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Cross and Crescent: Responding to the challenge of Islam
Colin Chapman
IVP, 2002 (new edition), 346pp, £9.99
Review
first published on fish.co.uk. in March 2002.
A remarkable number of books on Islam have appeared since September 11. Remarkable, that is, when you consider how long it normally takes to write an publish a book.
The reason for the rapid response is that not many of them are actually written in response to September 11. Either, like this one they are older books suddenly reprinted, or the author was lucky enough to be just finishing a book on Islam already.
It's tempting to make snide comments about cashing in - believe me - but unfair. Because this is a book to grab with both hands and, well, read. As long as you don't expect a chapter about al-Qaida, it's a superb introduction to the Islamic faith.
How to respond to Islamic terrorism is the great issue of our time. We can't ignore it. We can't shoot it. We can't mean well and hope for the best. Surely any Christian and civilised response must start with understanding it.
Cross and Crescent is a very helpful contribution. It is written by a Christian, for Christians, but with great sympathy and respect for Islam, and it sets out from the start to break down Christian preconceptions and unhelpful attitudes.
It is a lot more than either a religious studies textbook, or a How To Convert Muslims handbook - though there is plenty of factual information, and a chapter on sharing your faith. But the main focuses of the book are learning what it is like to be a Muslim, and discussing what attitudes to Islam Christians should take.
It's enormously readable, and there is lots of material written by Muslims. My only gripe is that it doesn't have an index, which is plain silly.
how to respond to Islamic terrorism is the great issue of our time. We can't ignore it. We can't shoot it. We can't mean well and hope for the best
