Customer Reviews

Christianity in an Age of Terrorism

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

 

 

This book was written soon after the events of September 11, 2001. Throughout the book the author raises serious questions. Where was God when 9/11 happened? He was at Ground Zero. Chapter three discusses Holy Wars - Muslim and Christian. Writes the author on page 48:  One of the great mysteries of the human condition -and a great proof of our twisted, sinful condition - is that legalistic religions tend to be more popular than religions of grace. People prefer the Law to the Gospel, even though the former plagues them with guilt, frustration, and moral failure.
The author continues: On the deepest level, Islam and Christianity are opposites. One is a religion of sheer Law. To be sure, it can be morally impressive. But it can also be intensified into a stifling, oppressive legalism, whether politically or spiritually, grounded in the fear of transgression, making it, literally, a religion of terror. The other is essentially a religion of sheer Gospel. Christianity affirms the Law, too, but always in conjunction with Gods grace, which internalizes the Law and makes it an expression of freedom.
A serious discussion of secularism and terrorism is presented in chapter 5. The author writes: The battle for Western civilization currently underway is indeed not a battle against Islamic radicalism. To save the west from the enemies who would destroy it will take an intellectual battle against some of its own ideas. (p77). In this chapter the author explains areas of difference and explains their origin. Chapter 6 discusses Christian citizenship. Chapter 7 is titled Wars and Rumors of Wars. The book closes with chapter 8 The New Cultural Climate. It closes with : Some today think that all religions of he world are the same; that is to say, equally good. Others agree that they are the same but conclude that they are equally bad. Perhaps Christians, who believe in the Gospel, should agree with the secularists: The worlds religions are all wrong, insofar as they result in self-righteousness, self-digitization, and a seared conscience that justifies wickedness in the name of its false gods, The Gospel, in contrast, puts its trust in Gods action , not our own, trading sin for forgiveness, hate for love, and glory for the cross. In an age of terrorism, Jesus Christ is the only security anyone can have.

Veith sets out to answer the question where was God on 9/11?

He answers in this short expose on looking at our culture, the terroists culture, history and the two kingdoms of God for clues to God's presence among us.

Primarily does he correctly point us to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, who in Christ redeemed a rebellious world.

His stress on vocation and call, and on the two kingdoms is very well done. Writing at a level where the uninformed can grasp these deep, profound theological concerpts, he then applies them to this intense time of change in American culture.

The only thing this reviewer found questionable was his classifying African-Americans as rapidly acception Islam, which with the little I have read is incorrect. Black Muslims are not true Muslims, see "The Nation of Islam" by Steve Tsoukalas.

He does a most excellent job distinguishing among the world's religious choices between those of law and those of gospel.

This book is good reading, since it sets on off thinking about critical issues, especially so in time of threat and danger. Turns the reader toward the crucified solution to it all.

Gene Edward Veith, Jr. is fast becoming an author of good repute.
It is one thing to write well, another to have a strong knowledge
of the subject matter based on fact and not emotion in the guise
of knowledge. You may be from a religious background of
legalism (to which no one can live up to), or an atheist, but no
matter what your theological or philosophical perspective you
will profit from reading this book. Even if you don't agree,
you may find yourself looking at your own belief system and
seeking validation. Does a belief that legalism and works
come from God, our from mans desire to create a god in his
own image to be manipulated? I don't want to say more at
this point so as to detract from your reading. Prof. Veith has
said much in a 140 or so pages. It is not a long and burdensome
read, but could be profitable for you, your friends and relatives.
It could be a doorway to other valuable reading, which is often
ignored because we might prefer those works that give us the
upper hand and not God. Christian, Jew, and Muslim, etc.
would profit from reading this book by looking at the questions
it poses as well as the answers. I have obtained a number of copies for friends and family.

Gene Edward Veith, Jr. is fast becoming an author of good repute.
It is one thing to write well, another to have a strong knowledge
of the subject matter based on fact and not emotion in the guise
of knowledge. You may be from a religious background of
legalism (to which no one can live up to), or an atheist, but no
matter what your theological or philosophical perspective you
will profit from reading this book. Even if you don't agree,
you may find yourself looking at your own belief system and
seeking validation. Does a belief that legalism and works
come from God, or from mans desire to create a god in his
own image to be manipulated? I don't want to say more at
this point so as to detract from your reading. Prof. Veith has
said much in a 140 or so pages. It is not a long and burdensome
read, but could be profitable for you, your friends and relatives.
It could be a doorway to other valuable reading, which is often
ignored because we might prefer those works that give us the
upper hand and not God. Christian, Jew, and Muslim, etc.
would profit from reading this book by looking at the questions
it poses as well as the answers.