 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Editorial:
"Know Thyself"
Alwyn Thomson
Comment:
Illiberal Democracy
Alwyn Thomson
From
the Director: Good News People?
David W Porter
Balancing
on the Edge
Tony Davidson
Grateful
to God
David McMillan
Space
& Freedom
David Hewitt
Imaginative
Engagement
Keith Getty
No
longer at ease with this dispensation?
Mike Wardlow
Living
with our deepest differences
Os Guinness
Deep
Questions
Johnston
McMaster
Steady
presence
Cecelia Clegg
No
longer lonely
Joseph Liechty
Something
to give
Ingri Sakaria
Bible
study series: Faith in the future
David
W Porter
Review:
The Elusive Quest, Reconciliation in N I by Norman Porter
Bill
Brown
Review:
Journeying Towards Reconciliation, A Song for Ireland by Ruth Patterson
Lynda
Gould
Review:
Islam in Conflict:Past Present and Future by Peter G Riddell &
Peter Cotterell
Alwyn
Thomson
Review:
The R Option - Building Relationships as a Better Way of Life by
Michael Schluter & David John Lee
Anna
Rankin
Review:
Blue Diary by Alice Hoffman
Glenn
Jordan
Summer
School Poetry
Various
For
God and His Glory Alone:
Study 6: Truth
REVIEW: Islam in Conflict: Past, Present and Future by Peter G. Riddell & Peter Cotterell
Reviewed by Alwyn Thomson
ISLAM IN CONFLICT joins the flood of recent books on Islam, and particularly Islam's encounter with the West. Riddell and Cotterell's book does focus on a number of aspects of Islam that have been overlooked or misunderstood in other works. First, they explain the beliefs and practices of Islam, taking it seriously as a religious phenomenon, not merely an ideology or culture. Second, they discuss the relationship between the Quran and Christianity. Third, they address the conflict between Christianity and Islam through the missionary activities of both. That said, this is not a book about the relationship between Islam and Christianity since that is only one aspect of Islam's encounter with the West.
In assessing contemporary Islam in the light of the rise of Islamic fundamentalism, the authors describe two traditions within Islam – the one radical, the other moderate. We hear much about the former, but rarely hear about the latter. While there are some things the West can do to undermine radical Islam, ultimately the key challenge is the challenge facing Islam itself. In the twenty first century Islam stands at a crossroads, but only Muslims can decide which path to take.
At a time when it is all too easy to caricature Islam and demonise Muslims, Riddell and Cotterell's book provides an honest, reliable and readable overview of Islam and the challenges facing it in the twenty first century.
ALWYN THOMSON is ECONI's Research Officer.
 |
||
 |
 |
|