I was privileged to hear the author speak at a recent AMIA (Anglican Mission in America) conference. Bought the book to refresh my memory of his talk. His knowledge of the Muslim faith and culture were "eye opening". Learned lots!!! Things all Christians should know to built relationship in order to advance the Kingdom of the one true God! Highly recommend it... this book will take your head out of the sand and into knowledge; tools that Christians need...

I thought this was a great book. One of the most interesting aspects of it was how much it teaches about Christianity. I've heard the Trinity talked about my whole life, but this book made me really think about what that means. I like the image of God's love spilling over into different persons, that God is a god of relationship and love as first demonstrated by the Trinity.

This book also made me interested to read the Quran.

It's a book that will make you think. It's also very easily readable. I read it as part of a book club, and I think we all liked the book. On a side note, I had a few people notice the book I was reading/carrying and inquire about it, so it's definitely a topic of interest to many folks right now. I think it's a good launching point for learning something about Islam.

Timothy George is founding dean and professor at Beeson Divinity School. He has also been a pastor and editor of numerous Christian magazines. Currently he is executive editor of Christianity Today.

This thinish 159 page volume provides useful information for the Christian about Islam. As the back cover blurb states "The days when Western Christians could ignore the influence of Islam are over."

Not only does Dr George help make Islam more understandable, but he also explains the importance of various differences between Christianity and Islam. Perhaps most importantly, the doctrine of the Trinity is explained, defended and celebrated. Dr George says (p55) "Ironically, the doctrine of the Trinity may be at one and the same time the most important and the most neglected dotrine we hold."

The deity of Christ is another important point for any Christian wishing to examine Islam at close range. Page 62: To call Jesus Lord, not just with the lips but from the heart, is to become a Christian..."

It is at the beginning of the chapter "Why the Trinity matters" (p69) that Dr George answers the question of whether the Father of Jesus is the God of Muhammad "The answer to this question is surely both yes and no. Yes, in the sense that the Father of Jesus is the only God there is...also no for Muslim theology rejects the fatherhood of God, the deity of Jesus Christ, and the personhood of the Holy Spirit-each of which is an essential component of the Christian understanding of God."

I found the testimony of Lamin Sanneh (p102-103) quite moving. It is very reassuring to hear of converts from Islam to Christianity based on sound reasoning. This is especially the case when the convert concerned was a "leading theologian and scholar of Islam".

In chapter six, "Grace for the straight path", we are told "We need grace, not simply guidance" (p115). This points back to page 29, in which we are shown the first seven verses of the first surah of the Qu'ran that includes the words "Guide us in the straight path". I had to pause for a minute to understand this connection - but maybe that's just me.

Dr George counsels the use of both patience and perseverance (p128) in sharing the Gospel with Muslims. This means we need to employ neither "...the vilification of Islam and the denigration of Muhammad..." nor a pluralistic "...cavalier attitude toward truth..."

I didn't find one typographical error in the whole book!

This wonderful book helps the Christian and non-Christian reader understand where the two theologies differ and why the doctrin of the trinity is not what Muslims say it is. THis book concentrates on theology and the different affirmations fo God according to the two faiths, for one it is submission, for the other love. The author does a wonderful job and introducing the reader to these tough subjects and making sense of questions of sin and forgiveness.

Probably the only issue here is that the central theme of the book is not answered fully. A textual comparison has never been done of the New Testament verus the Koran and this is lacking. How is it possible the 'Father of Jesus' who said 'turn the other cheek' be the same god who ordered Mohammed to kill all the pagans in the world? In essence, becuase the history and the context is in the way and because religion by its nature is based on faith/not logic, we are not dealing here with an answer but an anecdote.

Seth J. frantzman

I found this book to be a very good explanation of many questions that are raised in our world today about differences between Islam and Christianity. Timothy George gives a strong answer for the question given in the title, "Is the Father of Jesus the God of Muhammad?" His answer is "yes" and "no." I will leave it to you to read and find out what he means, but I must admit that I agree with his answer completely.

George also brings to light the incredible importance of acknowledging the Trinity as truth. This is a major hangup to the Muslim, but it is a must to the Christian. For all Muslims who use this as a reason to ignore the claims of Christianity, you should read George's answer. Christians do not believe in three Gods! They believe in One God. For all Christians, beware of the temptation to compromise on this issue and lessen the importance of the Trinity. There is no true Christian faith without all parts of the Godhead.

I guess you could say I liked this book and encourage you to read it as well. It will help your understanding on some vitally important issues between Christianity and Islam.