Relatively few Christians have any deep, first-hand knowledge of Muslims, and relatively few Muslims have any deep, first-hand knowledge of Christians. As a result, most Muslims and Christians assume that the other is totally wrong about who God is, that the other's book is wrong, and that they have very little in common with each other. Our opinions are often based on rumors and negative portrayals by the media, and are driven by fear and hatred. Muslims and Christians have traditionally focused on the differences in their traditions, theology, and culture. Because of historical conflict, their attitudes have generally been negative, assuming the worst. Indeed, there are significant differences between our traditions and our theologies. But as we get closer to our sources, the Bible and the Qur'an, we will find that there are fewer and less severe differences. Even translations of the Bible and the Qur'an often tend to emphasize distinctives and differences, rather than similarities and commonalities. Discovering Common Truths goes back to the original sources (the Bible in Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic for Christians and the Qur'an in Arabic for Muslims), and examines what they actually say about 27 topics crucial to our lives and interactions. These have been traditionally viewed as points of conflict, but Discovering Common Truths gives you the evidence so you can see how close they actually are. When you examine what the Bible and the Qur'an actually say, you will be amazed at how much they agree! Because of our lack of understanding of each other's books, both Christians and Muslims have sometimes distanced themselves from each other. Discovering Common Truths looks at the Bible and the Qur'an with an attitude of respect, and shows that together we can find unity. Muslims and Christians comprise more than half the population of the world, and if Muslims and Christians can come together around our books in understanding and friendship, we can be a powerful force to transform our wayward cultures and turn them back to God. This book looks at five areas: The Books, The Religions, The Nature of God, The Prophets, and Eternal Destiny.
