Islam and the Cross: Selections from "The Apostle to Islam" brings together the most impactful writings of Samuel M. Zwemer, a pioneering 19th- and early 20th-century missionary often referred to as The Apostle to Islam. Compiled and introduced for a contemporary audience, this volume presents the theological reflections, missional insights, and heartfelt convictions of a man who dedicated his life to understanding and reaching Muslims with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Zwemer, a Reformed Christian and a co-founder of the Arabian Mission, spent decades living in and traveling through the Muslim world. He not only studied Islamic theology deeply but also engaged with Muslim communities personally and respectfully. In Islam and the Cross, readers are given access to some of his most significant workexcerpts from articles, sermons, and books that reveal both his theological clarity and evangelistic passion.
Central to Zwemers message is the supremacy of Jesus Christ. He never wavers from proclaiming the uniqueness of Christ as the Son of God, crucified and risen, in contrast to the Islamic view of Jesus as merely a prophet. Yet his tone remains pastoral and urgent rather than polemical. He mourns the spiritual lostness he saw in Islam while also admiring the devotion of many Muslims. This tension gives his writings a rare depthhe neither demonizes Islam nor dilutes the gospel.
The selections cover a wide range of themes: the theological differences between Islam and Christianity, the challenge of presenting Christ to Muslims, the historical spread of Islam, and the urgent need for prayer and mission work in the Muslim world. Zwemer also reflects on the cost of discipleshipboth for missionaries and for Muslim converts who face alienation and persecution.
One of the enduring strengths of Zwemers work is his unwavering belief in the power of the cross and the necessity of grace. He calls Christians to sacrificial love, patient dialogue, and deep reliance on the Holy Spirit in their witness to Muslims. His writings challenge todays readers to confront complacency and engage in missions with renewed seriousness.
Islam and the Cross is more than a historical textits a spiritual call to action. For those interested in cross-cultural ministry, apologetics, or the history of Christian engagement with Islam, this book remains a timeless and deeply stirring resource.
