Recent Reviews

The Cross and the Prodigal - Luke 15 Through the Eyes of Middle Eastern Peasants

Moderator — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:57:15 +0000

"Islam continues to read the parable of the prodigal son as a denial of both the incarnation and the atonement...." - Introduction to the Second Edition, p. 13 The Cross and the Prodigal successfully addresses this challenge.

Readers may also enjoy a companion book, Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes - Cultural Studies in the Gospels, in which Bailey uses his mastery of Middle Eastern culture to provide a deeper understanding of Jesus in his cultural setting.

Kenneth Bailey spent four decades serving Arab Christian churches of the Middle East. He holds degrees in Arabic language and literature and in systematic theology. His Th.D. is in New Testament.

The Ayatollah Begs to Differ – The Paradox of Modern Iran

Moderator — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 18:22:47 +0000

The author, Hooman Majd, is the grandson of an eminent Ayatollah and son of an Iranian diplomat. Now an American citizen but with an insider’s knowledge of Iran's values, customs, and pride in its Persian heritage, he explains Iranian history and contradictions to Western readers in an entertaining and enlightening commentary. Along the way, he provides useful insight to Shia Islam - the Muslim minority - which forms the majority of Islam in Iran, Iraq, Bahrain, and Lebanon.

Three Cups of Tea

Moderator — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 03:43:04 +0000

Three Cups of Tea can be hard to find in public libraries because of its popularity with book clubs. It provides a compelling, personal glimpse of life in the war zones near the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan and in the Kashmir region of Pakistan and India. Along the way it airs the political strategies of each side and suggests that weapons are not the best way to ensure peace and security.

Mortenson is certain that "the only way we can defeat terrorism is if the people in this country where terrorists exist learn to respect and love Americans, and if we can respect and love these people here. What's the difference between them becoming a productive local citizen or a terrorist? I think the key is education."

His humanitarian organization, Central Asia Institute, is dedicated to that goal, and Mortenson's genuine, compassionate love for Muslims, which is met by genuine, compassionate love from Muslims, shows what is possible.

The Kite Runner

Moderator — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 19:53:20 +0000

The Kite Runner is a touching story about friends, family, and one man's powerful need to make amends for a wrong, even one that lies hidden in the past and on the opposite side of the wo

Understanding the Hadith

Moderator — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 21:44:03 +0000

Understanding the Hadith provides unusual insight to core beliefs and practices of Islam that are rarely mentioned anywhere else. Examples follow:

Is The Father Of Jesus The God Of Muhammad?

Moderator — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 00:58:36 +0000

The book is highly readable, thoughtful, and non-polemical. It does not harangue the followers of Islam with attacks on their beliefs.

Paul Meets Muhammad

Moderator — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 19:38:27 +0000

The biblical Christian faith and the beliefs of Islam teach opposite things about the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Not Without My Daughter

Moderator — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 00:33:44 +0000

Not Without My Daughter is a story filled with harsh reality, sudden turns, suspense, and hope.

Not Without My Daughter

Moderator — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 20:17:26 +0000

Filmed in Israel in 2001, the movie intends to show that the cultures of America and the Middle East are worlds apart, and it tries to help the viewer understand what Betty Mahmoody and her daughter e

Unveiling Islam: An Insider's Look at Muslim Life and Beliefs

Moderator — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 18:20:08 +0000

Unveiling Islam clearly contrasts the insecurity, fear, and militaristic spirit of Islam with the compassionate "fear not" spoken by Jesus that so thrills the hearts of Christians.

Turtles Can Fly

Moderator — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 04:52:58 +0000

Winner of ten international awards, Turtles Can Fly is the first movie to be made in Iraq since the fall of Saddam.

Children of Heaven

Moderator — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 15:38:45 +0000

Children of Heaven is a 1997 Iranian film.

How to Respond to Muslims

Moderator — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 22:32:19 +0000

This practical booklet is part of a series designed to show Christians how and why to share the gospel with people who are caught in a web of false beliefs.

Islam in the Crucible: Can It Pass the Test?

Moderator — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 18:33:42 +0000

Political correctness was not brother Richard's strong suite.

Kabul Beauty School: An American Woman Goes Behind the Veil

Moderator — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 02:24:44 +0000

Kabul Beauty School reads as easily as a novel.