The Cross & The Crescent

Rating:
Summary: Solid research, comprehensive explanations, MUST read!
Review: Dr. Dirks has drawn the lines in history for us to see. This book gathers together the pieces of so many details, and puts them into a narrative that's easy for the reader to understand. If you've ever wondered about Islam, or the divergeng (and very similar) origins of Islam or had questions about how the two religions differ, this is the book for you!

I look forward to reading his new book, "Abraham, Friend of God." If it's as comfortably thorough as Cross & the Crescent, I"m sure to be pleased!

Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Read
Review: Having read this book and taken a class on comparative religion with the books author, I can say that it is truly fascinating book. For me who was baptized and confirmed as Lutheran, I found it amazingly interesting what the christian theologians know and do not tell the laity. The information is easily verifiable by reading the book with a bible in hand, page by page, reference by reference. I was particularly interested in the comparisons between the religions and their similarities and also their differences and what those differences are based on or found in. Especially given that most the time answers are available but the Pastors, Preachers, Deacons, and Reverends will tell you to just have faith. Which to me is a cop out. I have gotten from him a list of books that you can further read, the apocrypha, that shows the true foundation and teachings of the original christianity. For anyone who likes history and religious study, this is an absolutely fascinating and educational read, despite the review from the reader in Colorado who purports to be from Harvard. Even if you don't agree with someones point of view we all can always learn from each other and this is an excellent learning tool for such learning. Does it matter what the Authors religion is?? He doesn't say because it is not the focus, what he teaches in this book is, and it is good.

Rating:
Summary: Good effort to bridge gap between Islam and Early Christiaty
Review: It is a very good effort to bring to light the similarity between Islam and early christianity. Though Quran differs significantly from canonical gospels, it is surprising to note how Quranic depiction of Jesus is so similar to the popular description of Jesus among early christians, at least till 5th century CE. The author has really done justice to this topic. It is hoped that this book will bring both Muslims and Christians together to appreciate the depth of commonality which exists in both Islamic and Christian traditions. Only if the masses knew them! Highly recommended for students of comparative religion.

Rating:
Summary: A brilliant analysis of the holly scriptures
Review: The author presents a thorough analysis in showing differences and similarities between Judaism, Christianity and Islam. This book can be of a lot of help to any person who is seeking the truth about God, the world, the purpose of life...etc. The author presents very valuable arguments and proofs, based in most part on the Judao-Christian scriptures themselves, to show the different misconceptions about Jesus Christ within the contemporary church. In addition, by reading this book a Muslim can learn a great deal about Christianity and may enforce his knowledge about Islam.

Rating:
Summary: Lots of useful information
Review: This book gives a reader lot of useful information, either a christian or a muslim the author gives a indepth information of both religion. I would highly recommend this book for anyone who is interested in doing a comparative religion study.

Rating:
Summary: Top-25 All-Time Worst Books/Just go buy a Qur'an...
Review: This book is amazing. Everything is documented and more than one reason and explanation and proof is given, so that if you do not believe one type of proof, there is still ample proof to buy the argument. While it is true that this might not be much of an interfaith dialogue, and it mainly concentrates on the truth about christianity, and the original scriptures, this issue should be put aside, and the actual message from the book should be taken. If you are slightly open-minded, you will love this book, but if that's not the case, then try to take the writer's proof in account in your future beliefs...

Rating:
Summary: Great logic, Solid proof, and depth of analysis...
Review: This book is amazing. Everything is documented and more than one reason and explanation and proof is given, so that if you do not believe one type of proof, there is still ample proof to buy the argument. While it is true that this might not be much of an interfaith dialogue, and it mainly concentrates on the truth about christianity, and the original scriptures, this issue should be put aside, and the actual message from the book should be taken. If you are slightly open-minded, you will love this book, but if that's not the case, then try to take the writer's proof in account in your future beliefs...

Rating:
Summary: Top-25 All-Time Worst Books/Just go buy a Qur'an...
Review: This book makes my Top-25 All-Time Worst Books. Why?

EXAMPLE #1 (NO CUT-AND-PASTE COMPILING IN THE QUR'AN?) Dirks says, "There has been no cut-and-paste compiling..." This is NOT true. In Pickthall's (and Pickthall is a Muslim) translation of the Qur'an, he makes this note about the last revelation given to Muhammad: "The period of revelation is between the fifth and tenth years of the Hijrah." This is CUT-AND-PASTE COMPILING, at it's best. Surely, Dirks MUST know this.

EXAMPLE #2, Dirks has no problem quoting-verbatim-the "corrupted" Bible when it serves his purposes. Otherwise, the Bible is just to "corrupted" to trust.

EXAMPLE #3, Dirks maintains that a Christian should "tithe." This is lunacy. The New Testament does NOT teach that a Christian should tithe.

EXAMPLE #4, Dirks maintains that the birth of Jesus "[usher]ed in yet a third time in which history pivoted..." No, Mr. Dirks, the execution ushered in a new-and a final-way in which God deals with humanity.

Literally, dozens upon dozens of examples could be cited where Dirks is just flat wrong.

Buy a Qur'an. Read it. Then you will have a better understanding of what Muslims believe.

Rating:
Summary: Very well written
Review: Tirelessly researched and very informative. There are certain parts which are wishful thinking on part of the author, but those instances are always identified as so and never misleading or manipulative.

The Book is a must for it's clear and concise explanations of the Muslim faith if not for the textual discoveries and theories.