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Book Review: What Every Christian Needs to Know About the Qur'an

Why This Book?

If you're going to read a book about Islam, this is not the only book you should read but this must be one of the books you read! Approaching the issue from a biblically grounded and thoroughly theological perspective, James White seeks to present the Islamic doctrines of God, Jesus, Salvation, and the Scriptures. He quotes extensively from Muslim original sources and Muslim commentary on those sources to ensure that Christians get a fair and representative view of these doctrines. But this is not merely a presentation of Islamic doctrine. White also undertakes to offer a solid Christian response on an exegetical, theological, historical, and text critical level. This is one of those books that will take you deeper than you thought you could go and yet still maintain a sense of clarity for how the minutia fits in the grander scheme of the discussion.

What You Never Knew You Needed To Know

The Trinity, the cross of Jesus, the inerrancy of the Bible…these are all topics that most Christians are generally familiar with due to basic exposure in the church. But it is often when we're challenged on these important doctrines that we begin to embrace them more fully and articulate them more clearly. Though, before we get to that point we have to pass through the fires of study.

(1) Trinitarian Monotheism - When you sing the doxology on any given Sunday or around the dinner table, "praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost," you are expressing historic Trinitarianism. But from a Muslim, or more specifically from a Qur'anic perspective, this looks like tri-theism (worship of three gods). But Dr. White simply and clearly points out, "Trinitarianism is not the opposite of monotheism, of which there are various forms. Monotheism can be unitarian…" (60–61). Reading this book will help you become more grounded in your trinitarian orthodoxy and know how to interact with your unitarian Muslim friends. (see VIDEO)

(2) The Centrality of the Cross - Without the crucifixion and resurrection of the divine Son of God there is no Christianity (1 Cor 15:13–19). Yet you might be surprised to find that only 40 Arabic words in the Qur'an form the whole basis for the Islamic rejection of this truth: "These forty Arabic words stand alone in the Qur'an. They stand alone without commentary in the hadith literature as well. They stand against not only the natural reading of other Qur'anic text but also against the entire weight of the historical record. Forty Arabic words written six hundred years after the events they describe, more than seven hundred fifty miles from Jerusalem. Forty Arabic words that are not clear, not perspicuous, and yet this is the entirety of the foundation upon which the Islamic faith bases its denial of the crucifixion, and hence, resurrection of Jesus Christ" (142). Reading this book will help you get more grounded in the centrality of the cross for the gospel. (see VIDEO)

(3) The Unchangeable Word - "The Word of our God will stand forever" (Isa 40:8). "Heaven and earth will pass away but my words will never pass away" (Matt 24:35). "No change can there be in the words of Allah" (Qur'an, Surah 10:64). There is a very clear similarity between this biblical doctrine and the Islamic doctrine. The Qur'an also claims that Allah sent down the Torah (Law) and the Gospel (Surah 5:44, 46). So, you might be surprised to then find out that Muslims also believe the Bible as it stands today, even in its Hebrew and Greek, is corrupted almost beyond usefulness. This discussion may be the most important thing you gather from reading this book as it will help you learn how to navigate using the Bible in a discussion with Muslim friends. (see VIDEO)

How Will This Book Help Equip You

As you read this book you will receive a lot of information, argumentation, and solid interaction. And as you read this book you'll also find yourself being equipped for your own discussions on this issue…from the local coffee shop to a cross-cultural context.

(1) You can learn a method of interacting with the holy book of Islam in a fair, respectful, and thorough manner that doesn't shy away from asking hard questions.

(2) You can learn what it looks like to respectfully disagree with someone of another faith and yet not shy away from pointing out inconsistencies.

(3) You can learn what the main issues are that come up in these discussions and find yourself growing more confident it articulating the Christian position.

So, I highly recommend picking up this book and reading it for all its worth. Then, may the Lord grant us many discussions with Muslim neighbors and friends, and the loving boldness to point them to the truth about Jesus.

Big Brother