Journeys of the Muslim Nation and the Christian Church.

Journeys of the Muslim Nation and the Christian Church. By David W. Shenk. Waterloo, Ontario, Scottdale, PA: Herald, 2003. 283 pages. Paper. $14.99.

Following ten years of educational work in Islamic Somalia and six years of teaching comparative religion and church history in Kenya, this Mennonite author now assists in coordinating interfaith activities for the Eastern Mennonite Missions headquarters in Salunga, Pennsylvania. This book is concerned with Muslim/Christian dialogue.

With modest knowledge of Islam, I discovered this book most helpful in providing a detailed portrayal of contemporary Muslims and their beliefs and practices. For example, Shenk explains the meaning of sunnah (following "the way" of the prophet Muhammad), Hadith (the collected traditions about the Prophet circulated during the first two centuries of the Muslim era), and the Shari'a (the ongoing judgments of authoritative Muslim teachers regarding how to obey the Qur'an as the revelation of Allah's unchanging will)--terms frequently used in current commentary about events in Iraq and the greater Middle East.

The author has more than an academic understanding of Muslims and their faith. He grew up in a devout Muslim home. Since becoming a Christian many years ago, he has remained in close contact and conversation with Muslims. Examples of these interfaith dialogues are sprinkled throughout his book.

The author's comparative treatment of Islam and Christianity has clear apologetic intent. Shenk's overall purpose is best expressed in his own words:

Journeys of the Muslim Nation and the Christian Church is not for the
sake of arguing with the Muslims; rather it seeks to commend the Messiah
of the biblical scriptures to all readers, both Muslim and Christian.
This book demonstrates both a concern for Christian distortions of, as
well as Muslim misunderstandings or objections to. the Gospel. It is
also concerned about Christian distortions of Islam and the Muslim
community. (p. 10)

The first two chapters describe the nature of the Muslim nation and the Christian church and provide an overview of history. The remaining chapters, intended as resources for a three-month study, draw heavily on qur'anic and biblical sources to offer detailed comparison of dimensions of the two religions. Shenk shows where Islam and Christianity converge and where they differ. In a dozen chapters, each ten to fifteen pages long, he describes and compares Islamic and Christian perspectives on the topics of creation, the nature of grace and mercy, Jesus as Messiah and Muhammad as the "seal of the prophets," the Qur'an and the Bible, revelation, power in the Hijrah and the cross, the holy cities of Medina and Jerusalem, the unity of God, the place of pilgrimage, prayer and fellowship, and the understanding of global mission.

Shenk seems to present Islamic beliefs and practices in a sympathetic and fair manner, although a more thorough evaluation of his presentation must be left to others who are experts in Islam. Clearly he wants all readers, Muslims and Christians alike, to gain a favorable picture of the Christian faith and its foundational document, the Bible. He acknowledges the biblical writings as emerging from history, in contrast to the Muslims' claim that the Qur'an transcends history, but he does not always demonstrate a grasp of historical and theological study of the New Testament. For example, he too facilely points to texts in John's Gospel--in particular, Jesus' words in Jn 2:19, "Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days"--as direct evidence that the historical Jesus viewed himself as the new temple. This and other examples demonstrate little comprehension of Gospel texts, particularly those in the Gospel of John, as heavily shaped by the post-Easter faith and life of Christian communities of believers. Of course, Shenk wants to combat the Muslim charge that the Gospels distorted who and what Jesus was, but he needs to do so by means of the best of New Testament scholarship available.

Pastors and study groups in church communities, with knowledgeable leaders, will profit from a close study of this book. The time is ripe for congregations to embark on a serious study of Islam and actual engagement with persons of the Muslim faith. Shenk's book may be helpful in this larger endeavor.

James L. Bailey, Professor Emeritus

Wartburg Theological Seminary