Analysis of Who is My Enemy by Camp Lee - Book Report/Review Example

Who is my Enemy? Questions American Christians Must Face about Islam—and Themselves by Camp Lee. Chapters Analysis Chapter 1: This chapter gives an argument why the Muslims view Christians as enemies. It introduces the differences between the Christian and Muslim believes. In addition, it emphasizes the need to let go of some of the beliefs so as to ensure peace (Camp 1-5). Chapter 2: This chapter emphasizes the need for Christian and Muslims to understand one another. It raises the issue that Christians should not take a tough stance on Muslims or else they will be the same (Camp 6-12). Chapter 3: It talks about the Christianity values as elaborated in the New Testament. It gives the main pillars that should drive the modern Christians of today. It compares and contrasts this with what is happening in real life (Camp 13- 17). Chapter 4: In this chapter, Camp gives the story of Jesus and the early church formation and practices. He also shows where Christians have missed the mark and why they should renew their actions (18- 25). Chapter 5: Camp gives his understanding of the New Testament and the Jesus life. He shows the politics that came with Jesus presence and its impacts. He elaborates why most Christians are full of pretence (26- 36). Chapter 6: In this chapter Camp elaborate on the life of Muhammad and the Quran teachings. He introduces the reason and teaching of retaliation among Muslims. He also compares Jesus and Muhammad stories (37- 47). Chapter 7: This chapter talks about what is expected of Christians as per the Old Testament. It compares the Old Testament and the New Testament teachings. It also elaborates on the war witnessed in the Old Testament (Camp 48- 54). Chapter 8: This chapter gives the teachings and actions among the early Muslims. It compares and contrasts this with the Muhammad story (Camp 55- 64). Chapter 9: Camp gives the background of how the war came to be a notion among Christians. It also elaborates why Christians keep on practicing the war notion (65- 74). Chapter 10: Camp (75- 81) introduces the idea that those against Christian teaching are crucifying Christ the second time. He introduces the element of ‘Justice’ to determine who gives the verdict when it comes to war. Chapter 11: This chapter gives the practices witnessed among the ancestors in the Eastern and Western shores. It compares and contrasts their practices and today’s practices (Camp 82- 89). Chapter 12: This chapter gives a description of how retaliation during war, came to exist. It also gives the difference between ‘good war’ and ‘total war’ (Camp 90- 96). Chapter 13: This chapter discusses terrorism using bin Laden’s terrorist activities as a case study. It tries to elaborate and give meaning to what bin Laden had in mind during such atrocities. It also gives an idea why the terrorist attacks have civilians as the main target (Camp 97- 102). Chapter 14: This chapter is a reflection of the teachings in the previous chapters. It summarizes the previous chapters by issuing relevant statistics (Camp 103- 108). Chapter 15: In this chapter, Camp tries to explain the reason why religion should be viewed as the cause of terror attacks. It explains using the genesis of the conflicts and war. It also gives a reason why America should be viewed as a savior of nations (109- 116). Chapter 16: This chapter gives the details related to United States of America bombing Oklahoma. It also explains why America can’t be involved in terrorist activities, but good Christian deeds (Camp 117- 124). Chapter 17: This is a thesis trying to relate Jonahs teachings and the beginning of the war. It discusses selective judgments on bad and wrong as the genesis of war (Camp 125- 131). Chapter 18: Camp (132 - 139) in this chapter gives the other image of Muslims in terms of character. He shows the hospitality and kindness that Muslims practice and the teachings behind it. Chapter 19: In this chapter, Camp (140- 147) show the ordinary nature of the evil deeds experienced among the two religions. It also talks about the details in reference to Quran rejecting the death of Jesus. It goes ahead and elaborates giving the reader the ease to know the truth of the teachings. Chapter 20: This chapter gives a narration of the practices by Arabs and why they do them. It also links these deeds with the element of courage (Camp 148- 154). Difference between Jesus Story and Muhammad Story with Regard to War and Peace Camp (44) emphasizes that the teaching in the Quran and New Testament are not the same. The teachings contradict in the essence that revenge is not allowed among Christians while it is accepted among Muslims. The main teaching of Christians is to love without limits, thus allowing forgiveness even to those who wrong one the most (Camp 83). This is in contradiction with the Muslims that are encouraged to retaliate in case they have been harmed. Camp comparison between Jesus and Mohammad gives a major difference in terms of practices. According to Camp; “the fundamental storyline of the two differs” (44). He adds that: “The founding narratives of Christianity and Islam are different… (the two) proceed from two very different narratives ” (103) The story of Jesus is characterized by the teaching of peace from the beginning to the end. This is contrary to the Islamic teachings that encourage the acts of war through revenge. Camp calls these complete differences as the ‘fundamental differences’ that feature in the two storylines. The stories show “clear parallels between Jesus and Mohamed” majorly when it comes to the concerns of the day to day life. These concerns include justice, poverty, equality, fairness and peace (Camp 46) Relation between Camp’s Thesis and Miroslav Volfs “Same God” Volfs’ thesis holds that Christianity and Islam are nothing but just a religion while, the God that is worshipped is the same. The fact that they serve the same God, therefore makes them to have similar values and practices. This is contradicted by Camp who believes that the two religious groups are different with so little in common (44). According to Camp argument, these two religions believe in different bridges: Jesus Christ and Muhammad (44 and 46). The two have different teaching and different story line in terms of practices. This makes the two to be the opposite of each other, thus the followers also have opposite characteristics. Volf agrees that, for the enemies; retaliation and war are options, thus supporting Camps stand (Camp 38). Similar to Camp, Volf agrees that in the Islamic history, retaliation was not encouraged but condemned. They also agree with the aspect that Christian history was characterized by ideas of war that were treated casually. Volf views the act of retaliation as an aspect of defensive mechanism while the idea of love the enemy among Christians is proactive (Camp 46). Volf therefore agrees with Camp when it comes only to the scenario of revenge or retaliation. The rest of the agreements are not fully since it gives exceptions and arguments thus treated as different. This is what would be called the partial agreement form of work since they don’t combine fully. In intense analysis, the work of Camp and that of Volf tend to contradict more than it agrees, making them opposite of each other. Response to the book Camp’s work, ‘Who is my Enemy? Questions American Christians Must Face about Islam—and Themselves,’ is generally a good book worth reading. It gives a detailed analysis of Christians and Muslims in equal measure. The analysis is given in a variety of sections, thus giving a clear finding in relation to these practices. The book looks at the ancient time Christian and Muslims and their practices for comparison. The thesis elaborates the difference between the practices in these two different timelines. The problem is that it does not give the reason to which the difference came to exist. Is it because the Quran and the Bible changed or what? It also looks at the teachings of the Quran and the Bible so as to bring the difference. These teachings are reviewed in the book in the aspect of war and peace as per the Bible and Quran. The thesis analyses the leaders or master of the two religions: Jesus and Muhammad. Jesus and Muhammad are analyzed as per the teaching and the practices during their time on Earth. This comprehensive analysis makes one to understand the two religions better thus effective. The main reason of the analysis is to see if the practices that govern the religion are the same practices that are practiced by the followers. The book paints Christians as the party that need to back down and understand the Muslims. This paints the Muslims as people without the capacity to understand. The book therefore tends to be more biased with much of the work in support of the Christians. The fact that the book makes decision to the reader makes the book boring. A good book would have introduced an element of suspense to enable the reader make decisions in relation to the content. This deed may make one to judge the author as a Christian who hates Muslims. The book also misses its comprehensiveness by not indicating clearly the causes of terrorism. It shows that the causes is not basically religious propelled but does not give an exact answer. The book does not show why allover sudden the Muslims want to retaliate yet it was not a practice in the ancient times. The book created some element of inductive thinking in its perception of Muslims. It has made the Muslims look like bad people with the only relief coming at one topic. The book doesn’t explain why there are Muslims who don’t believe in terrorism as an act. Questions 1. If terrorism is to target the public and is done by Muslims, the Quran doesn’t support the killing of women and children. So how comes the two principles contradict? 2. Some Christian’s teachings view America as the beast that signifies the end. The view of America as the savior is it not biased since the deeds are for their own gain? Work Cited Camp, Lee. W ho is My Enemy? Questions American Christians Must Face about Islam—and Themselves. Grand Rapids: Brazos Press, 2011. Print. Read More