Answering Islam: The Crescent in Light of the Cross

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Summary: Nothing New!!
Review: I read this book before converting to Islam. Now I am more convinced that Islam is the last message of God after the distortion of the holly books of Judaism and Christianity through the centuries. This book does not add anything new to discuss. It lacks seriousness as it is supported by very weak arguments. The authors alone, and maybe their close friends, might give credit for this book, and nobody else. If you like to read a book that critisize Islam for the sake of envy and zealotry, you may get this book.

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Summary: Orientalism At Its Most Shameless
Review: This book serves as a fine example of the age-old orientalist attempt at discrediting an eastern religion. Though the introductory chapters dilineating the very basics of Islam are accurate, the authors completely shatter their credibility in the chapters that follow by displaying a gross misunderstanding of Islamic theology as well as establishing their poor scholarship. Any individual who has so much as the most minute of civil relations with a traditional Muslim will attest to the fact that this book is clearly geared towards the ignorance of the West. As somebody who has lived in the Middle East amongst the Muslim people, I would assert that the intentions of this book are to indoctrinate the lay person with distortions and untruths about one of the world's most important religions. Geisler and Abdul Saleeb belong in the same class as Johnny Cochrane and our beloved President.

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Summary: Excellent! Must read
Review: This book gives a very good perception of Islam in the first part, clearing some of the common Christian misconcepts about Islam. In the second part, authors are trying to compare the Claims of both religions and evaluate. Second part of this book will help any Muslim if they want to know the truth.

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Summary: Medieval Thoughts Remain in the Era of Knowledge
Review: Same accusations toward Islam have been launched by some orientalists during "Crusaders' wars" and now their works are considered irrelevant worldwide. The writers must revise first, the Second Vatican Council's recommendations toward Islam (1965) to peel their zealous illusions, and second, the yearly Jesus Seminar's researches (held by more than 200 bible scholars and scientists) to be acquainted with the last findings about Christianity. Finally, both objectivity and real contributions are imparative for a thesis to be valuable. Unfortunately, this book is prejudice and offers nothing new.

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Summary: Comprehensive and Well-researched Volume thats Relevant.
Review: This Volume by Geisler and Abdul Saleeb is substantial and covers all the aspects pertinent to the discussion ie.'Answering Islam'. Firstly, the contribution of Abdul is valuable as he was a former Muslim (who has converted to Christ) and his input gives credance to chapters 1 to 6 on the Basic doctrines of orthodox Islam as a first-hand source for the tenets. Secondly Geisler himself properly evaluates the Muslim views and preconceptions of divinity, revelation and prophethood and replies to the typical Muslim charges towards their Christian 'cousins' and being the fine apologist that he is, culiminates his Christian Response section with a defense of Salvation by the Cross. His approach is both sound and scholarly, with systematic & step-by-step assessments of the similarities and points of differences between Christianity and Islam. This Book will greatly benefit BOTH non-Christians and Christians alike who are interested in the subject and will certainly give them value for their money. The Appendices are comprehensive; throwing light on sectarian and cultic strands & interpretations of Islam, the 'gospel of Barnabas' and tracing its sources, showing it for the forgery that it is; and even not avoiding popular muslim accusations against the New Testament. Finally, theres a good Glossary section, an even better Bibliography (with Both Christian and non-christian Authors) and an excellent Suggested Reading section-for further research and study. ALL these are found in One Volume -what more can one ask for the layman as well as the specialist !

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Summary: A Deeply Flawed Book
Review: I am a convert to Islam from Catholic Christianity. The first part of the book seemed to me to actually be an excellent introduction to Islamic belief. The second part, however, was deeply flawed in its grasp of the Qur'anic religious traditions-- in spite of the first part of the book! The second part of the book is disconnected from the first part-- as if they are two independent writings. The authors present only an "evangelical" understanding of Christianity. This attempt at a Christian refutation of Islam does not address the portrait of Islam given in the first part. Instead, the authors focus only on certain trends and opinions within Islamic thought. They portray these trends and opinions as standard and commonly accepted, which they are not. The authors appear to have failed in their attempt to grasp some key Islamic concepts, and have certainly failed to apprehend and present the breadth and variety of Islamic thought. I would not consider this a valid scholarly comparison of Christian and Islamic thought and belief. I would consider it useful as an example of negative inter-faith polemics.

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Summary: Neither well written nor well-researched.
Review: I read "Answering Islam" & found that an irrational fear of the religion of Islam and a deep-seated prejudice against the Moslem people is the major theme of this book. Basically, the authors have used the same type of fuzzy logic to promote hatred for & suspicion against the religion of Islam as many Christians have, since time immemorial, used against the Jews and their religion.

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Summary: Not terribly informative
Review: If you want to read a good book about Islamic faith and piety, look to a more fair and scholarly account of Islam and Islamic history, like Annemarie Schimmel's "Islam" or Marshall Hodgson's three volume work "The Venture of Islam." While this book pretends to be fair, you'd be better off reading more respected and objective books about Islam and the Islamic civilization.

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Summary: Should Read This Book With a Muslim
Review: I read this book and presented to one of my muslim friend, and he had the answer for each and every question that was raised in this book. I think author was not very well aware of the subject he was writting.

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Summary: The best book ever writen on Islam?
Review: Excellent scholarly exposition and evaluation of Islam. The data used seems most reliable (much coming from moslems themselves), the arguments are logically valid.