Abstract
David Shenk’s latest addition to the Christians Meeting Muslims series received Christianity Today’s 2016 Book of the Year award in the Missions/Global Church category. As in his previous books, Shenk’s love for Muslim people and his earnest desire for them to understand the Gospel and embrace Jesus flows through the pages of this book. He also offers a clear but gentle rebuke to Christians, particularly in the U.S., who fear, vilify, and caricaturize Muslims, showing how this hinders obedient Gospel witness. Filled with personal accounts of the author’s decades of interaction with Muslims in many parts of the world, this book encourages as well as informs.
Christian. Muslim. Friend. offers 12 “paths” or principles for building genuine, open relationships with Muslims, beginning with “live with integrity” and ending with “commend Christ.” Shenk acknowledges that, given the diversity and variety of Muslim belief and practice around the world, the ways these 12 paths find application will vary depending on the context. Of particular interest is his description of Islam and Christianity as having different “centers.” At the center of the Muslim umma (community) is the Qu’ran. At the center of the Christian Church (community) is Jesus, the Lamb of God. In spite of many commonalities between the two faith systems, these different centers produce profound differences in worldview.
Although this book is not an “introduction to Islam,” even readers with little or no knowledge of Islam will find it understandable and helpful. Given the increased contact with and access to Muslims in today’s world, all Christians would benefit from reading Christian. Muslim. Friend.