Customer Reviews

Encountering the World of Islam

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

 

 

5 Stars for the books Content: "ZERO" stars for Kindle version - I would give a negative.

The Book is a valuable resource because it has many persons contributing to the perspective. The chapters, and articles are written by a plurality of authors, all of whom have great field experience in Islamic contexts.

More than enough depth in content (details) to inform us about Islamic history, thought, and current day issues, yet easy to read.

I appreciate the TONE of the book. It promotes loving dialogue, and building relationships. Don't be afraid to befriend and embrace Islamic people and families. We share lots of common ground, a deep desire to love God, and similar desires for our family & community. We Christians have MUCH more in common with Islamic neighbors than we do with our secular, pluralistic, postmodern, or naturalist neighbors who live, look, and speak like we do.

Perfect for URBAN PEOPLE wishing to understand their Muslim neighbors better. The great resource for Churches wishing to understand and engage in dialogue with the Islamic community around them.

Also a must read for Short-term workers, Short-term missions teams, and interns. A great book to introduce people to the Islamic world-view and mindset.

Does a great job taking away the needless fear of dialogue and building relationships with Islamic people.
Some very practical insight about how to answer some of Islams most probing questions in a loving manner.

KINDLE VERSION IS A MESS & SUCKS- It is a total MESS (Buy a hard copy) Kindle is a mess because the book has little inserted articles at the bottom of the pages that will span the bottom of two facing pages - The kindle does not convert it well. You are reading and then stop mid sentence- To begin the small inserted article at the bottom, then pick up the original reading at the top of the next - then the second half of the inserted article at the bottom of that page. It's so chopped up it is VERY annoying and you are flipping back and forth trying to make sense and piece it together for one coherent read.

Not worth the CRAZY kindle price either. Get a hard copy for the same price.
Andy Rayner

I can summarize the book in one word: CHRISLAM.

Additional Themes in the Book:
- Ecumenical and liberal Christianity.
- Traditional Church & conservative Christian bashing. Many Christians are biased, prejudiced, and bigoted toward Muslims.
- Swartley proudly claims that the views of Muhammad, Islam, and Muslims portrayed in this book are constructive and unbiased (i.e. Muhammad, in the context of 6/7th century Arabia, was actually a progressive reformer). When Swartley believes that an author's article isn't as balanced, unbaised, compassionate, graceful, loving, understanding, sensitive, respectful, etc. toward Muslims as it should be - Swartely, as editor, provides the "unbiased" correction via a commentary before the article to set the record straight.
- Anti-Reformers; Anti-Western Culture.
- Anti-Israel; Pro-Palestinian. The establishment of Israel in 1948 on "Arab land" was an immense injustice and has no biblical/theological significance.
- Muslims are victims; Muslims are misunderstood; Muslims are oppressed.
- Syncretism: A blending of Christian & Muslim practices; A blurring of the line between the true God of the Bible and the false god of the Qur'an.
- Arminian/Semi-Pelagian/Synergistic views. Man-centered theology.
- Muslim culture absolutely sovereign; The Gospel of Jesus Christ must be "contextualized" to Muslim culture instead of to Jesus Christ & the Bible [Insider Movement (IM) Methodology; C1-C6 Spectrum]. Avoiding/minimizing persecution is of the highest priority no matter how much truth and one's relationship with Jesus Christ is compromised.
- Never offend, debate, or argue with a Muslim. Never criticize Islam, Muhammad, and the Qur'an. Only "dialogue" that is positive is appropriate. Proselytism is not supported. Avoid or mistranslate Biblical words and concepts (i.e. change "Son of God" to "Messiah") that are offensive to Muslims.
- Only God's love, compassion, mercy, and grace are discussed. God's judgment and justice minimized or avoided. Repentance and the Lordship of Jesus Christ is minimized.
- The concept that Muslim nations will be associated and/or aligned with anti-christ in the end-times is abhorred.
- Muslim-authored materials about Islam and Muslim culture & history are superior to Christian-authored materials.
- Incarnational Apologetic Methodology is emphasized over other apologetic methods.
- Swartely calls on all Christians to regret and then personally apologize for any wrongs commited against Muslims in the name of Christ (Crusades, imperialism, political & economic oppression, etc.).
- According to the book, Christians and Jews, being monotheists, can say the first part of the Muslim Shahada, "There is no god but Allah," with a clear conscience. Muslim background believers (MBB's) can still say the entire Muslim Shadada, There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the Prophet of Allah," publically to Muslims without compromising or syncretizing his/her faith in Jesus Christ as long as the words of the creed are secretly/privately reinterpreted by the MBB's.

Notes/Comments:
- This is a primary textbook for the Introduction to Islam 531 course at Liberty University!
- The real number of genuine "born-again" conversions to Christ are grossly exaggerated with false Muslim converts. This gives the illusion of successful, pragmatic results that is then used to justify the IM Methodology.
- Most authors suffer from Stockholm Syndrome, especially Swartley.
- When the New Testament methodology of missions, preaching, and teaching used by Jesus and His Apostles in the 1st century are used by Christians today, Swartley and most of his fellow authors would probably consider us to be racist, ignorant, biased, prejudiced, hateful, bigoted, islamophobes.
- If you're interested in personally being a part of the great apostasy (2 Thess 2) in the context of liberal Muslim Missions or are interested in learning about those who are - this is the book for you.

This is an excellent and informative book on Islam. May it find its way into every home so we can understand this growing religion and challenge us to reach out to its followers.

There are many longish books on Christianity and Islam..this book although 500 pages long is very readable and also practical. As well as informing us about the history of Islam and the beliefs of Muslims it also takes us around the world to the main Muslim people groups. It informs us how Christians can relate to Muslims so that we avoid causing hurt or offence and can commend our Christian faith to them.

I would seriously recommend this book to anyone with an interest in Islam. I read it while I was overseas and liked it so well and recommended it so highly, I had to sell my copy to someone before I came home!

I would not recommend this book to anyone; it does not worth the money and the time. I can find the same unreliable facts anywhere.