Arabs in the Shadow of Israel: The Unfolding of God's Prophetic Plan for Ishmael's Line
"A masterful piece of scholarship on a much neglected topic."\ —Kenneth E. Bailey Professor Emeritus of Middle Eastern New Testament Studies Tantur Ecumenical Institute, Jerusalem\ Western Christianity's longstanding support of Israel has certainly, but unintentionally, nurtured a bias against Arab people, traditionally tied to Abraham's first son, Ishmael. Lebanese Christian Tony Maalouf contends that this perspective differs dramatically from the biblical portrayal of Ishmael and the...
Search in google:
A thoughtful and well-documented call to rethink the role of Arabs in the plan of God. Western Christianity's long-standing support of Israel has, perhaps unintentionally, nurtured a prejudice against Arab people—the descendants of Abraham's first son, Ishmael. Author Tony Maalouf contends that this bias differs dramatically from the biblical portrayal of Ishmael and the nations that have sprung from him. With meticulous research and theological astuteness, Maalouf surfaces the positive portrayal of the Arab people in ancient and prophetic history, clearly showing that the Israeli-Arab conflict is a recent development in history. By bringing to light the nature of relationships that have prevailed among the Jews and Arabs throughout history, Maalouf strives to change the thinking of Bible believers to a more accurate understanding of this crucial contemporary issue. He traces the Abrahamic heritage of the Arab people and majors on the positive Arab-Israeli relationships in biblical history. The descendants of Ishmael have an important role in the sovereign plan of God—right up to the final moments of history. Provides a challenge to Christianity's interpretation of current events Outlines a thoroughly biblical view of the Arab people Meticulously researched and accessibly written Author is a Christian Arab with substantial theological training
\ MissiologyHeavy-going at times, this brilliant study by a Lebanese Arab Christian provides the Scripture scholar, and anyone else interested in contemporary Israeli-Arab conflicts in the Middle East, a history of the Arab people reaching back to their biblical roots. . . .Maalouf outdoes himself with another thorough study concerning the Magi at Christ's birth. Contrary to old myths and legends, Maalouf, with internal and external evidence, proves that the Magi were truly Arabs bearing gifts, items drawn from the store of Arab international trade, incense, spices, and gold. Christian missionaries to the Middle East will find this book a must-read.\ — Robert B. Fisher\ \ \ \ \ The Criswell CollegeMaalouf does an excellent job incorporating cultural considerations into his arguments...This work furnishes a needed corrective to the common view of the current Middle East situation and will prove to be critical in getting the Church back to a more complete understanding of how God is working in the region. Carefully considered, the book will give the reader a more comprehensive and less one-dimensional understanding of how we should relate to Arabs today. Consideration of Dr. Maalouf's points will hopefully enhance Christian outreach to the Arab people. With a clearer understanding of the Arabs' role in God's prophetic plan more Christians hopefully will develop a love for the children of Ishmael. And as always, that love will lead to positive action.\ — R. Todd Bradley\ \ \ Pulpit HelpsMost Western Christian support Israel and have a predisposition against the Arab nations. With authoritative scholarship, the Lebanese Christian author and theology teacher investigates Scripture carefully. Tony Maalouf reveals rich insights about Ishmael...There are over 100 pages of endnotes, bibliography and general index. Nevertheless, this thought-provoking scholarly work is very readable.\ — A. Karen Davis\ \ \ \ \ WIN-Informer"Maalouf makes clear the profoundly important role that the Arab has played in biblical times and since, and he displays his burden, like that of Paul, that his own Arab people might be saved."\ \ \ \ \ Faith & MissionArabs in the Shadow of Israel is an excellent piece of scholarship. . . . I would endorse and recommend it unreservedly. His work should certainly be essential reading for any Christian claiming a biblical perspective on the peoples of the Middle East.\ — Ant Greenham\ \ \ \ \ Bibliotheca SacraAnyone interested in the Middle East and the Arab world will benefit from this excellent study.\ — Roy B. Zuck\ \ \ \ \ VoiceIf you are at all interested in the Middle East today, this book merits your attention.\ — Pastor Ken Hornok\ \ \ \ \ Theology Digest"It is time to present Ishmael from a Christian perspective, and to reclaim him as part of biblical legacy. This will help build a bridge for dialogue with those who claim Ishmael as their ancestor. The biblical legacy of Arabs and Jews has the potential to reconcile both antagonistic parties under the Abrahamic umbrella and to offer the hope of the gospel of peace in an area tyrannized by war."\ \ \ \ \ WIN InformerMaalouf makes clear the profoundly important role that the Arab has played in biblical times and since, and he displays his burden, like that of Paul, that his own Arab people might be saved.\ \ \ \ \ The Criswell College"Maalouf does an excellent job incorporating cultural considerations into his arguments...This work furnishes a needed corrective to the common view of the current Middle East situation and will prove to be critical in getting the Church back to a more complete understanding of how God is working in the region. Carefully considered, the book will give the reader a more comprehensive and less one-dimensional understanding of how we should relate to Arabs today. Consideration of Dr. Maalouf's points will hopefully enhance Christian outreach to the Arab people. With a clearer understanding of the Arabs' role in God's prophetic plan more Christians hopefully will develop a love for the children of Ishmael. And as always, that love will lead to positive action."\ \ \ \ \ Pulpit Helps"Most Western Christian support Israel and have a predisposition against the Arab nations. With authoritative scholarship, the Lebanese Christian author and theology teacher investigates Scripture carefully. Tony Maalouf reveals rich insights about Ishmael...There are over 100 pages of endnotes, bibliography and general index. Nevertheless, this thought-provoking scholarly work is very readable."\ \ \ \ \ Faith & Mission"Arabs in the Shadow of Israel is an excellent piece of scholarship. . . . I would endorse and recommend it unreservedly. His work should certainly be essential reading for any Christian claiming a biblical perspective on the peoples of the Middle East."\ \ \ \ \ Bibliotheca Sacra"Anyone interested in the Middle East and the Arab world will benefit from this excellent study."\ \ \ \ \ Pastor"If you are at all interested in the Middle East today, this book merits your attention."\ \ \ \ \ Missiology"Heavy-going at times, this brilliant study by a Lebanese Arab Christian provides the Scripture scholar, and anyone else interested in contemporary Israeli-Arab conflicts in the Middle East, a history of the Arab people reaching back to their biblical roots. . . .Maalouf outdoes himself with another thorough study concerning the Magi at Christ's birth. Contrary to old myths and legends, Maalouf, with internal and external evidence, proves that the Magi were truly Arabs bearing gifts, items drawn from the store of Arab international trade, incense, spices, and gold. Christian missionaries to the Middle East will find this book a must-read."\ \
