Christians are looking forward to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Unfortunately the scriptures tells us that a world leader is going to come on the scene first and establish One World Government, economy, and religion. The scriptures indicate that he will be a pseudo messiah and will be supported by some kind of false prophet.

Muslims are also looking forward to the coming of their own Messiah referred to as The Mahdi. Along with the Mahdi they believe that Jesus- called Isa will return as his prophet and support him in establishing Muslim rule over the entire world and economy, and the establishment of Islam as the only legal world religion.

Joel Richardson compares these two end time views and shows how closely compatible they truly are. It is his conclusion that the Muslim Mahdi could end up being one and the same historical figure that Christians refer to as Antichrist and the Muslim Jesus –Isa could end up being the figure known as the False Prophet foretold in the Christian scriptures.

It is a valuable book whether or not you accept his conclusions or not. Richardson goes into detail quoting the Quran and other authoritative Muslim writings concerning their view of the end times. I found it helpful in understanding what is happening on the world scene today with the rise of radical Islam as a threat to Western civilization and the entire world.

A scholarly examination of the last events in the life and resurrection of Jesus Christ by two able New Testament scholars. Evans and Wright take a look at all of the current historical and archeological evidence and theories pertaining to the trial, crucifixion, burial, and the resurrection of Jesus.

This is an excellent apologetical source with new and solid reasons to accept the Gospel accounts of the events rather than all of the theories which have been floated to discount the historicity of the N.T. documents. While this is primarily a scholarly work rather than a book written for popular or general readers, it should be readable and valuable study for most Bible students.        *Top

A continuation of the Evangelical/Mormon dialogue started with the book “How Wide The Divide” by Craig Blomberg and Stephen Robinson and continued in “Bridging The Divide” by Robert L Millet and Gregory C.V. Johnson.

Dr. Robert L. Millet is professor of religious education at BYU and Dr. Gerald R. McDemott is professor of religion and philosophy at Roanoke College and teaching pastor at St/ John Lutheran Church.

This book is a detailed and well documented theological discussion of the major issues which have traditionally divided LDS from Evangelical Christians. Particular attention is paid to the theology of God, Jesus, and the Trinity. Also to Salvation, eternal destiny and the role of the church.

Each subject is introduced by one author followed by a response from the other then with a rebuttal and some concluding thoughts by the first. This format allows for in-depth discussion of issues that could not be addressed in “How Wide..” or in “Bridging…”. It is a gold mine of references and details that theologians will find useful.

Once more, traditional ‘apologists’ will find the book to be controversial and far too positive and friendly. However, scholars on both sides of the divide will use the book as a reference and as a jumping off point for continuing and honing the ongoing discussion.

Unlike the two previous dialogue books, this one is not as accessible for a popular audience but requires some understanding of Christian history, theology, and philosophy.

There are a number of great articles and an on-going discussion of the book on Summa Theologica.            *Top

By Dr. Robert L Millet and Rev. Gregory C.V. Johnson (Rhinebeck, New York: Monkfish Book Pub. Co., 2007, 185 pages)

In many ways, this is a continuation of “How Wide The Divide”, it even has a forward by Craig Blomberg and Stephen Robinson the authors of the aforementioned work.

In this book, Robert Millet, a professor at BYU gives us a current view of Mormonism; while Gregory Johnson an evangelical pastor in Utah, who is a former LDS and a graduate of Denver Seminary, stands in for the Evangelical viewpoint.

Another very helpful book for understanding the differences that continue to separate Evangelicals and Mormons. But also helpful in defining areas of agreement, terms and perspectives that continue to cause confusion, and possible areas of cooperation. It is a valuable attempt at bridging the tensions that still persist when evangelicals and LDS converse about their faiths.

In one section, the two writers pose major questions to one another about their faiths with in-depth expositions. In the next, they answer questions from an audience, some are quite controversial. At the end are valuable conclusions from both writers and an appendix which includes: “Some Guiding Principles of Constructive Conversation”.

A valuable book for both evangelicals and Mormons who really wish to understand each other better.            *Top

The main stream Western press has bent over backwards to present Islam in the best ‘politically correct’ light possible as the: ‘Religion of Peace’.  Even President Bush refers to Islam with this label. In recent books, documentaries, and movies, the media and the left continue to present serious Christians in an unfavorable light while the threat to Western civilization coming from radical Islam is discounted.

Even in the midst of overwhelming evidence that a large portion of Islam is at least sympathetic to Islamic terrorists, many in the Western world look upon Christianity as being at least as dangerous to World peace as the Jihadists.

Even more incredible, the thousands of Islamic terrorists and their sympathizers, which run into the hundreds of millions including thousands of clerics, are presented as not really representing ‘true’ Islam; while a few individuals acting on their own, like Timothy McVeigh and one or two abortion clinic bombers, are said to represent Christianity, even though they never claimed to be and have no support in the Christian community for their actions.

Robert Spencer has written a book which documents the threat that normative Islam poses for the world. He also debunks the myth of equivalence between Islam and Christianity. He presents evidence from the teachings and leaders of both religions which demonstrates that the real ‘Religion of Peace’ is Christianity rather than Islam.

Spencer documents a number of historical events, including the crusades, where history has been rewritten in the last few years in order to cast modern Islam in a better light. He asks quite poignantly- where are all the Christian terrorists and name the Christian leaders who support violence? The answer of coarse is none. One by one he presents historical facts and current events which lead to only one conclusion: Christianity is the real religion of peace.           *Top

The final book in the "Left Behind Series" covering the Millennium, the Final Judgment, and the creation of a new earth in Revelation 20 and 21. The book deals mostly with life during the 1000 years reign of Jesus in Jerusalem.

According to the story of this book, which is based upon scripture, those who come back with Jesus have a ‘glorified’ body and no longer have children. However, those believers who were alive when Jesus came back to establish his Kingdom still continue to have children. Their children must accept Christ on their own or die at one hundred years of age if they are still unbelievers.

A group rises up during the millennium that actually begins to worship Satan and passes on their traditions until the 1000 years are over and the Devil is released to wage war once more upon Jesus and the believers. It is a very short war and then the end comes and a new earth.

The main story of the book deals with how there could possibly be ‘unbelievers’ on the earth when Jesus is actually on the earth and reining in idylic conditions for a thousand years. Where do all the folks that end up following Satan at the end come from?

The book starts off slow as compared to the previous offerings in this series. However, it does end up with an interesting story and offers plausible answers to some of the perplexing questions that many ask about the Millennium. If you have read the other books in the series, you pretty much have to read this one also. It isn’t as much an action/adventure story like the previous ones, but well worth your time and money.             *Top

This series is a high energy fast moving adventure story, set primarily in first century Rome and Jerusalem (65 AD-70 AD).  It is told from the perspective of Roman, Jewish, and Christian characters.  Each one facing different problems and dilemmas.

Those in Jerusalem are living in chaotic times with the city divided up and in rebellion against the Romans, and Jewish leaders fighting one another.  In Rome, even highly placed Roman citizens are being subjected to the lunacy and the whims of Nero.  For Christians, theses are times of tribulation no matter where they live, and the possibility of being martyred for the faith is a reality that they live with everyday.

John ‘the last disciple’ of Jesus is touching the lives of all those he comes in contact with, including some of the major characters in this story.  Nero is obsessed with trying to understand John’s letter written from the Isle of Patmos.  Many Christians are also trying to gain insight from the writing; however, Roman soldiers are arresting everyone who has a copy.

Some Bible teachers are critical of this series because it puts the writing of the Book of Revelation in the reign of Nero, before the fall of Jerusalem (69/70 A.D.).  Most scholars teach that the book was probably written around 95 A.D.  Also, dispensationalist teachers oppose this book series because it seems to present a ‘preterist’ interpretation of the Book of Revelation.  Tim LaHaye ("Left Behind’ series-author) has been particularly critical of the series for both of these reasons.  However, there is considerable evidence which should not be ignored, that actually supports an earlier dating of the letter.

Putting aside the controversy, there is much to be gained from reading this series.  It presents an accurate view of life in the first century.  It gives you a feeling for what it might have been like to be living in Jerusalem during the chaos of 65-70 A.D.  Also, what would it have been like living as a Christian under Nero, facing persecution, arrest, and death on the cross, or worse yet in the arenas.  Yet, what it might have been like meeting John, ‘the last disciple’ of Jesus, and going on a long journey with the ‘beloved’ Apostle.

The stories are well written and the kind that you can’t put down until they’re done.  Even if I don’t necessarily agree with the way they interpret the Book of Revelation; I whole heartedly recommend these books.  They’re interesting, informative, and a good read.

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This book is essential and just a bit scary.  The First section is well worth the price of the book.  Pastor Hagee is a friend of former Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and is privy to a lot of Israeli intelligence information.

Pastor Hagee ends Section1 with a chapter on “Unveiling Islam”.  Here, he talks about the theological and sociological characteristics of Islam that support radical terrorism and lead to the threat that we are facing.  Section 2 contains a short history of Jerusalem and the Jewish people.  In section 3, John Hagee gives us his perspectives on the place of Israel and possibly the USA in the end-times, an eschatological view from prophetic scriptures yet to be fulfilled.

In the final section, Pastor Hagee gives us his interpretation of Romans 9-11, another valuable and interesting teaching.  Though some Calvinists might cringe a bit here.  Then the book ends with a chapter listing five Biblical reasons why Christians should support Israel and the Jewish people.  Here, I generally agree with Pastor Hagee.

However, I believe that Christians should also be concerned about Palestinians and Arabs in general.  The Gospel must go to every nation, and we really do need to show our love and concern for these folk also, and pray for their salvation, even those who are our enemies.

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This is the fourth book in this series, following: The Ezekiel Option, The Last Days, & The Last Jihad.  Jon Bennett continues as the main character, along with Erin McCoy.  The first question answered in this book, do Jon and Erin finally get married?  It opens with preparations for their wedding, however new events over take them in the process.  I will leave it the reader to discover whether the wedding actually takes place.

This is an incredibly great summer read.  The action and adventure reminds one not only of the previous episodes in this series, but also it is a cross between Raiders of The Lost Ark and Da Vinci Code.  It is a ‘can’t put down tell it is finished’ adventure with Middle East terrorism as the backdrop, and Christian/Judaic Prophesy and Eschatology as the subject.  Unlike ‘Da Vinci’ or ‘Raiders’, this book is totally safe for Christian consumption.

‘The Copper Scroll’ is an actual ancient artifact that was discovered along with the ‘Dead Sea Scrolls’.  It contains directions to finding actual Temple vessels and treasures which were hidden before the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple in 70 AD.  Many have speculated about the possibility that there is a document or scroll that is still missing which contains the ‘key’ for interpreting the Copper Scroll.  To Date, none of the treasure or vessels listed on the scroll have been located.  At the end of the book, the author provides a bibliography of sources about the Copper Scroll, the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Biblical prophecies about a coming Temple.

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This is an excellent book for dealing with the myriad of historical problems presented in the novel by Dan Brown.  In Part One, Dr. Paul Maier points out all the major historical/religious problems and challenges made in The Da Vinci Code.  It is particularly helpful in citing the page numbers where the claim was made in the novel.

Of all the books I have looked at on this subject, this is the best summary of the issues, and the easiest to access.  In Part Two, the ‘Bible Answer man’ Hank Hanegraaff, presents a more detailed documentation of the major issues raised by the novel, and keys in on the reliability of the New Testament documents themselves.

The Da Vinci Code novel challenged Christianity in a variety of ways, and this book meets that challenge and more.

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