The Bottom Line
Secret Believers is co-authored by Al Janssen and Brother Andrew, a Dutch missionary who first became famous for smuggling Bibles to Christians in communist countries. It's an intriguing book, made up different stories of the lives of Muslims who turn to faith in Jesus Christ. An eye-opener, the book reveals the difficulties Christian Muslims face with their countries, families, and governments when they abandon the faith of Islam, accepting salvation through Jesus. Although the authors use pseudonyms to protect the characters, the stories are all true.Pros
- Compelling drama of real life stories.
- Educational.
- Prologue at the end challenging American Christians.
Cons
- You have to read it closely as it jumps around.
- The authors appear not to support the war on terror in their Prologue.
Description
- Genre: Nonfiction Religion/Christian Life
- Release Date: April 2008
- Authors: Al Janssen and Brother Andrew
- Publisher: Revell Books
- ISBN: 9780800732646
- Format: Paperback, 265 Pages
Book Review - Secret Believers by Al Janssen and Brother Andrew
Besides fictional names for the characters, the setting is also fictious, although it's said to take place in Suq al Khamis (in Libya, Africa).
The book relates the struggles that Muslims face when they accept Christ. The characters strive to protect, as well as disciple their new brothers and sisters-in-Christ. They also share their newfound Christian faith with other Muslims who are yearning to know the truth about Jesus. Rather than a war fought with bombs and guns, the authors urge the idea of waging a "good jihad" in the form of spiritual warfare.
I grew to love the characters and choked back tears as some of them (such as Mustafa, Ahmed, and Hassan) actually lost their lives for their faith. I also shuddered as I read how Mustafa's murderer cut up his body into tiny pieces.
Salima, a young woman from a wealthy family, finds Christ from watching a Christian channel on satellite TV. Tragically, her family abuses her, both physically and verbally for becoming a Christian. She leaves her family, joining her new Christian husband, Ahmed, although she struggles with loneliness and depression. Yet, she's thankful that she knows Christ.
At the end of the book after the authors share the stories of Muslim believers, they present a Prologue entitled, "How Shall We Respond" as a challenge to Christians. I was convicted by the challenge to actually pray for Osama Bin Laden, as well as terrorist groups such as Al-Qaeda, Hamas, and Hezbollah.
The theme of the book seems to be to respond to Muslims with love rather than fear. Although I agree we are to love and pray for them, it appeared obvious that the authors disapproved of the war on terror. This concerned me as we're fighting evil and although we're called to love, we're also called to go to war physically, as well as spiritually. You don't sit down at a table and reason with evil.
I'd recommend every Christian reading Secret Believers to arouse them out of their comfort zone and pray fervently for our Christian brothers and sisters in Muslim countries. However, I would also caution readers not to dismiss the war on terror as it's necessary in fighting an enemy that wants to kill us.
I was also convicted, realizing that the western world needs to repent and answer God's call to holiness. How can we witness of a changed life when our American standards for morality are inferior to those of the Muslim world?
About the Authors
Al Janssen (who has co-authored more than 25 books) is a member of the board for Open Doors (USA) with Brother Andrew and is director of communications for Open Doors International. Janssen lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Favorite Quote from the Book
"Don't bring Hollywood; bring Christ. Don't bring power. Don't bring just your money. Bring love. Bring the kingdom."Venice Kichura is a freelance writer and guest contributor for About.com. Besides writing articles, short stories, and poems, she's a pencil artist who also dabbles in watercolors and acrylics, as well as enjoys needlework, crochet, and knitting. Her main passion is ministering to both Christians and nonbelievers through the printed word. For more information visit Venice's Bio Page.
