 | Title: From Jihad to Jesus
Author: Jerry Rassamni
Publisher: Living Ink Books
Format: Print book
Reviewer: Lynn Fowler |
Born in Liberia of Lebanese Muslim parents, Jerry Rassamni grew up during the Lebanese civil war, and took up arms in what he calls his “physicl jihad”, the battle against the “infidels”. Before long, he admits, he had become addicted – not to drugs, but to the fighting.
Eventually, though, he grew tired of the hatred, killing and strife, and decided to seek out a new life in America. Through his “personal jihad” (spiritual struggle to enlightemnemt) and the love of his wife, he eventually found Christ as the true and living God and his personal saviour.
This book not only tells the story of his “physical jihad” and “personal jihad”, but then goes on to examine the claims of Islam as compared with Christianity on 5 major issues:
* God – is Allah the same as the God of the Bible? Where did Allah come from, and what are his roots?
* The Word of God – is the Qur'an the true word of God? How does it compare with the Bible?
* Muhammad – was he a true prophet in the Biblical sense?
* Man – is man born in a pure state (fitrah) as taught by Islam, or under the influence of sin, as taught in the Bible?
* Muslim customs and beliefs (Ahadith) – are they from God? How did they originate?
The examination of these questions takes by far the greater part of the book. His approach is the well-studied argument of a man who has had to work through these issues for his own life and faith, and who has had the courage to test what he once believed and find it wanting.
Although there are a few instances where I don't entirely concur with the writer's comparisons and conclusions- for instance in his suggestion that an absense of miracles ruled Muhammad out as a prophet (John the Baptist did not perform any miracles, either) – these are minor and do not detract from the overall value of the book.
In a world where Islam is becoming increasingly active and aggressive (and not just through terrorism); where western governments are increasingly capitulating to the demands of Muslims for recognition and special favor; and where many churches and individual Christians are being deceived into the belief that Islam and Christianity are, if not the same, at least compatible, this book is a must-read. It should be on the bookshelf of every Christian leader, and every believer who hopes to minister to Muslims and those who support them.
Of course, there are some who will not be convinced by it. They will use the very small flaws in the writer's argument as an excuse to throw out all of his conclusions, determined to hold to what they believe regardless of the evidence to the contrary. For those with open minds, however, this book will provide at least some challenging questions – and at best the answers.
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