Waging Peace on Islam

Christine writes about the ChristianMuslim interface. Starting with headline issues, which breed more violence and misunderstanding, moves to her model of peaceful interaction, Francis of Assisi. Christine spends three chapters there. Most of the book is snippets of life with family and Muslims mainly in North Africa and Middle East. There is history, mainly the crusades, recent events, stories and documented quotes. The early Islamic expansion and Ottoman growth is omitted. Many of the misunderstandings and prejudices are mentioned and a few thoughts on the original theological differences between Christianity and Islam. Christine touches on the Trinity, a major fixed misunderstanding on the part of Islam. She does not deal with it properly, only anecdotes. Another book about her husband Mazhar, shows he tries to explain the Trinity by Modalism, which is unacceptable. Christine raises topics, incompletely managed with anecdotes, and leaves questions. Biblical quotes with significant bits missing worry me. She suggests that mysticism (Sufi-ism etc. ) provides a common link. But Christ is thus bypassed. Christine uses proscribed meaning prescribed. Entrenched persecution is not mentioned. Little mention of problems living in Muslim countries. But Christine is dealing the approach when we meet a Muslim. The way to make headway is to befriend them, be cordial and kind, non-confrontational. Be as Christ to them. Be salt and light. Be winsome, not aggressive.