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Christians and Muslims face opposite challenges. We in the West have something to learn from cultures that do not push religion to the margins, that see faith as affecting all of life, and that look to religious leaders for guidance on societal and ethical issues. Meanwhile, Islamic nations have something to learn from the Christian West, which has found liberal democracy to be the best way to protect minorities' rights as nations become increasingly multicultural. Not to learn those lessons leads to disaster, as is playing out in the "clash of civilizations" right now.

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Christian History & Biography has issues on the Crusades and Christian-Muslim relations.

Other Christianity Today articles on Islam and the Crusades include a review of God's War, posted today, and:

How Could Christians Crusade? | Why followers of the Prince of Peace waged war. (May 2005)

Crusades: Christians Apologize for Ancient Wrongs | Christians Retrace Crusaders' Steps

Waging Peace on Islam | A missionary veteran of Asia proposes one way to defuse Muslim anger about the Crusades. (June 2005)

Christian History Corner: Did Eric Rudolph Act in a Tradition of Christian Terror? | A historian considers the evidence of the Crusades and the Inquisition. (June 1, 2003)

Putting the Crusades in Perspective | Do your homework before you see Sir Ridley Scott's "Kingdom of Heaven" this May. (Christian News & Research, February 22, 2005)

A Muslim Perspective on War | "Muslim response to the Crusades showed jihad in action, and while the grievances have changed, the rhetoric still echoes." (October 1, 2001)

Yancey's other columns on the Middle East include:

Middle East Morass | Learning to regard people in light of what they suffer

The Lure of Theocracy | As we flee decadence, we must watch where we step

Hope for Abraham's Sons | What will it take for us to overcome this violent world?

Why Do They Hate Us? | How to turn the Baywatch syndrome into the Jesus syndrome.

Letter from a Muslim Seeker Christians aren't the only ones asking 'Why?' after September's tragedy

Fear and Faith in the Middle East | As I remember my trip to Lebanon, I think how easy it is to write about the gospel from my serene perch in Colorado.

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July 2007, Vol. 51, No. 7