The Nearest in Affection Towards a Christian Understanding of Islam by Stuart Brown. Valley Forge, Pennsylvania: Trinity Press International, 1995.

Abstract

I fully agree with Stuart Brown that many conflicts between Christians
and Muslims occur because of misunderstandings due to both parties' ignorance
of each others' beliefs and, in some circumstances, the deliberate misrepresentation
of both faiths by their members. I also fully agree that people
have to work hard within their community and use their abilities to resolve any
conflicts that arise in a very peaceful manner. However, many atrocities that
have been committed throughout the world should not be attributed to religion
per se but to those who use religion and abuse the ignorance of their people
about religion for worldly gains.
As regards this book, the first question that comes to my mind is, for
whom did Brown write this book? I fail to understand how the contents of this
book can help Muslims or Christians understand each other in a better way.
First of all, the book's language is not for the layman. Second, anyone who
reads this book must have an extensive knowledge of Islamic history in order
to grasp the author's points. This book was not written for persons with little or
no knowledge of Islam (whether Muslim or Christian). In order for one to
understand the concept of this book, one has to have knowledge of both religions.
A large portion of the book has nothing to do with its title "The Nearest
in Affection." Most importantly, I have never read a book that does not provide
references. I could not confirm many statements made by the author. In my
opinion, this book will cause more confusion for non-Muslims than it will help
them to understand Muslims.
A few specific statements need to be clarified or corrected. For example,
Bmwn explains that "Arabs held that it was Isma'il who lay on the altar." The
correct statement is that Muslims believe this, because there are many non ...