A Christian's Response to Islam - Part 1

I'm currently reading A Christian's Response to Islam by James L. Garlow, Ph.D. I found this on the clearance shelf at a local book store for $1.00, and it looked like a gold nugget. All quotes referred to here are attribute to this book.

In my profile I state that I've been studying terrorism, specifically anti-terrorism, since about 1989 and believe that winning the war on terrorism is crucial to the human race. My position is supported by former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:

"In a speech before the U.S. House of Representatives Government Reform Committee on September 20, 2011, former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu soberly stated, 'What is at stake is nothing less than the survival of our civilization. There may be some who would have thought a week ago that to talk in these apocalyptic terms...was to engage in reckless exaggeration. No longer...We are all targets.'" --Chapter 1 - A Different World, pp. 9.

The mainstream media is the man behind the curtain. Pay no attention to them. Observe for yourself what is happening in the world and decide for yourself. "It is important for contemporary believers to 'understand the times.' First Chronicles 12:32 states that the descendants of Issachar discerned the times and knew what Israel ought to do. As followers of Christ, it is imperative that we, too, discern the times - and that we know what we, the Church, ought to do." --Chapter 1 - A Different World, pp. 12.

The current middle-east conflict dates back 4,000 years to two brothers, Isaac and Ishmael, and is a direct result of the animosity between their descendants. The Jews are descendants of Isaac and some of the Moozlums are descendants of Ishmael. The Bible provides a lot of information on Ishmael, including that he was not the child promised Abraham by God, that 'He will be against everyone, and everyone will be against him (Genesis 16:12) -- Chapter 2 - Ishmael and Isaac-Two Brothers Who Changed History, pp. 17, and that "he will live in hostility toward all his brothers (Genesis 16:12)" -- Chapter 2 - Ishmael and Isaac-Two Brothers Who Changed History, pp. 18.

No discussion of the current conflict with Islam is complete without discussing the Crusades. This is a lot like the slavery discussion in America. The majority have no interest in it as we have no direct ties to it and had no part in it. After all, slavery in the U.S. ended 147 years ago and that's ancient history. However, for those that have an interest in it, it is a focal point in their lives and affects their perception of the world. Its much the same with Moozlums and the Crusades. The Crusades occurred in 1099. Yes, there were atrocities committed by Christian armies 913 years ago. "But Muslims remember! Their children are taught in Islamic schools that these were Christians who committed these horrible acts of violence. Muslim children can recite the dates of the Crusades, and they can tell you the stories of what happened to their people. Inaccurate as it may be, in the mind of a Muslim, today's Christian is no different than the soldiers who marched in the Crusades." -- Chapter 2 - Ishmael and Isaac-Two Brothers Who Changed History, pp. 23.

If it is hard to understand the obsession of some with American slavery, it is virtually impossible to understand the Moozlum obsession with the Crusades. Since most Americans don't even know our own history well, a short lesson on the Crusades is called for here. "Jerusalem is mentioned seven hundred times in the Bible. It is not mentioned in the Koran. King David established this Jewish capitol more than three thousand years ago. Through his kingship it gained prominence. Mohammed was never in Jerusalem, except in a vague 'dream' referenced in the Koran. Early Muslims were instructed to pray towards Jerusalem, later towards Mecca. But Jerusalem remains very much in the center of the Jewish-Muslim conflict." -- Chapter 2 - Ishmael and Isaac-Two Brothers Who Changed History, pp. 22.

Arab Muslim armies conquered Israel in 650 A.D. and controlled it for the next 450 years. "In 1100 A.D. Pope Urban II called for armies to retake the Holy Lands in the name of Christianity." -- Chapter 2 - Ishmael and Isaac-Two Brothers Who Changed History, pp. 22. Between 1100 and 1300 there were 8 military campaigns known as the Crusades. The Christian armies, know as Crusaders, overthrew the Moozlums and gained control of Jerusalem and part of Israel for about 150 years.