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94 of 100 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A balanced and compehensive work, April 7, 2009
This review is from: Inside the Revolution: How the Followers of Jihad, Jefferson & Jesus Are Battling to Dominate the Middle East and Transform (Hardcover)
Without this book, the Western mind cannot begin to comprehend the serious threat that radical Islam poses to the world. This book explains the driving forces behind the critical headlines and global crises we face.
There are 1.3 billion Muslims--Islam is a strong voice. Three movements within Islam are in place to change the world forever, for good or evil: Radicals, who believe violent jihad is the way; Reformers, who believe Islam is good but democracy is the way forward; and Revivalists, who believe Jesus is the answer, not Islam.
Rosenberg provides a comprehensive work on the Islamic Revolution--its past, present, and future. He draws from the Qu'ran, testimonials and textbooks to outline the core beliefs of each movement.
The top five scenarios that trouble the world's military and intelligence leaders are based on the jihadist movement obtaining nuclear capabilities. Iran's President Ahmadinejad, a catalyst and powerful influence, is driven by the conviction that Allah is holding him personally accountable to destroy Judeo-Christian civilization.
In the midst of the volatile situation in the epicenter, is another powerful influence--the Revivalist movement. Millions of Muslims have converted to Christ in recent years. The testimonies are gripping.
Rosenberg has been invited numerous times to speak with congressmen, senators, high-ranking military and intelligence leaders, and foreign ambassadors. Recently, he addressed a group of 125 Pentagon officials on why Ahmadinejahd's eschatology (end time theology) is driving Iranian foreign policy. Rosenberg's presentation is in the book.
"Understanding these three Revolutionary movements--including the crises they are responding to and the answers they are offering--is of absolutely critical importance. Those who ignore these trends do so at their peril."
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Comprehensive views on what is driving Islamic thought..., May 16, 2009
This review is from: Inside the Revolution: How the Followers of Jihad, Jefferson & Jesus Are Battling to Dominate the Middle East and Transform (Hardcover)
I got the chance to read Inside the Revolution: How the Followers of Jihad, Jefferson & Jesus Are Battling to Dominate by Joel C. Rosenberg recently, which was a real treat. Rosenberg spends most of his time analyzing Middle East affairs from the perspective of end-times Christian theology. He's also written a number of political novels centered around Islamic themes, many of which have been eerily played out for real on the world stage, often only months after the book has been released. Inside the Revolution is a non-fiction analysis of what is happening in the Islamic Revolution, what mindsets are driving the power struggle, and what it means for the US and other world powers. While you may not agree with all the conclusions, Inside the Revolution will add to your overall education of the situation.
The three main breakdowns here are as follows:
The Radicals - "Islam is the answer, and Jihad is the way"
The Reformers - "Islam is the answer, but Jihad is not the way"
The Revivalists - "Islam is not the answer, and Jihad is not the way; Jesus is the way"
Our media tends to focus on the first, as it's the most sensationalistic. Rosenberg lays a solid groundwork for the theology behind jihad, and how it is justified. He also makes it easy to understand why this radical form of Islam is so appealing to those of a young age, who want to strike back at the injustices they see leveled at their countries and belief systems. He also goes deeper than typical media coverage, explaining how the "Twelfth Imam" theology of Iran's president makes that country an especially destabilizing force to those around them. By the time I finished reading the Radicals chapter, I had a pretty good understanding as to how and why this form of Islam presents such dangers to the world.
The Reformers section presents a less-often seen view of Islam, the picture of Islam as a peaceful religion, and one that wants to work with and coexist peacefully with those around them. Again, Rosenberg does a thorough job in explaining both the theological basis for this form, as well as the thoughts and views of those who follow this path and are influential within the leadership of Islamic countries. I had a hard time remembering that these individuals are truly putting their lives on the line each day, walking and breathing targets to those who would view them as mistaken and dangerous to the Islamic cause.
Finally, Rosenberg presents the Revivalists, those who are followers of Jesus, and who worship Christ at great cost and danger on a daily basis. These followers are viewed as true heretics by the Radicals, and have little to no protection under Islamic law concerning their lives or freedoms. This is also the group you never see portrayed in mainstream media. It's only in books like this that you realize that the Christian church does exist in the Muslim world, and despite tremendous persecution, continues to grow and change lives.
My biggest complaint about the book is that the American responses as painted by Rosenberg still seem to be largely divided on Republican and Democratic party lines. The standard conservative views tend to prevail, with Republicans being the strongest force to fight Radicals, and Democrats being far too willing to talk and concede until it's too late. Personally, I feel both sides have made numerous mistakes, and I am unable to view all of the Republican stances and actions as pure and well-meaning. But even with that, Inside the Revolution still succeeds as one of the few books available today that paints a comprehensive view of the faces of Islam, and it's well worth reading to enhance your understanding of what's at stake in the coming years.
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37 of 44 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
inside the revolution, April 19, 2009
This review is from: Inside the Revolution: How the Followers of Jihad, Jefferson & Jesus Are Battling to Dominate the Middle East and Transform (Hardcover)
Awesome book; I've read all of Joel Rosenberg's books and found none of them lacking. He has helped me to learn of the current national affairs that almost ALL the media has ignored or been too swayed to see or write. I applaud him on his work, and I also feel that he has had and shared many of the audiences with foreign and homeland leaders. Fox has done well in this area, but CNN and others have bought into the Kool Aid. We need well informed books such as this to give us insight into our current situations, for unfortunately, we are not hearing it from our leaders or media. Rosenberg writes very understandably and gives us the biblical and the current world affairs, which are happening so quickly I am thankful he has a website that can also be checked for daily updates. I would suggest this book to everyone, who, like me, want truth, yet cannot decifer nor depend on getting it from the media. Rosenberg does not slam others, he simply speaks the truth and has an uncanny way of projecting it before it plays out.
I have never quite understood the Muslim culture, why some call it the 'peaceful' religion and yet I see terrorist, etc. This book has opened my eyes to their way of life, Iran's leader Ahmadinejad and his feeling that he must be considered their Iman of prophecy, etc. Rosenberg has met with many who understand this, and others who are thankfully being led out of this radical culture and into the truth of Jesus Christ. He has shown me as no other author the horrible deceit these people grow up in, and the huge destruction they plan to unlease on our world. Unfortunately, he has also shown me the great concern for our nation whose 'socialist' leaders from Obama to many in congress, have either decided to ignore or embraced Islam and chosen to have 'peace talks' with terrorists. I suggest everyone read this book for a greater understanding of Muslim's beliefs and where our world is headed.
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