Paul Luckraft reviews 'Islam: Threat or Truth?' by Andrew Baguley (RoperPenberthy, 2015)

This is a slim volume whose main value resides in the attempt to answer the question posed in the title. The author is issuing a call to Christians to consider what is happening around the world as Islam increases its influence.

The book is described as a teaching manual for those who want to know how to cope with Islam in the modern world and how to witness to those who follow its teachings. However, it is rather too brief and bitty for that. It may indeed stir some to action but they will need to consult other more substantial books if they are to succeed.

Chapters and Coverage

There is a chapter called 'An introduction to Islam', but it merely talks about the different strands of the religion (Shia, Sunni, etc). A later chapter on the growth of Islam is mainly concerned with what has happened in the UK and Europe in recent times.

All of this is important, but it creates the impression that the whole book is slanted towards the idea of the threat of Islam.

Two other chapters worthy of note are those on Sharia Law and the Islamic view of Jesus. This will be very informative to those who know little about these topics.

The author calls to Christians to consider what is happening around the world as Islam increases its influence.

End Times Position

The penultimate chapter is entitled A Biblical Understanding of Islam in the Last Days and it is here that the author's main purpose in writing the book is stated: "to show how the Bible has clearly set out the role of Islam in the End Times' events that herald the Tribulation period of seven years" (p60). The author subscribes to a pre-tribulation rapture position which fuels his desire to educate the Church before it is too late.

Previously he has commented that "the rise of Islam and its world view is another sign of the impending rapture of the church" (p11). However, his particular eschatological view does not affect the main points he generally makes and those who don't hold to this view can still benefit from the information he provides.

This book may stir some to action but they will also need more substantial books if they are to succeed.

Islam: Threat or Truth (72 pages) is available from the publisher for £5.99.