Former Congressman and Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations Mark D. Siljander takes us on an eye-opening journey of personal, religious, and political discovery. In the 1980s, Siljander was a newly minted Reagan Republican from Michigan who joined Congress in the same generation as Newt Gingrich and Tom DeLay, ready to remake the world. A staunch member of the Religious Right, he once walked out of the National Prayer Breakfast when a speaker quoted from the Qur'an.
But after losing reelection, Siljander dove into the Bible to look for the passage in which the Bible says it is our job as Christians to convert others in order to save them from eternal damnation. He couldn't find it; in fact, he couldn't even find a passage saying that Jesus set out to form a new religion. This discovery was the first step on a spiritual and political journey that started with an in-depth linguistic study of the Bible and led to the discovery that Christianity and Islam share many base words and concepts. In his role as ambassador to the United Nations Siljander began sharing his insights on the connections between Islam and Christianity, with surprising results.
A Deadly Misunderstanding recounts Siljander's amazing discoveries as he travels to some of the most remote and hostile places in the world—deep into Libya, Sudan, Pakistan, and India—forging deep ties with both heads of state and religious leaders. What he has learned could radically shift the contemporary religious landscape and help heal the rift between Islam and the West. No Christian or Muslim will be unaffected after reading this book.
Living out the teachings of IsaNovember 29, 2008 By going to Muslim leaders, Mark utilizes his ex-Congressman's "edge" while actually doing what Jesus (Isa) taught. There is a way to relate to our "enemies" with love, forgiveness, blessing or "doing good", as well as prayer for and with them. Westerners, especially we Evangelicals, need to learn "bridge-building" instead of war and enmity. Mark Siljander shows us how, and it works! With a few Arab partners, I provide a bridge-building Arabic language web site which has attracted more than 300,000 visitors. 85% of them are Muslims who want to dialogue with Christians to build bridges of relationship. Don't make war; make bridges of relationship. Mark Siljander will inspire you and require you to rethink your view of the Muslim world. I live in that world, and I plead with you - do it now! They need to hear from a friend!
Building Bridges of UnderstandingNovember 22, 2008 Dr. Siljander has undertaken a courageous journey in order to build bridges of understanding in A Deadly Misunderstanding. The journey is a very difficult one, and it has required enormous personal sacrifice. But he has made a big step forward in this process, and he is to be commended for his courange, patience, and tenacity. The book builds an important bridge to dialogue and relationship. John Mumford
A Deadly MisunderstandingNovember 18, 2008 Siljander gives an outstanding treatise on the breakdown between 2 religions that influence over half of the world's population. A book of hope in a time of fear of an "Ambassador" who has grasped the true meaning of being an Ambassador of reconciliation who has not only been successful politically but who has found the key to the "misunderstanding" between all cultures and religions. An absolute must read for anyone who is serious about being part of the solution instead of the problem.
A Deadly MisunderstandingNovember 13, 2008 I purchased a Koran just over a year ago after bringing a Turkish young man to America to get his education. I thought I needed to understand what he might believe. About a year ago, I took him to a three hour study providing some of the material from this book, namely Jesus in the Koran. What I originally thought would help my new student understand more about Jesus,opened my eyes to what could become a very significant bridge to Muslims, teaching them of Isa (Jesus) from their own Holy Book the Koran. Recently, I was told that "A Deadly Misunderstanding" was out, I purchased it and could not put it down. I talk to everyone about this and now have something in print I can give to them. I am an evangelical, Bible thumping, born again, Christian as is Mark. But this information has opened my eyes to what I knew all along. That namely, we were missing something to bridge to the Muslim people, but I just did not realize what. Muslims have become excited that we would even consider reading the Koran and many of them have no idea what it really says. Further, there are things in our Bible that confuse them. This book will help you understand that issue for Muslims. I can now only hope that Obama, unknowningly today, may provide a Spiritual opportunity to build the bridge between Muslims and Christians (Followers of Christ)by allowing Mark and others to receive more open doors to teach Isa (Jesus) from the Koran and point out the misunderstandings Muslims have about our Bible. A Spiritual answer is the only answer to stop the battles between east and west. These will only become worse unless we teach them what their own Holy Book says. Don't miss reading this book. It may be the most important book you will read in your lifetime. It could be a world changer of significance with help from our God.
Concerned about the Christian/Muslim divide? Read this book!November 13, 2008 This book is a MUST READ for anyone (Christian, Muslim or any other religion) who wants to understand the truth about what the Q'uran actually says about non-Muslims and how Christians should deal with Muslims. Mr. Siljander has done extensive linguistic studies so that he can compare what the Q'uran says in Arabic and what the original language of the Bible (Aramaic) says versus the accepted English translations. You will be amazed and the misunderstandings on both sides of the Muslim-Christian issue. Personally, I think our next president would be wise to place Mark Siljander in a position as an ambassador to the Middle Eastern countries (Muslim, Jewish and Christian) as well as with the majority Muslim countries in other areas of the world.
