My appreciation of this book stems from several different aspects. Significantly the first impression of Nabeel Qureshi's life as a Muslim born and raised in the United States gives a distinctly different perspective of Islam. With all the sensationalist media impressions garnered from different corners of the globe it is easy to forget that not every Muslim is intent on violence. Demographically, we can be thankful for that reality since one in five people of the world is an adherent of Islam.
Nabeel's family come across as sincere, moderate, peace-loving and family oriented people with a religious/political worldview that, while it sets them apart from the average North American, does not mean that they do not share common values that enabled them to live harmoniously with their neighbours. It is clear that Nabeels family were not part of a problem in American culture, but rather were part of the solution in their moderate interpretation of Islam. But that is not the same thing as saying they weren't particularly devout. Nor is it saying that their particular take on Islam is indicative of orthodox Islam. For that matter nor is it saying that there is such a thing as orthodox Islam. They take their religion seriously, and- if you will forgive the broad strokes- exhibited a sense of morality every bit as decent, and more often exceeding that of the average Westerner.
This unique insight into a Muslim family in America is valuable in terms of showing us an appropriate response to Islam from a Christian perspective. But there is a caveat to that. Nabeel's own admission is that the perception of Islam he grew up with was gradually diverging from that of his parent's own view of Islam- being influenced by Western atitudes, particularly in areas of critical thinking. His parents, being first generation immigrants, arrived in America with an unquestioning sense of the authority of Islam in all matters of faith and conduct. Islam does not treat doubt kindly. While of course reasoning is also a part of Islamic culture, it is pragmatically used against other worldviews and religions and very rarely for internal criticism, such is the authority structure in Islam. In those rare occasions it is advanced in sectarian differences, but not against the most basic doctrines. "Allah is the one and only God and Mohammed is his prophet". So what influenced Nabeel as a second generation Muslim born in America, would not necessarily apply to those whose own upbringing stemmed from a total immersion in Islamic culture.
Nabeel's book is extremely useful in introducing Islamic words, and terms that any Christian hoping to engage meaningfully with Muslims will find essential in their understanding. Yet the book commences with a gentleness and respect towards both Muslims and- as he explains in the Introduction- his "past love for my former faith" that surely would encourage a curious Muslim to read further as well.
Another reason to commend this book is because he reveals the effectiveness and essential nature of reaching people for Christ through Christian apologetics. His bright mind and no doubt Western influence had begun to take root in his life such that he was at length in the place where he was able to both critique the claims of Christianity in a somewhat more rigorous (and yet more just) fashion than he had been taught as a Muslim apologist and, conversely, also to question with academic rigour the basis of his own faith in Islam. Christian apologetics is the discipline of examining various worldviews with a view to defending the Christian faith fairly and honestly. Because the standard of investigation is able to be applied both to Christianity and other religions and philosophies it is an objective measure for the truth.
This was not only a process of his ongoing tertiary education, but also largely in thanks to his everpresent friend and Christian sparring buddy- David Wood who provided both the hand of Christian friendship and the elbow in the ribs to spur Nabeel on in his fervent search for truth. This nuanced book reveals something of the anguished internal struggle to let go of deeply entrenched beliefs within full view of the consequent cost involved. It also speaks of both the necessity of apologetics and its real limitations. When all is said and done- once the intellectual barriers of faith are firmly and ineradicably erased- we are still faced with the existential barriers. I know it's the truth, yet I cannot bring myself to that place where I can bow my knee to Christ. Oh who will deliver me from this body of death?
It is in this place that Nabeel finally finds himself still in great need of a power that can shift him from a place of a grudging mental assent to that of firm commitment to Christ. And here the Holy Spirit comes into his own. Through a series of visions and dreams Nabeel finally capitulates body and soul to Christ. In doing so, Jesus reveals himself as the epitome of true meekness, willing not only to answer all the intellectual difficulties through his friend David, and other Christian apologists, but to extend his mercy to the extent that he almost seems to pander to Nabeels excessive need for irrefutible certainty. This not only serves to exemplify the humility of God, but manifests the powerful grip of a life steeped in an unquestioned and unquestionable tradition.
Nabeel Qureshi distinguishes himelf as a writer with a combination of warmth and scholarship that I would hope one day would make his parents proud.
No comments:
Post a Comment