Book Review - Seeking Allah Finding Jesus

Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim Encounters Christianity by Nabeel Qureshi

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This is a book I will always be glad I have read. Not only was the content interesting, but I was able to identify with the experiences of the author in a small way, and the story began to change my perceptions of the world in which I live and alter my understanding of one of the largest people groups and religions of history.

Framed in ten parts, Nabeel describes an autobiographical journey from a life and perspective steeped in Islam to a core-shaking foundational revolution in his understanding and life when confronted with the truths of historical Christianity and a call to personal faith in the risen Lord.

The journey he walks is heart-wrenching as he questions every fundamental tenet of his faith and finds it failing under scrutiny. Inexorably he is driven to the inevitable conclusion that Islam remains untenable as the means by which he may know and please the one true God. Ultimately he surrenders everything he is to everything God demands and places his faith in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.

This decision costs him immensely as reflected in the dedication of his book:
“This book is dedicated to my parents. Ammi and Abba, your undying love for me even when you feel I have sinned against you is second only to God’s love for His children. I pray you will one day realize His love is truly unconditional, that He has offered forgiveness to us all. On that day, I pray that you would accept His redemption, so we might be a family once again. I love you with all my heart.”

The choice to follow Christ broke every cultural and religious tie in which Nabeel was steeped. It violated his heritage, his history, his family, and his faith. Yet, like the disciples of the New Testament, Nabeel takes up his cross and follows Jesus though it costs everything. Such a powerful testimony!

However, make no mistake, more is happening here than merely the cathartic tale of a young Muslim man’s journey from faith to faith. Through the eyes of Nabeel we begin to comprehend the sincerity of mind and heart which can be so committed to a faith like Islam. We see the desperation with which Nabeel wishes to please God and how that desire results from every element of his identity being inculcated with the doctrines, tenets, and practices of Islam from birth. For Muslims this total immersion and indoctrination in a culture totally revolving around the teachings of Islam seems inescapable.

As a result, one begins to find compassion for a group of people that aspire to great faith and instead are obdurately bound as slaves to a harsh and oppressive religion that demands total obedience without question. One cannot help but admire the dedication of Nabeel’s parents to raise him correctly in the way they understood their faith. Yet, one cannot avoid resonating with the struggles Nabeel endures as everything he knows and trusts is brought into question. One also begins to wonder if there is a genuine conversation that should be initiated between Christian and Muslim communities to expose the cracks in the façade of Islam and highlight these in the light of the documented truths of the Gospel, providing a path to freedom.

I was profoundly moved by Nabeel’s personal struggle which I understood personally in a small way. At one time, I too questioned everything I believed; yet, I found the truths of Christianity too overwhelming to resist in their historicity, logic, and prospect. Not only so, but as I read this book, I also found the awakening of a new emotion in my heart toward Muslims.

Since 9/11, I have - along with many Americans - viewed Muslims with suspicion, frustration, and mistrust. Now I begin to view them with pity and compassion. Surely I should try in my own way to invite them to consider the claims of Christ wherever I have opportunity. In this way, Nabeel’s book will likely revolutionize my perspective and approach to Muslims for the rest of my life.

After reading this book, I hope I can be as genuine and committed in my faith as Nabeel has been. I also hope that I may walk more closely with God with deeper love of His children than ever before – including the Muslims for which Christ also died.



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CHERISHED

Listen as Pastor Rick shares with us a "valentine" from the Lord.

"Justice demanded a cross for our crimes.  Love demanded a Savior.  And so, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  This is the glorious message of the Gospel that I never want to escape!  I a wretched wicked sinner – with all the potential evil of history locked up in my heart just waiting to escape; I who wanted God less than I wanted my sins; I who was doomed for Hell and deserved it; I was whom He loved.  And because He loved me, He purposed that I would not go to Hell if He could help it.  And so, while I stood condemned, a cross was erected on Calvary from which dangled the lifeless body of God.  And the wrath of God was poured upon Himself instead of me. Justice was served.  Love was lived.  And the opportunity to be cherished was offered…to me. 

He sealed the transaction with His resurrection and with it offered an eternal marriage proposal to mankind.  Like the prophet Hosea of old, he called us from our whoring in sin to be cherished in His hands.  Rather than leave us to our justly deserved doom in the darkness he called us into the kingdom of light and promised to always be at our side in this life and the next.  He does not need us – but He WANTS us."

The Cross

Listen as Rev. Sams expounds on 1 Corinthians 1:23,24.  He reminds us of the importance of the cross and how we must not lose its message.

He Is Able

Inspired by Priscilla Shirer's Book titled "God Is Able," listen as Pastor Rick shares an encouraging message about what it means to really trust the Lord.

"I have realized that this is where I am: with the great need to recognize that not only does God exist and not only can I know about Him, but I need to know Him in the present power of His resurrection that transforms who I am, how I view everything, and how I respond to everything in my life.  I need to truly believe His word that He is more than able and more than willing to work on my behalf and in behalf of all the needy people around me.  I need to come to Him in that belief and welcome Him to go to work in my life and in the lives of those around me."

Sacred Life

Listen as Pastor Rick delivers a passionate message about Life in honor of Sanctity of Human Life Month on Sanctity of Human Life Sunday.

Because of this sacred intrinsic worth invested in us by God – because we believe that the very breath we breathe is His gift – then we believe that all life from womb to tomb is sacred and a treasure to be guarded at all costs.  Of course, in our culture, the discussion revolves much around the lives of the unborn.  It is why we support CareNet.  However, it is essential that we do not forget this principle in terms of all life.  Belief in the sacred worth of human life is certainly why we support the work of organizations like CareNet.  But it is also why we should reach out to people who are tempted or oppressed to suicide.  It is why we should care about the alcoholic, the prostitute, the drug addict, the criminal, the poor, the widow, the orphan, the sick, the physically or mentally handicapped, the infirm, and the elderly.  It is why murder is always wrong.  It is why a baby should live.  It is why a teenager should live.  It is why an adult should live.  It is why a senior should live.  This life we bear is always a gift no matter the context or the package containing it – It is the very breath of God Himself and we dare not ever assume we have the right to take it away.  That right belongs only to Him Who gave it! 

How Is Your Spiritual Plumbing?

Listen as Pastor Rick relates a tongue-in-cheek message with a very real and important meaning.

"We cannot afford to have blockages in our spiritual plumbing that make a mess of everything.  We cannot spiritually succeed with sin, selfishness, unforgiveness, doubt, disobedience, fear, neglect, out of order families, unwilling hearts, or even under the crushing pressure of life without the strength of Christ.  So I urge us all today to intentionally put His Word in our hearts, open our ears to His Spirit, and surrender ourselves completely to His control.  Let Him in to inspect/clear/maintain our spiritual pipes so that His love and power can flow in/out of our lives."

Hearts of Praise!

Listen as Pastor Rick leads us in a meditation of Psalm 107 on this Sunday before Thanksgiving.

"This week of Thanksgiving, I encourage us all to be wise, to observe what God has done in our lives, and understand His lovingkindness unto us.  Then, let us praise Him and worship Him not only this week, but every day as we walk in His ways.  “21 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! 22 And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.”

Magnificent Structures of Grace

Listen as Pastor Rick shares the story of his trip to the Capitol building with his children and the lesson he learned there.

"Let us be Christians who, as Paul wrote, “Colossians 3:10 …have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:” & I pray during this time and season “Ephesians 3:16 That he [God] would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;”

I Will Trust

Listen as Pastor Rick teaches us about trusting God on purpose by choice, based on Psalm 56.  

"God has been at work all along.  On this basis, our faith can stand certain and sure that He will undergird us no matter the battle or circumstances.  Our trust is in Him and that trust dispels the oppressive fear in which Satan would rather we live.  Undergirded by our faith and confidence in God we may then face the battle with internal peace and rest confident that God will enable us to walk before Him in the light of the living."

Gear Up Series - The Adversary

Pastor Rick begins a series that teaches us some about spiritual warfare.  Listen as he begins this series by teaching about our adversary the devil.

"Therefore, walk away today knowing that Satan is big; he is mean; he is hateful; he is a destroyer and devourer.  He is our adversary.  But God is bigger and God gives us the victory over Satan in this life and in the life to come if we will trust Christ and surrender to be engulfed and defended by the power of His might.  Let us walk in his footsteps, and gear up for the fight knowing that the victory is already ours."

HEAVEN!

Listen as Pastor Rick turns our hearts heavenward to remember we are headed toward Heaven!

"...for us, Heaven awaits!  Heaven: that spectacular place prepared for us by the Master Creator Himself who loves us and who gave himself for us.  It is his certain promise and our certain hope.  Let us therefore run this race with patience and persistence looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.  “For we do not have an enduring city here; instead, we seek the one to come.”

Wow....

Wow!  It has been a while since I have posted.  I apologize.  Sometimes life happens and I get behind.  Please forgive me! :-)  I am trying to catch up.  Thank you for your patience.