Light in the Shadow of Jihad: The Struggle for Truth

by Ravi Zacharias

The terrorists who brought death to thousands said they did it in God's name. Thousands of Christians around the world gathered in churches to pray for peace, while others blamed the very idea of God for the tragedy. Ravi Zacharias deals with five of the major questions on people's minds after September 11: - Is this true Islam or a fanatical counterfeit? - In what ways does the relation of church and state change a nation's view of religion and affect its culture? - Is this Islam or a pollution of it? Is religion dangerous to a culture? - Was there a prophecy that this would happen? - Where does this leave the future?"If we find those answers," writes Zacharias, "they will spell life, steadying the soul even though the heart still aches."

Genres: Islam, Christian, Christianity, Religion, Christian Living, Faith, Nonfiction

Paperback

First published February 6, 2002

About the author

Frederick Antony Ravi Kumar Zacharias was an Indian-born Canadian-American Christian evangelical minister and Christian apologist who founded Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM). He was involved in Christian apologetics for a period spanning more than forty years, authoring more than thirty books. He also hosted the radio programs Let My People Think and Just Thinking. Zacharias belonged to the Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA), the Keswickian Christian denomination in which he was ordained as a minister. After his death, allegations of sexual harassment against him emerged, were investigated, and found to be true.

Reviews

[Johnvano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though the book was published just a few months after 9/11, it resonates so strongly today. There are the natural early reflections, but the truth claims between Christianity and Islam are very valid, as are the foundational comparisons between American law and principle and those of Islamic states. The book also contains a valuable assessment of the Koran, the history of Islam, and the challenge of correctly assessing or quantifying what a Muslim believes - because of issues of interpretation, succession, doctrine, and branch, as well as individual application.

Best quotes:

"We are all tempted to justify our proclivities with political arguments. On the one hand, those of us who are privileged to live in democracies have convinced ourselves that morality is purely a private matter, and we allow no one to invade that territory. Sit in on the side of any issue and it becomes clear that relativism is the guide writ large on our cultural belief. We hear it said that there is no such thing as an absolute and that each one must decide his or her moral lifestyle. Anyone who holds to absolutes is mocked and derided (p18)... The relativist who argues for the absence of absolutes smuggles absolutes into his arguments all the time, while shouting loudly that all morality is private belief... Alan Dershowitz (says)... 'I do not know what is right'... 'And you know what? Neither do you.' So it is not just that he does not know what is right. It is also that he knows the impossibility of knowing what is right so well that he is absolutely certain that nobody else can know what is right either. There is his absolute. (p19)"

From the American Declaration of Independence: "'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.' That one sentence sets America apart from most of the nations of the earth. Our value is not derived from government benevolence or from the mercies of democracy. Democracy and individual dignity derive from the transcendent reality of a Creator. Take away the Creator, and we are at the mercy of the powers of the moment." (p27)

"Life is intrinsically sacred because God created it. There is no other way to convey intrinsic sanctity. It cannot be conveyed by human ingenuity or by the passing of a law. This truth is as essential a part of my being as the very life within me--it frames my entire moral outlook... In short, America functions within a moral framework, and that framework can be meaningful only when attached to a Creator... (George Washington's farewell address quoted)... Washington said, 'Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion.' He must have anticipated that an effort would be made to base morality on something other than a religious worldview." (p30-31)

Isaiah 9:6-7: For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of this government and peace there will be no end. "You see, only the child was born. The Son was not born; the Son was given. He was not born because He eternally exists. His name is Jesus. He is the stone uncut by human hands. He came to offer forgiveness to us all and to teach us what it means to be a part of His family and to honor one another..." (p74-75)

In reference to Yale philosopher Norwood Russell Hanson, who criticizes God's absence with a story about God appearing dramatically like a Zeus-like figure to address him by name and prove His existence, Ravi says: "Just to assure us he was not kidding, Hanson adds, 'Please do not dismiss this example as a playful, irreverent Disney-oid contrivance. The conceptual point here is that if such a remarkable event were to transpire, I for one should certainly be convinced that God does exist.' I can't blame Hanson for representing his case in such melodramatic terms. I too would love for God to make some indisputable appearance; a rending of the skies with sound and light accompaniment. But I am not at all sure that believability is as simple as that. So, I have a question for this professor: Suppose this actually happened, exactly the way you asked for it. Would you be satisfied with that epiphany if, moments later while backing out of your driveway, you accidentally ran over your five-year-old son? What would you want from God then? Would you be content with the vision of God that you had experienced a few minutes before, or would you demand an explanation for this tragedy, as well? Sporadic supernatural demonstrations by God would not satisfy our insistence that He be constantly accountable to us for His actions." (p86)

"A simple law of logic is called the Undistributed Middle. It means that just because two things have one thing in common, doesn't mean they have everything in common. An example of this kind of reasoning is that since elephants have ears and I have ears, I must be an elephant. To undermine the role of religion in society because some religious extremists take advantage of their religious privilege, is no more legitimate than to say that freedom of the press causes the murder of innocent people and should therefore be curtailed: For had not the press telecast the demonstrations that took place at Tiananmen Square against human rights violations in China, the Chinese authorities would never have been able to identify key figures and single them out for retribution." (p102)

[Jesseca Wheaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. With every book I read by Ravi Zacharias, I find myself loving his writing more and more. The way he writes and the subjects he talks about are just really, really good and insightful. Even thought this was written just after 9/11, and he talks about it a great deal, the book is a great read today, especially in light of the events taking place in the world around us.

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book comparing the Moslem religion with Christianity. The 'Light' is referring to Christ. This is a good book for Christians to read in the reflection of 'Jihad" or Islam.

[Tim Baumgartner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started this book a while ago, but should have read it even earlier (it was written in 2002, shortly after 9-11).

Regardless, it's a helpful book that helps one to reflect upon evil, particularly after terrorist attacks.

Ch. 1
At the onset, questions abound from all circles of his influence and he eventually tells the story of the last woman who survived Ground Zero (33 y/o Genelle Guzman). She was buried under the rubble for 27 hours before her rescue. Her experience is used as a metaphor for hope: "The strong hand of faith can pull us from the darkness of the rubble of hate and violence we now find ourselves in" (p. 16).

Ch 2: The Struggle between Good and Evil
Then Zacharias starts to debate moral relativism vs absolutes and states how "the relativist who argues for the absence of absolutes smuggles absolutes into his arguments all the time, while shouting loudly that all morality is private belief. He then provides an example, using Harvard Law School professor, Alan Dershowitz, who said there are no absolutes and that is the way it is: "I do not know what is right," he contends. It all sounds very honest and real, until he points his finger at his audience and says, "And you know what? Neither do you." Sounds like he's ABSOLUTELY sure!!!

After speaking to Oxford University students, a small group of students approached him and insisted that good and bad are not absolute categories. When Ravi asked them if cutting a 1 year old baby to pieces with a butcher knife for pure enjoyment is wrong, a guy said, "I would not like it, but I could not honestly say that it would be wrong" (21).

Even when absolutes are denied, there is an intuitive certainty that some things are just plainly wrong (21).

Then he brings up the American Declaration of Independence, which includes: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." This sets America apart from most nations of the world, by recognizing how Christianity provides intrinsic dignity upon us.

Reason and intuition are pointers to the need for morality (28).

The last interesting part of this chapter was when he brought up George Washington's farewell address: "Of all the disputations and habits that lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports...and let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion."

Warning 1: He must have anticipated that an effort would be made to base morality on something other than a religious worldview.

Warning 2: Reason and experience forbid us to expect morality to prevail if religion is excluded. (Interestingly, many who come to America's shores, choose to send their kids to Christian rather than public schools because they want a moral basis for their kid's education.)

Ch 3: The Struggle between Truth and Falsehood
This chapter goes into the history of the Quran, detailed remarks by some of Muhammad's biographers after the battle in Medina (context of Surah 9:5), even Muhammad's final remarks before his death: 'O Lord, perish the Jews and the Christians...Beware, there should be no two faiths in Arabia" (42).

Apostates are addressed--in particular the campaign during the renovation of the Great Mosque of Sana'a in Yemen--where several scholars of Islam were killed in various ways due to their critical study of the Quran.

The Muslim Brotherhood Movement called on all mankind to accept one of these three: Islam, Tribute (Jizya tax for non-Muslims) or Combat.

The call for moderate Muslims to speak out and against the various atrocities (by others who claim to be Muslim) across the world is crucial. Then he provides some excerpts from Islamic scholar and devout Muslim, Muqtedar Khan, director of International Studies and the Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy at Adrian College, Michigan, who said he would rather live in America than any Muslim country because no Muslim country would treat him as well (https://www.ijtihad.org/memoa.htm).

Ch 4: Were Events Such as These Prophesied?
If people can know the future, where were they on September 10?

The famous prophecy of Daniel, that predicted the four kingdoms centuries later was brought up: Babylon, Medes and Persians, Greeks, and Rome. Regarding Rome, it said it would be destroyed by "a stone uncut by human hands," which has been interpreted by Bible scholars to describe a power not of human design (i.e. the coming of Christ and His return have been seen by most as the boundaryless power).

Then he goes into the debate of the ages: who "the promise" was for: Isaac or Ishmael?

He finished with a quote from King George VI: "Go out into the darkness, and put your hand into the hand of God, and it shall be to you better than the light, and safer than the known."

Ch 5: Was God Present or Absent?
Every thinking person has at some time raised the question, "Where is God in the midst of suffering?"
An event like 9-11 gives fodder for both sides: the Christian and the atheist.

A crazy story about 69 year old Josephine was shared that showed the hand of God was involved.

Then the topic of the "hiddenness of God" was covered by atheists and Christians alike, sharing their views.

Ch 6: Where Do We Go from Here?
Noted journalist Andrew Sullivan wrote on the destruction religion can bring. But he failed to mention that the past century more people were killed under the banner of irreligion than by religious fanatics. Zacharias said that, "some religious extremists taking advantage of their religious privilege, is no more legitimate than to say that the freedom of the press causes the murder of innocent people and should therefore be curtailed: For had not the press telecast the demonstrations that took place at Tiananmen Square against human rights violations in China, the Chinese authorities would never have been able to identify key figures and single them out for retribution. Therefore, according to Sullivan's logic, members of the press, including Mr Sullivan, should have some of their freedoms restricted. We would have to condemn all politics because of Timothy McVeigh's skewed politics, along with MLK Jr and Gandhi, due to their radical peace movements (102).

Another point: How difficult Islamic countries make it for those of other faiths, while Muslims can be so demanding of American culture to provide them with unlimited freedom.

Some stories of hope were shared:
-How tirelessly rescue workers were looking for survivors
-Jesus' parable of the shepherd who left the ninety-nine to find the one
-Genelle Guzman's story from the beginning of this book: her hope was realized because someone put aside their comfort and safety in order to find her. (This simple truth is a metaphor of the Gospel.)

Appendix: Steadying the Soul While the Heart is Breaking
When will the terrorists stop killing?
When they love their children more than they hate (112-3)

Freedom is vital, but it leaves us vulnerable.

He finished with the song: "How Firm a Foundation":
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/m...

[Светлана · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ravi puts a lot on his plate in this short book. For a book written directly post-9/11 I was surprised at the broadness of his discussion. I was hoping maybe for a little more depth about Islam from a Christian viewpoint but again that would require a longer book (and I am open to suggestions).

He offers the following:
-The difficulty of dealing with evil without knowing God;
-the Christian aspects of the United States and its makeup;
-the roots of Islam examined in the light of the Bible;
-the perspectives and division of Islam;
-how Christians should view death and suffering; and
-what our role can be in preventing such conflicts.

A major point in the book is the idea that "there should not be compulsion in religion," and that this is both a Christian idea and a shaping influence for the U.S.A.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written primarily to an audience of hurting post-9/11 Americans, this book digs into the questions like “Is this [the events of 9/11] true Islam or a pollution of it?” “Were the events of 9/11 actually prophesied?” and “Where was God—and on whose side?” While sufficiently answering the questions he poses, the author ties in a lot of good ideas that don’t appear to relate directly to the subjects initially presented. I struggled to connect all of the dots in this book's huge spider web of ideas, but the main thrust of the book was very good.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book dealing with the terrorist attacks after 9/11 from a spiritual perspective, dealing with the root cause of terrorism which stems from the sin in the Garden of Eden, and the answer to the root cause, which is Jesus Christ's death and resurrection and allowing the worst to be done to Him, so we can live in the Kingdom as He desires of us to.

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This took some guts to write. It is a stinging indictment of moderate Muslims for not coming out loud and strong against their radical brethren. The author objectively examines Muslim scripture to point out that jihad is a mandate, not an option.

[Kathy Penrod · Rating 5 out of 5]

I re-read this book for the 15th anniversary of 9-11. Although it was written a few months after the attack, it is still as relevant as it was when first published. Ravi has a unique ability to put difficult circumstances into perspective and focus on the core issues. Excellent .

[Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to get both a Christian and a non-American's viewpoint. This fit the bill. (Oops--Zacharias may have American citizenship...I don't know)

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

short read

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extremely clear and concise in writing and reasoning.

[Beka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an amazing book that puts in perspective how we should react to 9/11.

[Steve Coombs · Rating 2 out of 5]

It hasn't aged too well. For those familiar with the issues it doesn't bring anything new to the table, and for those unfamiliar it's probably not particularly helpful. Too much of what feels like political posturing (the Bush endorsements ring hollow 20 years later)

[Allison Gardner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short read, but packed with wisdom, questions, and perspective. Well worth reading. I highly recommend.

[Dholtrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great info on Islam. Also provides a great Christian response to potential conflict when witnessing to members of the Muslim community.

[Dor_ky]

Will write full review...i mean a better one when done reading. I just have to put it on hold. And i will finish God willing next year. Lol

[Roddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ravi has provided more in this short book than most would manage in something 5 times as long. Highly recommended.