trevor Faggotter, Tasmania

By: Ken Clezy

Ken Clezy — Thu, 10 Aug 2006 07:24:23 +0000

Great list Bill, but I’m a bit old to be buying more books, and in any case have experienced Islam at the coalface, with friends shot and others inprisoned.

Do any of these books deal with democracy and Islam? If it is true that democracy in Europe was the indirect result of the translation of the Bible into the language of the common man, with freedom in Christ being the seed from which democracy sprang, it seems to me to be impossible for democracy of any kind to be transplanted into the world of Islam.

Therefore it is perplexing that George Bush and Tony Blair, unashamed Christian believers, should suppose they can do it.

Ken Clezy, BURNIE TAS

By: Damien Carson

Damien Carson — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 10:55:54 +0000

I suppose this list could go on forever, but there is one book that I would like to mention in addition to the above: David Waines (prof Islamic studies, Lancaster University), ‘An Introduction to Islam’ Cambridge University Press, 2004.

This is an excellent, objective introduction to Islam that is a survey of Islamic history, culture and theology. This helps to book gives you a better understanding of the different sects of Islam and the worldview taught by the different schools. The last chapter points out some of the challenges and issues that are facing Islam and Waines and the ways in which different communities are dealing with them. I bought this book in 2001, but a second edition has published (2003) which I believe includes more photographs and expands the last chapter to interact with the events since the defeat of Milosevic in 2000 and the WTC in Sept 11 2001.

Judging by some comments in the last chapter, David Waines is probably sympathetic to moderate/liberal Islam but his expression of that sympathy was admirably restrained (in the first edition).

Damien Carson, Wynnum, QLD

By: Andrew Dinham

Andrew Dinham — Mon, 31 Jul 2006 13:28:45 +0000

Excellent list here Bill. Another one is “Nightmare of the Prophet” by Paul Gray (available through Freedom Publishing) which I picked up at Koorong for $10. It seems to be fairly easy to read, although as yet I’ve not got into it fully.

Another book, although not published here in Australia, is “The Religions Next Door” by Marvin Olasky. I’m near the end of this book at the moment and it’s quite a good explanation of the basics and then the impacts different worldviews (including the Islamic worldview). Olasky sets his book out in a two-chapter-per-religion style, with the first chapter explaining the basics and then the second explaining the destructive impact other religions have had/are having.

Drurie is one I must read, as well as Stuart Robinson’s “Mosques and Miracles”. I heard Stuart at the 2thepoint Worldview conference in Canberra and was very impressed.

Keep up the inspiring work for His Kingdom. God bless you Bill!

Andrew Dinham
Hope Valley, South Australia