I have recently completed reading Joel Rosenberg's newest book. It is titled "Inside the Revolution." It has a fascinating cover complete with portraits of Osama bin Laden, Thomas Jefferson, and Jesus Christ. Immediately one is forced to ask the question: What do these three people have in common? I have to admit that I was puzzled. Interesting, each of those three persons represents a philosophy or a way of life that wants to dominate the Middle East and the entire world. Osama bin Laden - the radical philosophical emphasis of Islam. Thomas Jefferson - the moderate philosophical emphasis of democratic freedom. Jesus Christ - the life-changing philosophical emphasis of a relationship with a holy God and a loving Savior. According to the author, all three are powerfully at work within that region of the world we know as the Middle East.
The first two hundred pages focus upon Osama and the way of the radicals. I must admit, their philosophical bent upon total world domination by Islam and Sharia law is frightening. Some one asked me to explain the difference between Sharia law and the Old Testament law under which the Israelites lived. On the surface they seem to be very similar: strict laws that govern every aspect of living, from food preparations to sexual practices, from health regulations to social mores. Yet, I believe, there is one important underlying difference. In Sharia law there is no room for grace. There is little, if any, room for mercy. Under Old Testament law, the sacrifices offered the opportunity for grace, for forgiveness, for a withdrawal of penalty. Another took your punishment, namely the lamb or goat. I find it difficult to comprehend a world in which there is no room for grace. But such is the world Osama bin Laden and his followers are planning for us.
The next one hundred and fifty pages or so focus upon Jefferson and the way of the reformers. This section began to give me a measure of hope. It was great to know that not all Islamists believed in total jihad. It was encouraging to know that some Islamists actually want to live in peace with their neighbors and to cultivate a world that accepts everyone. The author relates the stories of several leading reformists whose leadership is both inspiring and challenging.
The final one third of the book focuses upon Jesus Christ and the way of the revivalists. These pages were riveting as Rosenberg relates story after story of Iranians, Iraqis, Afghans and Palestinians who surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ. The stories are one of dreams and visions and miracles. It is almost as if one is reading the story of the Early Church in Acts. Can you imagine sharing the gospel with an Iranian and having that person put his or her faith in Jesus Christ in less than five minutes? It is happening all over Iran. And just today I read of Iraq's first Christian radio station beginning operation proclaiming the message of Christ to all of Iraq. Praise the Lord!
I enjoy reading good books...books that stretch a person's thinking...books that challenge a person's faith. This book is one I highly recommend. It will give you a whole new way of looking at the struggles in the Middle East. And, just think, we know how the story ends.
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