The Challenge of Islam to the Church and Its Mission
Patrick Sookhdeo’s book is an unusually honest, authoritative and courageous appraisal of what he regards as the challenge of Islam to the Christian Church and its mission. The language he uses deserves an award for plain English.Sookhdeo presents us with a book that should be compulsory reading for every politician and minister of religion, to say nothing of all who care for the cultural future of the countries of the Western world. Its essential message stands in stark contrast to so much of what is claimed for Islam by our political leaders, the leaders of the Christian Churches and Muslim authorities. For instance, when Westerners speak of Islam as a ‘religion of peace’ they have a very different understanding of peace than peace as defined in Islam. In addressing further fundamental issues he returns frequently to other areas of linguistic confusion, a prime example being the contrast between the meaning of love in Christian terms and love as it is expressed in Islam.There is then the question of the integration of Muslims in even a nominally Christian society. Sookhdeo claims, very persuasively, that this is just not possible. It is prohibited by the teachings of the Qur’an and the ministry of Muhammad. In these the Muslim is always regarded as superior to the non-Muslim.Perhaps even more startling is the author’s assertion that whilst Christianity is all about the inner transformation of those who would follow Christ, in Islam appearance is all important. To pray and to fast at the right times; to say the right things; to observe the necessary rituals: these are paramount. The inner life of the individual is a secondary concern.Read this book and learn. It is refreshingly spin free.