“Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” —Jesus Christ

Are you concerned about the growing rise of Islam? Do you feel powerless to stand against the tide because you do not have enough information? Do you feel that the increasing population and influence of Muslims in the United States is a matter that is relevant to Christians?

Through the Eyes of Christ will give you step-by-step instructions, drawn from Christ’s example, to respond to the rising Muslim population here in America. You will learn how to minister and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ by using references to Jesus from the Muslim’s holy book the Qur’an (Koran), and, with the leading of the Holy Spirit, pray with Muslims in the name of Jesus. This startling and life-changing information will empower you to bridge the chasm that separates us from the Muslims who live among us. It is a scripturally supported call to action. A call to live out our Christian faith and change the world.

“Each chapter of this book is infused with practical Biblical teaching with the view of leading a person to Christ. I highly recommend this book . . .”  (Roy Oksnevad, Director of Muslim Ministries, Billy Graham Center at Wheaton College)

To read more about Nikki Arana go to: www.titletrakk.com/author-interviews/nikki-arana-interview.htm

To order a copy  go to: www.nikkiarana.com/through-the-eyes-of

Two of the issues Muslims often raise with Christians are; ‘how can God be three in one’ and ‘hasn’t the Bible been changed or corrupted’? Steven Masood’s book deals with the second of these questions in a helpful and clear way.

His basic approach is to compare the Bible and the Qur’an, to defend the historical and textual integrity of the Bible, and to point out, contrary to popular Muslim opinion, that any difficulties with the Bible are matched by those of the Qur’an. He shows that the manuscript evidence we have to establish the text of the Bible is as good, and even more comprehensive, than that of the Qur’an. Then he deals with so called errors and contradictions in both Scriptures, clearly showing that many of the criticisms of the Bible by Muslims have in fact no ground. Furthermore, if the Qur’an were to be examined in the same way some Muslims attack the Bible it would be open to many problems.

A useful chapter deals with the ‘Gospel of Barnabas.’ This medieval forgery is often referred to by Muslims as the original gospel. In the final two chapters Masood explores the claims that the Qur’an is miraculous and superior to any other literature, and that the Bible has been abrogated.

Steven Masood is a Pakistani follower of Isa al-Masih. Although his approach may upset some Muslim and Christian readers alike, the matters he outlines in this book is a clear and forceful presentation.

The book is helpful for the Christian who seeks to interact with Muslim objections but it is also suitable for the Muslim who wants to understand the Christian and historical responses to such textual issues.  In the end it is an invitation to the reader to look with an open mind at both Scriptures and examine their content to find the way of salvation.

For more about Steven Masood go to: www.stevenmasood.org

To order a copy go to: www.JesusToMuslims.org/publications.html

Into the Light is subtitled 'A young Muslim's search for truth', and is published by a Christian organisation, so it was fairly obvious that the book was going to chart the course of someone from an Islamic background deciding to follow Jesus.

That was indeed the overall plot of this autobiographical book. The author, whose original name was Masood rather than Steven, was born into a family who belonged to the Ahmadi sect of Islam in Pakistan, considered heretics by the mainstream Muslims. Masood was a thinker and questioner from a young age, and often spotted inconsistencies in what he was taught at school and in the mosque. He was a very devout Muslim from a young age, but wanted to know answers to his questions - and could not understood why his relatives and teachers simply got angry with him rather than trying to address his concerns.

As he grew up Masood continued studying and questioning, often suffering violence as a result. When he was 18, and still insistent on finding answers, he had to leave his family home since so many people wanted to kill him. He describes fairly vividly the ways he felt God led him to places and people who could help him, and the intellectual steps he took before, in his twenties, committing his life to Jesus as a Christian believer.

There's a lot of action in the book; I found it quite a page-turner, and interesting as I read about his background. On the other hand, the writing is quite terse, and there's little characterisation. I wanted to know what would happen, but could not feel any real empathy with the author. Perhaps that doesn't matter - he writes from an intellectual and factual rather than emotional viewpoint, after all. But I felt it could have been a lot more moving and thought-provoking if it was also more emotive.

I was also a bit disappointed that the book ended where it did. It doesn't go on to describe what happens after the author makes his Christian commitment, and then has to leave the place where he's been staying. Evidently he succeeded in life, since he had the book published, and then went on to do his degree and become a professor, and that would probably also make an interesting story. Still, overall I thought it worth reading. (http://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/2008/06/into-light-by-steven-masood.html)

For more about Steven Masood go to: www.stevenmasood.org

To order a copy go to: www.JesusToMuslims.org/publications.html