The Cross in the Shadow of the Crescent

Early in March I traveled to Nashville to take part in the National Religious Broadcasters annual convention. On Monday evening at a reception for authors, I happened to run into Erwin Lutzer. I met Erwin 24 years ago when he preached for my installation service in Oak Park. Ever since then we have been friends.

When I saw Erwin in Nashville, he gave me a copy of his latest book The Cross in the Shadow of the Crescent and said, “This is my final legacy.“ He called it the message he must pass on to his children and grandchildren. 

That sort of thing, said by a good friend, will certainly get your attention. 

In the days since then I have read and re-read his book. The subtitle tells the whole story: “An Informed Response to Islam’s War With Christianity.” Among the prominent endorsers are Franklin Graham, Al Mohler, Mark Bailey, Michael Youssef, Don McCurry and Jay Sekulow. Dr. Samuel Ezra Naaman, World Missions professor at Moody Bible Institute, calls it “one of the best books on Islam produced in the last 50 years.”

It will be helpful to say what the book is not. It is not a detailed study of the Quran in light of the Bible nor is it a detailed theological comparison between Christianity and Islam, though you can find elements of both in the text. Dr. Lutzer intends to show how Islam’s rise in the West poses a threat to our freedoms of speech and religion. While he makes clear that many Muslims are peaceful and reject violence, the intrinsic nature of Islam focuses on world domination. There is, he says, an inevitable clash between Islam and Christianity.

These are not politically correct things to say. 

Along with chilling stories of Muslim persecution of Christians (across the centuries and in our present day), Dr. Lutzer includes numerous moving stories of Muslims who have found new life through Jesus Christ. These converts, having suffered much, stand as a shining example of the power of the Cross. 

The day may come when Christians face persecution in the West like we see happening around the world. While not an alarmist, Erwin Lutzer writes to warn us of what may be coming soon. In a sense the whole book is in these two sentences:

I do believe . . . that a powerful hurricane is on its way and we’d best be ready. We should not fear the storm that is coming, but be diligent in preparing for it (p. 19). 

Since the law always shapes culture, the book includes a discussion of why Christians must oppose the imposition of Sharia law in the West. 

Two pillars of truth underlie all that Erwin Lutzer writes. First, he wishes to rouse a drowsy, complacent church to the danger in our midst. Second, he wants to challenge us to boldness in the service of Christ our King. His final lesson (the 7th of 7) is fittingly titled, “The Remnant Will Triumph.”

The book ends not with a call to action but with a prayer. Here are the final words of that prayer (p. 232):

Let the vision of Christ, who gave Himself for us, motivate us to follow in His footsteps that we might show His love and glory to a world that has lost its way. May we suffer as He suffered, love as He loved, and forgive as He forgave. To that end we submit ourselves.

All for your glory–in Jesus’ name.

Amen. 

It is a beautiful conclusion to a powerful book. Islam will not have the final word. King Jesus will triumph in the end. The question remains, Will the church stay faithful in these troubling times?

I am happy to join with many others in recommending The Cross in the Shadow of the Crescent. Every pastor should read it. Christians everywhere would benefit from it. I am glad Erwin Lutzer wrote it. May God help us to take its message to heart.