text: Geotheology: Christian Jihad
  Jihad- For the Western world the word evokes images of mass slaughter, forced religious conversions, and crimes against humanity. But what most Christians forget is that jihad (holy war) also plays a major role in Christianity's own dark history. In this explosive and controversial book, the brothers Ergun and Emir Caner -two former Muslims, now staunch evangelical professors-shine the light of truth on Christians killing in the name of their God. These award-winning authors examine the impact of Christian atrocities on modern personal, cultural, and even international relations, question popular views of just war, and challenge each of us to face our past and redeem our future.
  Ergun and Emir Caner have lectured on apologetics, world religions, and theology across the world and have been interviewed on NPR, CNN, The 700 Club, and the BBC, among many others.
  A review of their book, Christian Jihad: Two Former Muslims Look at the Crusades and Killing in the Name of Christ, can be found here
  I am reading it now and finding it to be very well written and thought provoking.
  Posted by Scott Starr at 11:59 AM
  Labels: Ann Coulter, christian, co-existence, ethics, faith, Fox News, ideology, Iraq, just warfare, morality, non-violence, pacifism, peacemaking, politics, reconciliation, spirituality, theology
  I have noted that the jacket of this book has an endorsement from none other than Ann Coulter. This is actually based upon her endorsement of the other book the Caner brother's wrote entitled "Unveiling Islam: an Insider's Look At Muslim Life and Belief."
  I find this to be very interesting and ironic. It seems Ann coulter, and I suspect many other "Christian" political types, jumped on the bandwagon because the book verifies many of the current fears concerning Islam. It talks about how the radicals belief in Jihad, violence and so forth has produced such horrific results. What strikes me as funny is that in this second book the Caner brothers reveal themselves as pacifists which would put them squarely at odds with the ideology of Ms. Coulter- some of whose quotes below will explain my vexation:
  Chapter 1 of Christian Jihad contrasts Ms. Coulter's approach sharply. The 1st chapter is entitled "We Shed No Blood But Our Own". In it the Caners quote many of the early church fathers and theologians and assert that the only legitimate weapon a Christian disciple may wield is prayer.
  They back this up not only with Biblical text- but also the sound reasoning of many early church fathers.
  The Caner brothers explain in the book how it was that the pacifistic nature of Christianity is what attracted them and brought about their conversion. This story calls into serious question the attitude among MANY Christian Americans that there is simply no negotiation, no way of reaching Muslims. This contradicts the belief that Muslims are beyond reason, that they are irredeemable and the only thing that they respect and respond to is force and strength and dominance. This story calls into serious question the West's entire approach to the problem of radical Islamic fundamentalism and terror tactics. This story likewise calls into serious question the foreign policy approach that our government stands by even as we speak.
  I must mention that someone with whom I have regular debates about Christianity and violence and warfare was recently promoting this book to me because they had seen a show about the Caner brothers and had latched on to the negative things the Caners had to say about Islam. He was apparently quite unaware that In Christian Jihad- the Caner brothers next take on Christian fundamentalism and its ties to violent expression. When I told him about the concept they had offered that stated the only legitimate weapon for a Christian was prayer his eyeballs nearly did a 360 in their sockets. Forgive me for finding this somewhat amusing.
  At any rate this is an excellent read.
  Also, it is worth noting that by the end of the book the Caner brothers express support for both the war in Afghanistan and in Iraq. I wonder if they feel the same way about it a few years and a river of blood later.