Dr. Bryant Wright does a thorough job of explaining the Biblical roots of the tensions in the Middle East along with the post-Biblical historical background. I particularly enjoyed the chapter on "the Islamic perspective" where he discussed in more detail the birth of Islam in the AD 600s and its spread throughout the Middle East. That chapter alone inspired me to research the history of Islam more carefully. The book is a well-researched and in-depth look at why the Middle East turmoil will continue until the return of Jesus Christ. The discussion questions at the end make this a good candidate for small group study.
The challenge, of course, with any book of this nature is to avoid the temptation to demonize the followers of Judaism or Islam. Dr. Wright stresses the need to pray for both Jews and Muslims and for the peace of Jerusalem. I couldn't agree more. "Love your enemies," Jesus said. "Pray for those who persecute you." As Dr. Wright notes, Christianity is the only faith of the three Abrahamic religions that stresses the need for love and forgiveness. We are wise to remember that Christ died for the sins of all of us - Muslim, Jew and Christian - and that He is not willing that ANY should perish but that all should come to repentance.Labels: Book reviews