A Review of The Dark Side of Islam

This book contains a series of conversations, which focus on how Christianity differs from Islam. These two Christian authors are eminently qualified to cogently explain the teachings of Islam and accurately dissect them using the scalpel of God’s word.

Their conversations span eight chapters and cover basic doctrines in Islamic and Christian teaching. These doctrines include the authority of Scripture, God’s character, the Trinity, sin, salvation, and Christ’s death and deity.

Saleeb, a pseudonym, is a Christian convert from Islam. He speaks with great knowledge and clarity and includes numerous insights as a result of his Islamic background. The final chapter, which is also the book’s title, explains the Islamic justification for its violence and terrorism. Numerous quotations from the Koran and other sources are provided, which will aid the reader’s discussion with others on this vital point. Saleeb also states that many Muslims desire to live in peace.

At the heart of their conversations is a pulsating desire for a faithful witness of Biblical truth to Muslims. While realizing the difficulty of this task, their conversations provide the basis for a better understanding of Muslim thinking and Biblical answers to Muslim doctrine. Thus readers can be better equipped to witness to Muslims.

A sobering part of their conversations for me was the reminder that so many evangelicals cannot provide a Biblical explanation for the authority of Scripture in all of life or of the Trinity. Until evangelicals commit themselves to knowing Biblical teaching in the areas covered in this volume, their witness to Muslims will be all the more difficult. Thus an added benefit of this volume is the grounding of the reader in basic Biblical doctrines. By setting forth such doctrines, the reader can be better equipped to witness not only to Muslims but also to any nonchristians.

Through the authors’ engaging conversations, readers are encouraged anew regarding the truth of Christianity and that it alone provides valid answers not only to Muslims but to all who hold to a nonchristian religion. Sproul’s and Saleeb’s passion for the Great Commission should strengthen all readers in their desire to more consistently witness to all who are strangers to gospel truth.