Radical: Exploring the Rise of Extremism and the Pathway to Peace

by Steve Chalke

'You can't kill an evil ideology by taking down a person, a thousand people, or even ten thousand people. All you will do is feed it. It will transmute, return and bite you harder. If we are going to overcome the escalating problem of extremism and terrorism that our world faces, we need a different answer. We need to find a narrative that is radical enough to turn the tide.'

Steve Chalke reminds us that although Islamic extremism presents our contemporary world with an unique threat, radicalisation is much more than an Islamic problem. It is a human problem, fuelled by the fact that so many young people - from those enticed by the lure of gangs and guns to those seduced by the sinister world of extremism and terror - do not feel that they have a place or voice in mainstream society.

The issue, he says, is that our suggested counter-extremism and counter-terrorism solutions don't make this connection at the moment. As a result, they fail to get to the heart of things. Instead of tackling the roots - the fundamentals - of the issue, they attempt to deal with the symptoms of its growth. In a phrase, they are just not radical enough.

148 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 9, 2016

About the author

Steve Chalke is a British Baptist minister, social entrepreneur, author, and speaker widely recognized for his work in promoting social inclusion and justice. He is the founder of the Oasis Charitable Trust, an organization he launched in 1985 with the vision of building inclusive communities where everyone is valued and empowered. Under his leadership, Oasis has become one of the UK's largest charities, operating across a wide spectrum of services including housing, healthcare, education, and youth and community development—both in the UK and internationally.
Chalke's commitment to education is reflected in his founding of Oasis Community Learning, a multi-academy trust responsible for over 40 schools throughout England. The trust seeks to support not just academic achievement, but whole-community transformation through education. He also serves as the founding minister of Oasis Church Waterloo in central London, a place of welcome and inclusion for people of all backgrounds.
In 2006, Chalke launched Stop the Traffik, a global coalition working to end human trafficking through awareness, education, and systemic change. The organization has mobilized tens of thousands of activists in nearly 100 countries. His work in this field led to his appointment as a United Nations Special Adviser on Human Trafficking.
As an author, Chalke has written extensively on theology, faith, and social justice. His notable books include The Lost Message of Jesus, Apprentice: Walking the Way of Christ, and The Lost Message of Paul, among others. He has also written numerous articles and is a frequent speaker on topics related to spirituality, ethics, and public life.
In recognition of his tireless efforts, he was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to social inclusion and has received multiple honorary degrees and fellowships. He also holds the Guinness World Record for the most sponsorship money raised by an individual marathon runner, having raised over £2.3 million during the London Marathon.
Throughout his career, Steve Chalke has consistently challenged societal norms and church traditions in pursuit of compassion, equality, and justice, making him one of the most influential voices in contemporary British Christianity.

Reviews

[Alan Marr · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first sentences of the introduction: "You can't kill an evil ideology by taking down a person, a thousand people or even ten thousand people. All you will do is feed it. It will transmute, return to bite you harder. ...."
There is nothing new in this book but it is accessible, brief and to the point. Highly recommended.