Defying ISIS: Preserving Christianity in the Place of Its Birth and in Your Own Backyard

This was, as others have noted, both easy to read and difficult....easy, fast read as to style, but extremely difficult subject. While it was definitely informative, I gave it 4 stars rather than 5 (actually should probably have given 3) because in his section of what we can do I feel there is a glaring omission: prayer. He basically says, get informed, be loving to Muslims, give financially to organizations who are on the ground. Those are great suggestions, but what about the most powerful tool believers have: intercession? I am part of a prayer group who intercedes, at God's direction, about specifics in this area and we consistently see answers in the news. Intercessors shape history! If we all took the horror and sadness we feel about this and turned it into prayer...praying the very presence of Jesus into the situations, praying redemptive prayers, declarations of victory against the evil, etc., it would be powerful! And what about volunteering for these on-the ground-ministries? Good information but he stops short of giving the church helpful tools to deal with it.

I read this book expecting to have my heart touched and I hoped get a clearer sense of what is going on over there. The news has been terrible in their coverage. I suspect because it is too dangerous to get video. But the confusion is evident and about the only thing clear about the coverage. If you want a clearer picture of ISIS and what is going on in the Middle East this is a short but essential book. The author brings you up to date on the historic importance of the area and a better understanding of the role of Christians in the area.You also will get a very real picture of very real people. The author brings them into your living room and you wish they could stay with you and be safe. But then he stuns you! They want to stay and rebuild their homes and communities!This book will humble you as you see the very real and deep Faith of these who have suffered so much. This book should fill our churches with people praying and offering plates with gifts to bless our brother's and sister's.It is my prayer that God will use this book to support and bless the Church over there and awake this lethargic and sleeping Church in America. THIS IS WHY GOD HAS BLESSED US! So we can bless our suffering Church in the cradle of Christianity.

I’m writing this review in the wake of the tragedy that transpired in Paris. Recently I picked up Johnnie Long’s book, Defying Isis: Preserving Christianity in the Place of Its Birth and in Your Own Backyard, and read the book with a certain awe and conviction as Long makes his readers aware of the bloodshed and persecution that is taking place at the behest of Muslim extremists.Long brings the history of the region as the cradle of Christianity into the discussion of the Middle East conflict. Many points of historical facts were unfamiliar to me and Long shows that we are not only losing a generation of Christians but we are losing a culture of Christianity and faith that has been present in the region for several thousand years.I admire that Long writes from the assumption of “American Exceptionalism” and genuinely believes that if enough good people stand against the tides of injustice than the tides will turn. I hope that everyone who has a heart will consider purchasing this book to raise awareness of the greatest humanitarian crisis of the century!-Edwin Handley

I have been hearing about ISIS along with the rest of the Western world for a long time now. The talk of beheadings, rape, slavery, and all kinds of horrible acts committed against other human beings. I didn't however understand much about who ISIS is and the threat they pose to America until reading this book. Besides the fact that ISIS has people on American soil, humans around the world are being killed and abused and most of the population doesn't even notice.Read it and act on what you learn.

This is a key message that we had all better wake up to. Islam has been violent and on the march since its inception and the only way it has ever been stopped is through force. Where is ANY leadership in our nation that sets the vision of Victory over radical Islam? We have not won a war since WW II and we know from scripture that without a vision the people perish. At the base of all today's issues is the urgent need to return to our moral foundations. Remember the white flag with the green pine tree and the words Appeal to Heaven across the top? That was our first flag because George Washington recognized that without God's help we would never win the revolution against England, the most powerful nation and military at the time. Will we as a nation and as a people learn this same lesson?

I say that I loved this book, it is not really a I love it kind of book but I was very moved and I am praying about what I will do next to help defy ISAIS and to help the people who are affected by the atrocities that are being waged on theme every day. You need to read this book if you want to know what is happening and HOW to help

This book is a must read if you want to start to understand more about the world as a whole and as a Christian. It will help you see the world more as Gods whole world view. You will learn to pray and consider all Christians and their needs worldwide instead of only your local prayer wants.

This book will remind you how blessed you are if you live in the west. The stories of persecution and Christians standing firm to the very end are both heartbreaking and inspiring. May God move in that region against evil and may he move in the hearts and minds of other believers to stand up for our fellow persecuted brothers and sisters.

Having heard this book recommended at church last week I can see why. A clear description of the development of Christianity in the east, and the evil force that is destroying the culture , homes and people, but not their faith. And now these three remain: Faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.For those readers in the UK Christian Aid are also providing care and support to displaced Iraqi people.

Really insightful, a recommend read!

informative

This book offers well written, late-breaking background information about a tragedy happening in the Middle East and beyond these days. Moore is well-informed and engaged in helping christians who are chased out of their homelands or slaughtered by Djihadists. Some of what he writes is not easily found in the media, but is all the more urgent news to be told. The historical background of the region is well explained and contains facts about early church history that is hard to find in standard textbooks. Another plus of the book is that Moore gives concrete hints as to what everyone can do to help.

This is an absolute must-read. It shows us the plain ugly truth of what is happening, and underlines the urgency of freedom-loving people and nations to do everything they can to stop ISIS. It is also heart-wrenching to read of the personal stories and the impact this outlaw group is having.

Truly sobering to know that our faith is being severely tested even unto death.

This is thoroughly well researched and cites authorities and sources clearly and with great precision. It has the full and unqualified endorsement of the Vicar of Baghdad who knows only too well the truth of the contents from his personal and continuing experience in Baghdad. It is heartrending in its description of the cruel and brutal atrocities targeted particularly at the Christians but with hardly less ferocity against Azidis and other Moslem communities and the destruction of cultural objects and outstanding art works which have been preserved for millennia from Sumerian, Assyrian, Babylonian, Persian and other great civilisations. It also offers a means for the Western nations and individuals to oppose and defeat ISIS.

good

Not a very helpful book. The title is misleading. The author's idea of defeating ISIS is to love them on the theory that they can't stand being loved. He also suggests that Christians who are fleeing Muslim persecutions can be best helped by giving money to the author's recommended charities. He makes a point of not commenting on political ie: military responses and is true to his word. A largely useless book. Don't waste your money.

good

A lot of the book talked about things that were obvious, things I already knew.