A review of the book,
ISIS-The Heart of Terror: The Unexpected Response Bringing Hope For Peace *(affiliate link)
by Eugene Bach. Paperback published by Whitaker House 208 pages.
What can, if anything, be done about ISIS? Do we just bomb them? Should we fear them? Can terrorists be saved?
Eugene Bach is in a unique position to comment on what’s going on in the Middle East. He is a former American marine now living in China who has had many years of missionary work in the region as a leader of the Back to Jerusalem Team.
I’ve been involved in writing and researching the Middle East, Israel and Islam for a number of years. So I consider myself somewhat informed. However, Bach’s book provided data I wasn’t fully aware of. It packs a lot of relevant historical information about Muhammad, Islam and Islamic eschatology, then walks the reader through the how and why of the current Middle East crisis. Along the way Bach guides the reader through the phenomenon of the Arab Spring and discusses entities such as the PLO, Hezbollah, Hamas and ISIS.
I found this observation particularly interesting:
The primary goal of the caliph is to capture the crown jewel – Jerusalem. Israel is located in the Levant. In recent history, Muslims have been able to conquer and occupy almost every country in the Middle East; but, for reasons that cannot be fully understood, the tiny nation of Israel has defied the odds. Even though it is completely surrounded by Muslim countries, it has been able to resist every attack of its Muslim neighbors. ~ Bach (p 28)
Note: The reason Israel has survived and how it was re-established as a nation after nearly 2000 years can be understood in light of God’s word. One can find examples by reading Jeremiah Chapter 31, Ezekiel 37, Zechariah 14 and Amos 9:14-15 among many others. Unfortunately, too many theologians spiritualize these promises made to Israel by erroneously claiming they were fulfilled at Christ’s first coming.
Perhaps the missionary heart of the Back to Jerusalem Team (and Eugene Bach’s) is best expressed on pages 175 to 176. Bach admits he’s been tempted to abandon his “evangelistic endeavors for a season” and re-enlist with his marine friends to go blast some jihadists. But then he cites Ephesians 6:12-13 and writes:
Jesus died for the members of ISIS. His blood was shed for them. Is it too much to believe that the ISIS fighters have been deceived? Jesus loves them because He created them, and if He loves them, then am I not commanded to love them, too?
This echoes the Sermon on the Mount and specifically Matthew 5:44. The book argues cogently that sanctions and military responses are doomed to fail in stopping ISIS and Islamic terrorism. Bach’s ultimate answer is the gospel. To that effect, towards the end of the book, he outlines several innovative strategies used to penetrate deep within the heart of terrorist regions. My favorite strategy is the Gospel Cloud where free Christian themed Wi-Fi is provided in the most remote areas, in order that bored ISIS members may log on and hear the gospel.
Despite all this , we believe the Bible shows that the world will largely reject God’s word. God’s kingdom will not be established by the church. It will be inaugurated by Christ at His return.
Even so, the Back to Jerusalem Organization is a shining example of the kind of Christian missionary mandate we should engage in. Though many will reject the gospel, many others will be saved by it.
ISIS: The Heart of Terror is a highly recommended book.
Purchase Eugene Bach’s
ISIS: The Heart of Terror !
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ISIS-The Heart of Terror: The Unexpected Response Bringing Hope For Peace
Contents
Preface
1) The Western World Meets ISIS
2) The Arab Spring
3) Brother Yun and the Back to Jerusalem Vision
4) The Five W’s of Islam
5) Christians in Iraq and Syria
6) Kurdistan
7) The ISIS Threat
8) ISIS, the PLO. Hezbollah, and Hamas
9) ISIS: The World’s Conundrum
10) Recruits and Military Equipment
11) BTJ’s Three-Phase Plan
12) Can God Reach ISIS
Notes
About the Author