Islam an Intro for Christians

Superficially, this attempt to explain the beliefs, history and faith practices of Muslims to Christians appears to be a commendable foray into religious ecumenism. Upon examination, though, the book reveals itself to be an exercise in religious one-upmanship and facile analysis. This is especially true of a section on Islam in North America that has been added to the translation of a text first published in Germany by the Evangelical-Lutheran and Evangelical churches. Indeed, the intent here often seems more to be the justification of certain Christian doctrines (the Trinity, the concept of original sin, etc.) or of differences between Christianity and Islam. Even more questionable is the specter Martinson raises of a monolithic Islamic fundamentalism (including that of ``African-American Muslim Groups'') growing here whose ``ultimate goal is to Islamize society, to make America a Muslim people and nation.'' Sadly, such paranoia fans existing prejudicial fears about America's swiftly increasing Muslim population and contradicts the editor's stated purpose of nurturing mutual understanding and respect. (Sept.)