Light in the Shadow of Jihad

In the immediate aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001, Dr. Ravi Zacharias sat down to collect his thoughts, and wrote this book. First off, he looks at good and evil, and calls on America to return to morality. Then he looks at the struggle between truth and falsehood, and asks questions that Muslims must answer. The next chapter of the book looks at prophecy and the modern Middle East. And, the final two chapters ask the questions of where was God, and where do we go from here.But, don't stop there. Be sure to read the appendix, which is entitled, "Steadying the Soul While the Heart is Breaking." It is a very touching postscript.In many ways I feel inadequate in writing this review. I wish that I could easily boil down Dr. Zacharias' thoughts, but this book is just not like that. It is a book that came from his soul-searching, and it made me search my soul as well. If, as a Christian, you are willing to peer into your soul, as you prepare for the years ahead, then I would highly recommend that you get this book.

This is a small book, but it says volumes. I read it in two short settings, there's just so much content that I had to allow it time to digest.I don't think I would have picked it up on my own, simply because I've had my fill of the tragic events of 9/11 and the aftermath. I received it as a gift and it came highly recommended. From the time I opened and perused it, I was captivated.I now feel that my own healing process has begun; not only for the events of 9/11, but for other tragedies in my life as well. I feel obligated to say that the author is Christian and the book is biblically based. There was a time in my life when that may have offended me, and I would have wanted to know. However, there can be no greater love than God's love and this is the message of this wonderful text.

It's been a long time since I've enjoyed a decent, well structured, set of essays. Having recently waded through a relatively pointless Umberto Eco novel and struggling with the light-weight redundancy of the "Left Behind" series, I found Ravi's carefully wrought essays a refreshing wind of intelligence. For anyone inclined to things multi-cultural this little gem is a must. There are few observations that are particularly prophetic in the light of the more recent blood letting in India. Do your mind a favor.

This is finally the book that I have been waiting for that really, REALLY gets to the heart of the matter of 9/11. It is a quick read but is definitely not a light read.I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes to think deeply about issues. After reading this book, I personally realized how many other people along with myself, were in the dark about the real issues of 9/11.This is a must read for America!

This is the first book that I have read that deals specifically with the 9/11 attacks. I always find Dr. Zacharias' approach to the great and terrible issues of our day to be sound, clear, and well thought out, with the entire logical ramifications in perfect order. Moreover, Dr. Zacharias has that rare ability to meld mind and heart in his theology, so much so, that I prefer his style to many of his more popular peers.So what are we to make of the 9/11 attacks? Dr. Zacharias devotes six chapters, plus an appendix to covering this vexing question. I suggest reading the appendix first, got get a thumbnail of the arguments used in this rather slim book.Chapter One sets the stage for the book, reminding us of what all this worry is about. Our memories too often are like the Short Attention Span Theater, with all segments not being over seven minutes. Sometime reality doesn't make it to the commercial break.Chapter Two is a discussion of moral absolutes. Dr. Zacharias has come up with a concise definition of why moral relativism is bankrupt:"Rarely have I met a true relativist. Hidden somewhere in the words of everyone who argues for complete relativism is a belief that there are, indeed, some acts that are wrong. The bottom line is this: When someone says that all truth is relative, he or she is making either a relative statement or an absolute one. If it is a relative statement, then that statement, by definition, is not always true. On the other hand, if the belief that all truth is relative is absolute, then the very statement itself must be denied, because it denies absolutes. The pure relativist cuts off the branch on which he is sitting while telling you the branch cannot be severed. The landing is mind-shattering." (p. 20)In logic, this is called the "Self Inclusion Fallacy."In Chapter Three, Dr. Zacharias discuses the essential nature of Islam, weather it is good or bad. ...I think that we make sweeping generalizations against Islam, since the key to understanding the two Islams is how one translated "jihad." Dr. Zacharias makes the case that Islam is not inherently evil, but that the fundamentalists have hijacked it He spends some time discussing the blasting cap book of radical Islam, "The Missing Religious Precept," which focused on the negative, violent definition of "jihad."Chapter Four is an interesting chapter that deals with Biblical prophecy about 9/11. We have read the Nostradamus "pious frauds," but this is the first time I have read a specific hermeneutic or theology on the attacks. Dr. Zachairas focuses on the Image of Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel, and the incidents surrounding the birth of Ishmael and Isaac. The lineage is important, since so much depends on weather Ishmael or Isaac had the birthright.The question of God's presence or absence during the attack is the subject of Chapter Five. I think Dr. Zacharias raised a poignant question, when he suggested a thought problem. If God appeared to you, and announ