Ask Your Muslim Friend

For centuries there has been little engagement between Christians and Muslims that hasn't been based on antagonism and fear. The result is that many Christians don't have much knowledge of Islam and what motivates its followers. This little book attempts to narrow the divide with understanding, sympathy and repentance. It covers Islamic history, including its encounters with the West, beliefs, Islamic groups, the Koran, its objections to Christianity and how to engage with these objections.

This book was a steep learning curve for me, but I enjoyed most of it! There were some tragic eye-openers, too, particularly Mohammed's first experience of Christian churches: Christianity displayed no unity, but was 'a jumble of small groupings arguing with each other. These could be identified primarily by their forms of outward worship. The adoration of the Virgin Mary was similar to the idol worship of the Arabs. As a result, Mohammed condemned it as idolatry.'  How different history might have been if the Church had been unified around the gospel (or Mohammed had been able to read the Bible)! 

Maurer has many practical insights on how to love your Muslim friends well and how to share what you know about Jesus with them in a non-confusing way. Practically, it's meant that in the last few months I've dared to start conversations I'd never have started before, but was surprised to find that Muslims were far more eager to talk about faith than my secular friends. A very helpful book indeed. 

Lane Butt