Rating: 
Summary: Informative and well researched!! A must read!
Review: Norman L Geisler and Abdul Saleeb has done a very good job in properly representing the views and beliefs of the muslim faith and providing the Christian perspective on the issue and her response to challenges made by Islam. A proper view of Islam is greatly needed to confront and correct the stereotype that most Westerners have against Islam; this the authors has successfully done in the first part of their. A balanced view, with liberally sprinkled quotes and references to various sources throughout makes it a well-researched and written book. Simply state, the first part is an excellent factual representation of the Islam view. In the second part, the authors attempt to evaluate Islam from a Christian perspective. They tactfully offer scholarly criticism through evaluation of basic muslim beliefs with a douse of philosophy and logia. I've personally come across similar criticisms confronting islam, but this was minus the usual inflammatory rhetorics which makes it a pleasant reading. However, with all the good points, the authors fell into the fallacy of ad hominem comments against the Prophet of Islam during their evaluation of Islam. To put the record straight however, I believe they felt it necessary to question the prophethood of Muhammad according to biblical criteria since belief in the latter as the last of a succession of prophets since Judaism is an integral part of muslim faith. This I believe is a blot in the otherwise well written book. Apart from this minor point to moot, the other evaluations in this sections on other aspects of Islam are well organised and factually presented. The last section of the book concerns the attempts of the authors to defend the Christian belief over and against Islam. It deals with areas that has long been a target of questioning by inquiring minds (agnostics, atheists, muslims, rationalists etc) such as the authenticity of the bible, the deity of Christ, the Christian doctrine of the Trinity, the Cross etc. Some historical data as well as Thomist arguments are some of the fare and the book gets a little tougher to read as it assumes a familiarity with some of the issues that are brought up. Overall it's a good book and I'd recommend it for serious readers. It's obviously a lot to chew about.
Rating:
Summary: Book thats well-written, fair and is a breath of fresh air!
Review: I must congratulate the writers on the success of this book. It definitely deserves more than three times the 5-star rating! I am another reader from a society with a muslim majority. It is indeed a real jewel whose value can only be appreciated by those who uphold and seek objectivity and fairness in their assessments. The fact that its contents are not just produced by one man, and that the other co-author being a former Muslim increases its originality and authenticity in dealing with Islam. Also, I find it very refreshing that the authors have taken a non-polemicist's approach and avoided the all-too-common controversies, slogan-pushing and emotional name-calling approach. Instead by listing and elaborating in a clear-headed and unemotional way they have suceeded in clearly tracing the history of Muslim-Christian misconceptions and misunderstandings from the scriptures of both sides as well as from the historical development of the two faiths. Of course they answer the main accusations brought against Christianity but this is done in an open-minded and objective manner which is so refreshing compared to the polemics and rash of anti-Christian material practically flooding some markets today. I must say "Kudos and Shabas" to Abdul and Geisler for their good service in providing Muslims with level-headed and clear Answers and should open-mindedness and objectivity get the better of them, Muslims stand to benefit from this excellent, scholarly and yet very readable book.
Rating:
Summary: Islam:Allah Jehova
Review: This book is a good read. I have read Geisler's book about Apologetics and that book requires much more concentration for comprehension.
Geisler presents the differences in the Bible believing Christians and Koran believing Islam's. The book tells of those beliefs generally held by Sunni and Shiite. Shiite believe the leadership flows from Muhammad to Mohammed's grandson et. . The difference between fundamental Islam doctrines are not covered, because doctrinal differences with Christianity are the same. The first two hundred pages is a presentation the two faiths differences ( Christian and Islam ). The rest of the book is the argument about the truth of Christianity.
This book is not about the superiority of Western culture over Middle East Culture. I am pretty sure the author sees none. It is about the source of the two faiths. How the two faiths view God and each others theology. Can a man living on this earth have a relationship with God? Can God be three persons and yet be one God.? Christianity argues yes. Mohammed said no. How is Jehovah different from Allah? Geisler argues the God of the Old Testament is a much more caring God than the one described in the Koran. The Koran teaches that Allah was the God of Adam, Moses , and Abraham. But it also argues that the Old Testament has been corrupted through time. Islam clerics argue that the Koran has not. The point being the Koran argues for a different "God" and a different truth about Old Testament figures.
Geisler cautions very few passages in the Koran deal with Jesus, but these passages argue that Jesus was a prophet second to Mohammed. That Allah would never allow one of his devoted followers to die such a shameful death. That Allah only made it appear that Jesus died on the cross. Geisler tells about many different arguments that clerics give how the deception was carried out.
Also in the book is the difference in views about the nature of Man's disobedience to God. Evangelical Christians believe man cannot over come his own disobedience through service to God and/or good deeds. Islam teaches that entry into a spiritual afterlife paradise does depend on man's ability to have more plusses than minuses. One who practices Islam does not believe in a need for a redeemer.
Geisler also details the difference in how the Koran and the Bible were put together.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent CHRISTIAN Primer for Responding to Islam!!
Review: If you as a Christian are looking for a good book to help you discuss differences of belief with a Muslim friend, then look no more! This volume is an excellent summary by a noted Christian apologist. It is a great start on understanding Islamic beliefs from a Christian perspective. It must be understood from the outset that this book has a definite Christian bias. It is not likely to be warmly accepted by Muslims, nor is that kind of reception its intent. This volume is a Christian apologetic work, summarizing Islam, identifying weaknesses in its major beliefs, then elaborating on the ways in which Christianity is superior to it. Geisler and Saleeb (a former Muslim) begin by describing the Islamic positions on monotheism, creation, prophets, Muhammad, the Quran, and the end of time. They then move to responding from a Christian viewpoint to these positions. The subjects of monotheism, Muhammad, and the Quran are given particular attention. Geisler and Saleeb conclude the main body of their work with a defense of the Bible, the deity of Jesus, the trinity, and the substitutionary death of Christ. Four helpful appendices are included. They describe Muslim sects, religious practices, the Gospel of Barnabas, and Islamic objections to the authority of the New Testament. For a Christian wanting to share his faith relationally with a Muslim friend, this volume is the one to buy!
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Summary: An Excellent Answer & reply to typical accusations of Islam!
Review: Answering Islam is a decent,scholarly and level-headed rejoinder to the typical,twisted claims and bald accusations frequently put forward by Islam on Christianity. That this book is wonderfully level-headed,practically free of polemical anti-islamic wild accusations stands in stark contrast with comparable material circulating around the popular muslim press in a large part of the muslim world eg.Deedat(but already fully refuted by Gilchrist). Instead, two men have put their heads together, one a reputable scholar and the other, someone who has left Islam for the light of Christianity, to reply to some of the false claims and charges brought by muslims. The previous charge of mis-interpretations cuts both ways. Islam has very, very frequently misunderstood and misinterpreted the Gospel and Jesus Christ's teachings extremely arrogantly, blindly and foolishly. Now, That is the height of ignorance. Thats what Geisler and Abdul Saleeb have addressed in both an open and objective way with "Answering Islam", in the most gentlemenly of ways and yet keeping the straight talk un-muddied with malicious slurs and emotional polemics-something which I have difficulty saying about similar muslim writings. Get this book and study it, regardless of what the detractors want to say-it is worth your last cent, then also browse through Dr.William Campbell's "The Quran and the Bible in the light of History and Science"
Rating:
Summary: Islam:Allah Jehova
Review: This book is a good read. I have read Geisler's book about Apologetics and that book requires much more concentration for comprehension.
Geisler presents the differences in the Bible believing Christians and Koran believing Islam's. The book tells of those beliefs generally held by Sunni and Shiite. Shiite believe the leadership flows from Muhammad to Mohammed's grandson et. . The difference between fundamental Islam doctrines are not covered, because doctrinal differences with Christianity are the same. The first two hundred pages is a presentation the two faiths differences ( Christian and Islam ). The rest of the book is the argument about the truth of Christianity.
This book is not about the superiority of Western culture over Middle East Culture. I am pretty sure the author sees none. It is about the source of the two faiths. How the two faiths view God and each others theology. Can a man living on this earth have a relationship with God? Can God be three persons and yet be one God.? Christianity argues yes. Mohammed said no. How is Jehovah different from Allah? Geisler argues the God of the Old Testament is a much more caring God than the one described in the Koran. The Koran teaches that Allah was the God of Adam, Moses , and Abraham. But it also argues that the Old Testament has been corrupted through time. Islam clerics argue that the Koran has not. The point being the Koran argues for a different "God" and a different truth about Old Testament figures.
Geisler cautions very few passages in the Koran deal with Jesus, but these passages argue that Jesus was a prophet second to Mohammed. That Allah would never allow one of his devoted followers to die such a shameful death. That Allah only made it appear that Jesus died on the cross. Geisler tells about many different arguments that clerics give how the deception was carried out.
Also in the book is the difference in views about the nature of Man's disobedience to God. Evangelical Christians believe man cannot over come his own disobedience through service to God and/or good deeds. Islam teaches that entry into a spiritual afterlife paradise does depend on man's ability to have more plusses than minuses. One who practices Islam does not believe in a need for a redeemer.
Geisler also details the difference in how the Koran and the Bible were put together.
Rating: 
Summary: UNADULTERATED BIGOTRY
Review: The book is unadulterated bigotry under the guise of research. Once cannot and should not condemn 1.3 Billion Peoples with the judgemental view of Dr. Geisler. Jesus would be appalled at this book. Dr. Geisler has said nothing new in his book. All of this has already been given to us for over 1400 years. Dr. Geisler should be building bridges with the monotheistic faiths, Catholicism and Judaism and also others. His strategy of confronting Islam with a vengence creates no new friends Chidlren of Abraham (COA): American Jewsihm Muslim Alliance (AJMA)-American Christian Muslim Alliance (ACMA)
New Jersey
Rating:
Summary: Nice to see Islam finally addressed
Review: Islam is the second-largest religion, and many people have continually pointed to it and claiming that it is correct while Christianity is not. Unfortunately, most Christian apologists seem to forget about this faith while trying to prove Christianity. And most of the attempts are half-hearted, usually either only a small part of a book. Until now.
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Summary: Understanding Islam
Review: Norman Geisler is one of America's leading Christian apologists. He is also one of the most prolific, with well over sixty titles to his name. In this volume he teams up with a former Muslin to present one of the most detailed, scholarly and up-to-date-assessments of Islam yet offered by the Christianity community. Answering Islam is a thorough examination of the major teachings and beliefs of Islam. The book is comprised of three main sections. The first deals with the various core teachings of Islam: the Koran, the place of Muhammed, the Muslim's view of man and salvation, and the doctrine of God (Allah). A number of issues are dealt with in these opening chapters, including the place of prophets in Islam, the Muslim concept of creation, the place of Christ in Islamic thinking, and the nature of eschatology in Islam. Were the book to finish here, the reader would have been treated to a wealth of information and insight into Muslim beliefs. But the second section takes us much further, offering an in-depth Christian assessment of some of these doctrines. Three subjects are given extensive treatment: the nature of Islamic monotheism, the person of Muhammed, and the claims of the Koran. Concerning strict Muslim monotheism, a number of issues are covered. The unity of Allah is closely examined, as is the notion of divine sovereignty. The authors show that Allah lacks the personal, loving nature which the God of Judeo-Christian beliefs presents. Instead Allah is seen as harsh, authoritarian and utterly transcendent. Muslims know nothing of the personal intimacy which Christians have with their Lord. Yes, the God of the Bible is transcendent, but he is also immanent as well, making him one to both fear and love simultaneously. And the utterly deterministic nature of Allah makes any concept of personal freedom and responsibility difficult to maintain in orthodox Islam. The extreme fatalism and strict determinism found in Islam result in a master-slave relationship, instead of the close friendship which Christians can enjoy with their God. The chapter on Muhammed is equally revealing and incisive. The authors carefully assess his character, his claims to miracles, and his concept of prophethood. And the chapter on the Koran looks at its claims to being divinely inspired. But the supporting credentials are just not there, argue the authors. Finally, the third major section of the book offers a positive defense of key Christian doctrines: the deity of Christ, the Trinity, salvation, and Biblical authority. As these are main stumbling blocks for Muslims, the authors present a detailed defense of these biblical concepts, interacting with Muslim misunderstandings along the way. On top of all this, there are 6 extensive appendices on such issues as Muslim religious practices, Muslim sects and movements, and Muslim attacks on the New Testament. But most readers will race to Appendix 5, "Islam and Violence". In the wake of September 11, many will want to know if Muslim militancy is an integral part of Islam or an aberration of it. The authors provide a close inspection of the concept of jihad, or holy war. The authors contend that there are plenty of Koranic texts which appear to justify acts of violence and aggression. Indeed, it seems to be an essential feature of Islamic teaching, as found in the Koran and the hadith, or oral tradition of Islam. Both lend support for armed attacks on non-believers. The authors point out that such justification for holy war is not comparable with what appears to be the Old Testament equivalent. This order to fight was limited in both time and place, while the Islamic version appears to be universal and timeless. Warfare in the New Testament is clearly spiritual in nature, and church and state have their separate spheres ("Render onto Caesar..."). But Islam knows no such distinction. Thus political power and religious authority are seen as one by most Muslims. Here, and in many other areas, Islam differs radically from the Christian faith. In an age which appears to see all religions as being largely the same, and in a culture where Political Correctness reigns supreme, it is hard to make theological and ethical distinctions. But that we must do, and this book helps us to do just that in regard to the two main religious movements of our day. Many other good books exist which evaluate Islam from a Christian perspective. However, if you can afford only one, this should be your choice.
Rating:
Summary: Informative and then some
Review: Taking an apologetic view of Islam and Christianity, this book offers something for everyone. Answering Islam is broken out into three main parts to help one understand the different religions. It describes the foundation of the Orthodox Islamic religion followed by the Christian Response to Basic Muslim Beliefs and then closed out by A Positive Defense of the Christian Perspective. To provide a non-biased opinion, the book was written by a Muslim and a Christian author. The book gets into a lot of detail about how the Islamic religion came into being and how it was developed. It then proceeds to show how Christianity compares and contrasts to Islam. This is a great benefit for anyone who has a heart for ministering or just understanding the Islamic religion. To close out the main portion of the book, the reader is brought into the Christian view and shown how to defend Christianity to a follower of Islam. Answering Islam is a must read for missionaries or future missionaries that will encounter Muslim believers. It is a great source of information for those that desire to know more about Islam and their belief system. It is also a great fact filled book for those wanting to know more about Christianity or Cross-Culturalism. Regardless of which area you might fall into, this book is a definite addition to any home library.
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