Customer Reviews

Christianity and Islam

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

This DVD has indeed as part of its agenda converting the Muslim. A true Christian analysis will always have that goal, so if you are looking for a "secular" non-religious, or a non-traditional or liberal Christian viewpoint, this is not for you. However, the Christian/Islam analysis is fair and balanced. The presentation respects Islam but clearly shows the differences. The presentation has Muslim leaders and scholars, and quotes from the Quran, pointing out the differences between Islam and Christianity. This is a very respectable approach for a Christian based analysis. I recommend this DVD to any who want to hear a presentation that is fair and also holds to faith in Jesus Christ.

This DVD Study says that it is meant for Christian persons who are seeking to know more about Islam. Dr. Timothy George gives a basic outline of Muslim beliefs and contrasts them to Christian beliefs. The places where the two faiths overlap and where they differ are highlighted. He spends a great amount of time describing Christian beliefs such as the Trinity and why Muslims reject the doctrine. The four sessions of the DVD spend as much time reviewing basic Christian beliefs ( or more) as they do explaining Muslim beliefs. In session three he does a good job of explaining the Doctrine of the Trinity. God's reality is basically relationship- community. George spends so much time on the Trinity that one begins to wonder when he will get back to Islam. The use of Muslim scholars is effective especially the women. Parts of the video explain Muslim's views on The Bible, Mary the Mother of Jesus, and the Prophet Jesus.
It is difficult to find balanced material on the market today to educate Christian audiences. This series is obviously aimed at evangelical Christians who want to begin to understand how to bring the Christian faith to Muslims. When used with a lay group of interested persons it raises elementary questions in beginning a study of Islam. The series might be a good starting place for more in depth study later. The goal of the DVD is not to build bridges between the two faiths but to clarify why Muslims do not believe as Christians. And it reminds Christians ,who Dr. George seems may have forgotten, of the basic doctrines of the Trinity and Salvation. It is produced from a strong evangelical background. The Companion Guide also asks elementary questions. The result of watching this DVD will acquaint the viewer with traditional Christian doctrines and some Muslim religious practices. I think less face time with the narrator, less time explaining Christian doctrines and more illustrations and pictures would have been more effective.

This is intended to inform Christians about the basic tenets of Islam, what the key differences are between Christian and Islamic beliefs, and how a Christian might dialogue with a Muslim. Several Muslim scholars and leaders are interviewed to provide an accurate account of what Muslims believe. Dr. Timothy George, a Christian scholar, provides most of the commentary in the films, and he emits a gentle, repectful tone, even though he strongly disagrees with most of Islam's tenets. Dr. George also explains Christian beliefs very well. Why I gave this 4 stars instead of 5 is because I believe Dr. George had too much face time in the film, and some segments seem too prolonged. But all in all, I think it is a good introduction to Islam for Christians, mainly because of the respectful tone.

As a teacher I was hoping to use this DVD to help with some lessons to Muslim students on some of the doctrines of christianity compared with those of Islam but it was a bit boring. It would have been more interesting had the Muslims responded to Dr. George's teachings and it be more like a debate or different presentations rather than Dr. George spending 20 minutes teaching the Christian position. I also think it was too expensive for one cd which does not offer much to help in the classroom with secondary students. I wish someone would make a dvd similar to this but more exciting for students.

This man claims to give an accurate view of Christianity and Islam. This is not the case. He presents Christians as one mass group that all believe the same thing. He says that Christians are pro-life, don't believe in evolution, are extremely patriotic, and have religion affect every part of their life. Timothy George, welcome to America. Christians are not all alike.

This DVD disappointed me. From an academic such as Dr. Timothy George, I anticipated a balanced comparison of the two religions and perhaps a critical appraisal of the strengths and weaknesses of both.

The comparison was candid in parts, but the comparison was marred by the arrogant superiority of George and conviction that Muslims need to recognize the superiority of Christian claims. Afford me the intelligence to reach a conclusion.

What came across was a failure of the Christians to explain their own philosophy, which made Christianity look as ridiculous as John Selby Spong describes but with none his passionate belief in Christ. In comparison, the Muslim speakers came across as tolerant and Islam as more rational and less arrogant. Yet we know the Quran is explicitly hostile towards Christianity and too many Islamists are neither rational nor tolerant. .

The program starts by scare-mongering Christians with reports that Islam is the fastest growing religion. There was never any objective evidence to assert that claim as a threat to Christians and now we know Christianity is growing at the same rate as Islam, if not faster. Those abandoning Christianity are in the West and they are hardly likely to adopt Islam.

What did emerge from the program is that both religions are essentially repressive. Both favour ignorance and conformity over knowledge and self-responsibility. There is one book and you must blindly believe that book whatever the factual, logical or moral contradictions and however out-dated its guidance for contemporary society. Unless both religions adapt to contemporary educational standards and social values then both will die. Just as religion is dying in western culture.

If the intention of the program makers was to make me realize the need to convert Islamists to Christianity, then they had the opposite effect. Yet what is on offer from Islam is less attractive than Christianity.

We all know the need to believe and the need for moral social guidance is as strong as it ever was. Those needs could be met by Christianity, Islam, or both. The principles of tolerance, love, equality, hard work, self-responsibility and care of your fellow man is imbedded to a greater or lesser degree in both religions and the way they are practiced.

What we need to do is throw over the repressive religious leaders, update the good books to contemporary standards and focus on their moral philosophy and reassurance. That is why Christianity is growing and Islam is at risk, but you would have guessed it from this documentary.

As other reviewers have suggested, this DVD offers information filtered through a devout American Christian lens. A sincere attempt is made here to understand the basic tenants of the Muslim faith and Islamic tradition. However, the viewer gets the definite impression that this video was designed for a Midwest church fellowship meeting discussing creatures from another planet. The intent to convert the misguided Muslims into evangelical Christians is both blantant and patronizing. If you're seeking objective information, this is not your best choice. However, if your quest is for ideological justification masquerading as education, you've found the right vehicle.

This is not a dialog DVD but a tool to be used to convert muslim to be Christian. It is not so convincing either. Lots of information about christianity are so confusing. Only positive feedback is Islamic speakers are Muslim and this part is objective.