Books read in March 2008 (4)

1. The War on Terror: How Should Christians Respond? by Nick Solly Megoran

This is an eirenic, challenging and informative book. Though the author identifies himself as a pacifist he does faith fully give other views. He also has a very good survey of political analyses of the current situation. One cannot argue with the command to love our enemies. We should certainly show love to those Muslims around us. But I fear pacifism does not have a good track record in halting Islam. I think the author may be naive about the intentions of Islam as a religion for world domination. He often quotes Lloyd-Jones but does not relate how The Doctor firmly placed the Sermon on the Mount in the realm of personal ethics, not political or military. He also seems to be factually in error thinking American bombing destroyed Kabul. it was the Muhjadeen fighting one another after the Russians left that destroyed the city. In citing John Paton as one who loved his enemies he appears ignorant of Paton supporting and directing gun boat diplomacy, the shelling of cannibals who killed missionaries. Paton supported thi rightlys believing it would protect missionaries from further attacks.

2. Retrieving the Tradition and Renewing Evangelicalism by Daniel Day Williams

I confess that I have always found patristics a dull subject and this book by a professor of the subject is no exception. As far as i am concerned he is preaching to the converted too. His target seems to be American free church people not those of us who put themselves in the reformed camp. The author believes that most Protestants have thrown out the baby of tradition with the Sola Scriptura bath water. But Scripture does teach about a tradition being handed on and there is much to learn from early church councils. Coming from a church that is confessional and not anti-creedal I do not need to be convinced that one's faith is catholic. The author gives us some good accounts of the early church leaders and denies that everything went downhill from Constantine.

3. On the Wealth of Nations by P.J. O'Rourke

O'Rourke is easier to read and shorter than Smith buy he is still not easy going. You need to pay good attention to the arguments. They did indeed influence the world and we are given good information on the historical context of Smith's writing. What I missed was any reference to the origin of Smith's title. It is a biblical quotation. O'Rourke is guilty of the occasional inaccuracy and non sequitur. It was the city council of Geneva, not Calvin who had Servetus executed.

4. Global Jihad: The Future in the Face of Militant Islam by Patrick Sookhdeo

This book is aimed at politicians and the military to show the aggressive nature of Islam. The author's contention is that classical Islam is inherently a religion which must dominate the whole world and it will do so by jihad. He shows that violence has characterised Islam ever since Mohammed was in Medina. He paints a disturbing picture as he analyses Islam ancient and modern. The main hope for a peaceful future he believe lies in encouraging moderate elements to reform their religion but the problem here is that by Islamic standards, it is wanting the bad guys, the compromisers with liberal democracy, to take the lead in reformation. The history of jihad is horrible in terms of the slaughter involved. Even more disturbing is the doctrine of taqiyya, dissimulation, where the end, promoting Islam, justifies the means, deceiving non-Muslims. He shows how Muslims often have one message for their own and another for outsiders. One can but conclude that the only Muslim testimony to be trusted is the one from your Muslim friend whose veracity is established. This book is a warning call to the West that it is under threat from islam ideologically and demographically. it is a stern wake up call. It shows the religion of peace only brings peace a peace when you submit to Allah. There is clear and present danger. It includes the nuclear ambitions of Iran as well as popular support for terrorism. The author is involved in Christian misssion though his book is silent on the Christian hope that transformation comes when Muslims see the way of Christ, not that of Mohammed is the only true way to know God.