The Cross & The Crescent [Paperback]

Jerald F. Dirks (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 25, 2001

In The Cross and The Crescent, Dr. Dirks, a former ordained minister (deacon) in the United Methodist Church, a graduate of Harvard Divinity School and with a doctorate in clinical psychology, reaches out to the Christians and the Muslims for an interfaith dialogue. Drawing on his seminary education and thirty years of interaction with Muslims in America and overseas, the author digs deep into the roots of Christianity to bring out obscure information that highlights what was once common between Christianity and Islam. He envisioned that, "In writing this book, I would like to touch the lives of those Christians who have not been given the knowledge that I have gained both about Islam, from my direct contact with Muslims, and about Christianity from my seminary education. I want to share with those Christians, who are willing to listen, what is so often known by their clergy and church leaders, but seldom finds its way into their knowledge of their own religion. Likewise, I would like to reach out to the Muslims, in order to help them understand the religious commonality that they share with Christians".

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dr. Jerald Dirks holds his B.A. and M.Divinity from Harvard University and his doctorate in Psychology from the University of Denver. He is a former ordained minister (deacon) in the United Methodist Church. He has published over sixty articles in the field of clinical psychology and over one hundred and fifty articles on Arabian horses. He has traveled extensively in the Middle East and interacted widely with the Muslim communities in the United States.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Amana Pubns (August 25, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590080025
• ISBN-13: 978-1590080023
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #845,258 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Solid research, comprehensive explanations, MUST read!, July 26, 2003

By 

"falconer" (Tulsa, OK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Cross & The Crescent (Paperback)

Dr. Dirks has drawn the lines in history for us to see. This book gathers together the pieces of so many details, and puts them into a narrative that's easy for the reader to understand. If you've ever wondered about Islam, or the divergeng (and very similar) origins of Islam or had questions about how the two religions differ, this is the book for you!

I look forward to reading his new book, "Abraham, Friend of God." If it's as comfortably thorough as Cross & the Crescent, I"m sure to be pleased!

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent work, July 8, 2006

By 

Ensar Demirkan (Los Angeles, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Cross & The Crescent (Paperback)

This book puts on the table, in detail and correctly, Islamic perspective of Christianity, and to some extend Judaism..

There has been many books written before. But most of them were written by Muslims never met with Christians and has very limited knowledge of Christianity or the only purpose of the book is to attack Christianity with loads of prejudices.. (many books have been written by Christians about Islam in the very same manner... it is a shame) But this one written by a former Christian who has very high caliber knowledge of Christianity and the roots of it. And it is clear that, in short time, he has summoned a great deal of profound Islamic knowledge. Yes, he shakes the foundations of Christianity. But I have to admit that he is much more merciful than Bishop John Shelby Sponge when doing it.

Great read, but the title is misleading. It has nothing to do with interfaith. It is direct comparison and when needed criticism..

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Precise and well researched, September 16, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Cross & The Crescent (Paperback)

A well written book. The author backed up his points and informed the reader when he was expressing opinion. Sources were explained in terms of origin and reliability. I would definitly recommend this book to anyone looking to answer their questions on the relativity of Christianity, Judaism and Islam.