A Book “Review“: Building Bridges: Christianity and Islam by Fouad Elias Accad

A Book “Review“: Building Bridges: Christianity and Islam by Fouad Elias Accadrn(Paperback)

Tags (key words): Building Bridges: Christianity and Islam , Fouad Elias Accad

Muslim converts to Christianity are not usually well-received in their communities. Many families make the new converts choose between Christianity and family. Some countries actually consider it a capital offense to convert to Christianity. But what if there was a way to reach out to Muslims which would not turn them away and would allow them to remain in their communities as witnesses? In Building Bridges Fouad Elias Accad sets forth what he sees as a possible method for reaching the Muslim where they are without alienating them from family or community.

Accad grew up in Lebanon in the Greek Orthodox church. He spent a large portion of his life studying the Qur'an and Islamic life. He claims a sixty percent success rate for conversions allowing the Muslim to remain in their community. Any missionary to Islam who does not understand the Qur'an and Islamic culture will see little or no success. But the missionary who understands the Qur'an and Islamic culture will be able to show the Muslim, from the Qur'an, how Jesus could be God. And that is the key to success according to Accad, reaching the Muslim where they are.
Muslims and Christians both worship one God. In fact, they have much in common. Although the history between Muslims and Christians has been strained at best, it doesn’t have to be that way. This book supplies readers with the information, concrete examples, and insights necessary when dialoguing with Muslims.

This review is from: Building Bridges: Christianity and Islam

From the beginning of this book you know the author has a true love for Islamic people. Once you have read it, I hope you will feel closer to them yourselves.
I would warrant that a great majority of the Christian community has no idea what Muslim's really believe. Because they do not believe in Christ as God, most simply write them off as unbelievers and give them and their religion no further thought. This book will open your eyes to the fact that Christians and Muslims have a basis for religious dialogue.
The author states that this book is not for Muslims, but for Christians who desire to share Christ with Muslim friends. The key word here is "friends". This book shows that by building friendship through a true caring of his/her Muslim friend a Christian can lay a foundation that allows the sharing of ones beliefs. This book isn't written to confront the disbelieving Muslim with his unbelief , but to build a trusting relationship with him/her that allows you to, lovingly, share Christ.
Accad's book really opened my eyes to the fact that Christians and Muslims are not a million miles apart from one another, but that there are "bridges" that can be crossed in a caring manner.

A Muslim acquaintance of mine once said that there are 3 holy peoples: Christians, Jews, and Muslims. This book shows this isn't the random thought of one Muslim but that there can be a connection between Muslims and Christians that allows for the Muslim to share his deep trust in God and the Christian to share the gift of Christ's love and plan for all mankind.

From: http://www.amazon.com/Building-Bridges-Fouad-Elias-Accad/dp/0891097953