Noah's Other Son: Bridging the Gap Between the Bible and the Qur'an

The author, Brian Arthur Brown, is a minister of the United Church of Canada, which initially concerned me as I was looking for a most unbiased analyzation between the Bible and the Qur'an. However, I am happy to report that this book celebrates the similarities between the Abrahamic religions and promotes faith with "eyes wide open" as opposed to the "blind faith" that breeds such hatred and misunderstanding between the members of Abraham's family. Recognizing the importance of Judaism as a Foundation, Christianity as a Spiritual Temple, and Islam as "the Dome roof over this family shrine," we find that each religion only enriches the other. I have passed this book along to co-workers and friends; always returned with high praises.

This is an excellent book for both starters and people who are already deeply investigating the three branches of Abrahams family. There are so many interesting angles and perspectives, that I'd say it's a "must read" book.

This is a must-read for anyone interested in the world's sacred texts. A clear, well written, well researched comparison of Islamic, Jewish, and Christian versions of the stories of Abraham's disfunctional family should put the "fun"(read that as 'joy' and 'peace')back in the disfunction among these groups. Taken seriously, it could do more for world peace than any current political, economic or military actions currently in use. Don't pass this one up.

In this enlightening integration of sacred stories and persons common to the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim faiths, Dr. Brian Arthur Brown (minister of the United Church of Canada) allows Qur'anic verse to add depth and meaning to messages from the `God of Abraham'. Using scriptures from each tradition, (Jewish, Christian, Muslim), and acknowledging the Torah as a "prequel" to Christian Scriptures and both as "prequels" to the Qur'an, Dr. Brown presents 'common' sacred stories that have relevance in our modern world. Although the integration of these scared texts would seem enough of a challenge for one book, Dr. Brown goes further, translating the messages into modern day application - a sermon or two from each story. Thus, the reader not only receives the expanded richness of these Sacred Stories, the reader gets to ponder their meaning for today's inhabitants of God's earth. There may be at least three main purposes of this book. In the first instance, Dr. Brown seems to be calling us to be closer to God, so that we can be closer to each other, in an attempt to turn-the-tide in the ongoing feud within what the author refers to as the dysfunctional `family of Abraham'. A second purpose may be to inform the Judeo-Christian community of the similarities between their Sacred Scriptures and the Islamic community's Scared Texts, and to invite this Judeo-Christian community to consider the contribution the Qur'an has to offer toward enriching their understanding of God's messages. And, thirdly he may be encouraging Islamic scholars to open the Qur'an to critical analysis and share the quest to unravel the many mysteries of God's word. These multiple purposes present a broad mandate, perhaps too broad for today's book market that seems to respond better to simple, single themed fables than thoughtful answers to the multifaceted challenges of real life. In my view these purposes are worthy, and Dr. Brown does an excellent job of addressing them. The book is highly recommended for group study and individual reading. Dennis DeWilde, author of "The Performance Connection"

NOAH'S OTHER SON: BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN THE BIBLE AND THE QUR'AN examines over twenty figures who plan major roles in both the Old and New Bible Testaments and the Qur'an. Author Brian Brown is a Canadian minister ministering in communities where Christian majorities interact with Muslim and Jewish minorities: his purpose in NOAH'S OTHER SON is to bridge gaps between Islam and the West through considering common religious experiences and images. Even readers well versed in Christianity may be surprised to learn that women who are nameless in the Bible have their records in the Qur'an, and that Noah had a rebellious other son who refused to get on board the ark and thus drowned. A top pick for any serious spirituality collection.