{Book Review} 40 Questions About Islam

40 Questions about Islam is written by Matthew Aaron Bennett, and edited by Benjamin Merkle. Kregel Academic is the publisher of this wonderful book as well as all of the books in this excellent series (40 Questions). 

This post may contain affiliate links. At no extra cost to you, we may receive a small commission if you purchase through our links. Thank you for supporting this ministry!

40 Questions About Islam

I am a huge fan of the “40 Questions” series in general! I love the format. No, I really love the format of these books!

Though I typically enjoy reading books from cover to cover, I also cherish books like this that I can reference over and over again when needed. For instance, though I haven’t yet read this book in its entirety, if I have a question arise that has anything to do with Islam, the first place I will run to is the Table of Contents in this book. I will find the question I’m thinking through, turn to the chapter, and spend about 5 minutes reading about the topic I’m interested in. Then, typically, that will lead to other questions and related topics, and I’ll end up reading 4 or 5 chapters in the book. It’s kind of addicting, like the “choose your own ending” books that I read as a child. 

In regards to this book on Islam, Bennett has provided the church with a wonderful blessing. If you don’t know much about Islam, this book will not make you an expert on the topic, but it will definitely inform you to the point that you can have much more loving and fruitful conversations with your Muslim neighbors and friends. It is really a great crash course on the religion of Islam.

Bennett has 7 parts to the book:

1. The Traditional History of Islam
2. The Sources of Authority of Islam
3. The Theology of Islam
4. The Practice of Islam
5. The Quran and the Bible
6. The Development of Contemporary Critical Scholarship
7. The Christian Gospel and Followers of Islam

Each chapter answers the question (obviously!), and then provides a summary of the answer. Following the summary are reflection questions to help the reader process what they just read. Again, I’m a huge fan of the format. 

Bennett writes with a very warm, tender-hearted tone in this book. He is not an angry apologist who is condescending and rude. Instead, he writes as someone who desires to better understand Islam for the purposes of loving his neighbor and leading them to Jesus Christ. And, well, that would be the truth. Bennett lived for seven years in North Africa and the Middle East where he helped Christians better understand their Muslim neighbors. 

RELATED: Who Is Jesus?

Bennett really knows his stuff! At times, the reader will think that Bennett was actually a long-time Muslim himself who converted to Christianity. The main body of the literature along with the footnotes show that Bennett has studied and done his research. This will serve the reader very well! 

I enjoyed each section of the book, but so far, I would say the last part is my favorite (the Christian Gospel and Followers of Islam). For the Christian, this is really where the rubber meets the road. However, keep in mind that part seven follows parts one through six. It’s saved for last for a reason. It’s important to first listen before speaking, so take the time to read about Islamic teaching so that you can be an even better converse with your Muslim neighbor. 

I can’t recommend this book (and series) highly enough! Tolle lege, take up and read! 

Disclaimer: My thanks to Kregel Academic for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book on behalf of an unbiased review. The opinions expressed are my own. 

Other Book Reviews in the “40 Questions” Series:

• 40 Questions About Pastoral Ministry
• 40 Questions About Heaven and Hell
• 40 Questions About Typology and Allegory