Islam: An Introduction for Christians (Arab Culture and Islamic Awareness) [Paperback]

Paul Varo Martinson (Author), Stefanie O. Cox (Author), Paul V. Martinson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1994 | Series: Arab Culture and Islamic Awareness

Christians of all denominations will find reliable and up-to-date information on Islam and its relationship to Christianity in this carefully researched and clearly written guide. Ideal for both individual and group study use, it provides an excellent and informative introduction to the subject.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Superficially, this attempt to explain the beliefs, history and faith practices of Muslims to Christians appears to be a commendable foray into religious ecumenism. Upon examination, though, the book reveals itself to be an exercise in religious one-upmanship and facile analysis. This is especially true of a section on Islam in North America that has been added to the translation of a text first published in Germany by the Evangelical-Lutheran and Evangelical churches. Indeed, the intent here often seems more to be the justification of certain Christian doctrines (the Trinity, the concept of original sin, etc.) or of differences between Christianity and Islam. Even more questionable is the specter Martinson raises of a monolithic Islamic fundamentalism (including that of "African-American Muslim Groups") growing here whose "ultimate goal is to Islamize society, to make America a Muslim people and nation." Sadly, such paranoia fans existing prejudicial fears about America's swiftly increasing Muslim population and contradicts the editor's stated purpose of nurturing mutual understanding and respect.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: German

Product Details

• Paperback: 268 pages
• Publisher: Augsburg Fortress Publishers (March 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080662583X
• ISBN-13: 978-0806625836
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #751,353 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good stuff!, November 21, 1999

By 

Connie (Tampa, Florida, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Islam: An Introduction for Christians (Arab Culture and Islamic Awareness) (Paperback)

I thought this book was very helpful. Not only did it address the actual Koranic beliefs of Islam, it also covered the traditions and societal roles of modern Muslims, as well as the history of the Islamic faith. Also, I found the Christian aspects of the commentary to be quite accurate and true to Biblical concepts. On the whole, this book is about as objectively informative as it gets, I imagine. It does not attempt to qualify either faith and appears to be a genuine effort to enlighten and encourage Christian readers in their interactions with Muslim individuals. On a side note, I am personally a Christian, but I have a great deal of respect for the Islamic way of life, as I have had many encounters with truly amazing people who embrace the faith in full. This book only bolstered my respect and admiration for the discipline, nobility, and integrity of devout Muslim people. A great insight into the true Islamic religion!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Balanced Review of Islam, September 23, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Islam: An Introduction for Christians (Arab Culture and Islamic Awareness) (Paperback)

I am a Western educated Muslim reader and bought this book to try and actually understand how a Christian would see Islam and portray it to other Christians. I was pleasantly surprised to find this book written in a fairly objective manner, and even concialliatory at times. It shows a gentler and kinder side of how Christians may want to be; that is to have a more open, empathic, yet non-patronising approach to other religions, especially Islam--a religion that has been unfairly portrayed by the mass media. While this book may be a good introduction from a Christian perspective, I would also recommend another book for those wanting a quick and light overview of Islam, i.e. "Islam for Beginners" (A Writers and Readers Documentary Comic Book) by Nabil Ibrahim Matar, which is also appears to be written for non-Muslims. (This book is also carried by Amazon.)

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What Makes Those Guys Tick?, March 17, 2003

By 

Virgil Brown (White Oak, Texas USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Islam: An Introduction for Christians (Arab Culture and Islamic Awareness) (Paperback)

One of the aftermaths of the World Trade Center/Pentagon attacks
was that there was an increased interest in Islam. People wanted to know what makes those guys tick. _Islam:an Introduction for Christians_ was originally written in Germany in 1990(and translated in 1994) as an ecumenical tool to help Christains understand Islam. Even so _Islam_ is an excellent place to start the study of the world's fastest growing religion.

The chapters of the book touch on a variety of subjects. The first seven discuss Islamic faith: the Qur'an and Mohammed, the Five Pillars, law and justice, the family, and death and burial. Paul Martinson then inserted into the English translation a section on Islam in North America. The third part of the book discusses Islamic movements of the present and past and the emphases of these various groups. The fourth part of the book relates Islam and Christianity. How have these two religions acted as they have encountered each other in the past? What about Jerusalem? How is Jesus addressed in the Qur'an? The last part of the book offers a Christian appreciation of Islam.

_Islam_ again and again comes back to a simplified answer of what makes those guys tick. On page 101 the story is told of a Ms Lahaj who had been a folk singer in Greenwich Village in the 1970's and who rediscovered Islam. "Everything there had been the same for the last 1400 years." The Sharia, the traditional law, as it has been known for centuries has come into conflict with Western values. _Islam_ makes this plain in an anecdote about a chance encounter between a man and the wife of a new Islamic family (page 18), in the chapter on women and the family, in the chapter on marriages between Christians and Muslims, and elsewhere. To this _Islam_ adds (page 133) the note that in the 19th and 20th centuries when Europeon powers practiced colonialization in Islamic countries, the new values introduced by the foreigners presented "profound difficulties" for Muslims.

It is a simplified answer, but that is what makes those guys tick.