What Every Christian Needs to Know About the Qur'an

Did you know that Muslims believe in the virgin birth of Jesus? Did you know that the Qur'an teaches that Christians believe that God is three gods forming a trinity made up of a father, son(Jesus) and surprisingly, Mary. These and other interesting facts are brought out in this educational critique of the Qur'an by James White. The history of the Muhammad and the Qur'an are both given as far as possible from historical/traditional accounts. What the Qur'an teaches about Jesus is examined, as also are so-called 'proofs' that the Christian Bible foretold of Muhammad's coming and status as prophet. White shows that their own document does not stand against some of their tests for the holiness of the Christian Bible.

It was very show more interesting to find that Muhammad apparently did not know exactly what the New and Old Testaments actually said when he wrote the Qur'an. He seems to have gotten his information on the Torah and Gospels from hearsay and observation of 'churches' rather than from the documents themselves. It was particularly fascinating to see learn that although Jesus is viewed as a great prophet, and apparently a sinless one as well, Muhammad is the greater prophet, despite having sinned and been forgiven by Allah.

I would disagree somewhat with White's declaration that the best way to share the Gospel and honor truth is to enter into another's worldview and their theology. I do not need to know or understand a person's false notions about baking cookies in order to teach them how to make them correctly. I just need to know the right way to make cookies. When God sent Phillip to the Ethiopian Eunuch, Philip did not have to enter into the man's worldview or theology to get him to want to talk about the Gospel. Perhaps I am too critical, but I just feel as though I need to mention these things. I am not discounting the helpfulness and at times the necessity of understanding worldviews or theologies, I believe that a biblical case may be made for that also. I simply do not think that it is imperative to do so since the Gospel is the power of God to salvation, not logical demolition of worldviews. Apologetics may lead to presenting the Gospel but the apology is not the Gospel itself, which is affirmative. So do I think that every Christian needs to know these things about the Qur'an? No.

But I really liked this book, this information would be very helpful to have when God brings along opportunities for us to share the Gospel with Muslims. Let me end with a point that White makes in response to a Muslim Criticism of Christianity, it struck me funny: "Islamic apologists make much of the so-called 'Synoptic Problem' in the New Testament studies. When you study the synoptic Gospels(Mathew, Mark, and Luke)…… you discern differences between them. Which makes sense - what would be the purpose for three carbon-copy gospels?"

Thanks to Bethany House publishers for sending me a free review copy of this book!(My review did not have to be favorable) show less

This book is a scholarly work about the Qur'an that does not pull punches. It may be too technical for some, but for others looking for more than an elementary study of comparative religions, this book is for them. I found it fascinating, accurate, and eye-opening.

There is a general and popular misconception that the Christian Bible and the Muslim Qur'an are essentially the same book with a different cover. This could not be further from the truth, and to be intellectually honest, one must study the differences to make such a claim. "What Every Christian Needs to Know about the Qur'an" is not only for Christians, but for anyone wanting to know about what the Qur'an says and how it was written.

Great book on the Quran from a Christian Scholar, his knowledge of Islam is breathtaking and really seeks to make you understand what muslims believe about the Quran without all the propaganda that sometimes occurs with people writing about another religion that is not their own

A textbook from my course at Reformed Theological Seminary called “Christian Encounter With Islam.” Dr. White does an amazing (and irenic) job of a brief history of Muhammad and the birth of Islam and a scholarly approach examining the Qur’an.

A great recourse for anyone...

A great resource for understanding the foundations of the Islamic faith from a consistent and fair Christian view.

From Daniel Christensen