Vol. 38, No. 2 _ February 2007

Robert Spencer is the director of Jihad Watch, a program of the David Horowitz Freedom Center, and author of the New York Times bestseller The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam (and the Crusades) (Regnery, 2005), as well as several other books on Islam and terrorism, including Islam Unveiled: Disturbing Questions about the World’s Fastest Growing Faith and Onward Muslim Soldiers: How Jihad Still Threatens America and the West (Encounter Books, 2003).

In his book, The Truth about Muhammad (Regnery, 2006), Spencer provides modern readers with something they have often been deprived of - a warts-and-all portrait of the prophet of Islam, and at the same time, his insight of what Muhammad’s life implies for the reforming of Islam and dealing with Islamic terrorists. Spencer, who has been studying Islam for two decades, and lives in an undisclosed location, provides first-rate research, relying solely on primary sources considered reliable by Muslims. He also evaluates modern biographies of Muhammad and illustrates how Muhammad has been "changed" (contextualized) for Western audiences, lulling them into consoling, but false conclusions.

Spending time in prayer is one of the chief callings of the minister’s time. In Acts 6:4 the apostles discerned that even the care of widows should not be allowed to encroach upon their devoting themselves "to prayer and the ministry of the word." However, today, many clergy seldom see prayer as something to devote themselves to on a regular basis.

Philip Yancey’s latest book, Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference?, explores in the author’s usual objective style the questions and issues sur-rounding prayer, includ-ing: Is God listening? Why should God care about me? Why do so many prayers go un-answered? Why does God let the world go on as it does and not intervene? Does prayer really help with physical healing? Why does God seem sometimes close and sometimes far away? Does prayer change God or change me? How can I make prayer more satisfying?

Vol. 37, No. 11 _ November 2006

Dr. Teresa Whitehurst is a clinical psychologist and writer who currently works in research on leadership at Harvard University. Her interest in "leadership parenting" grew out of her own experiences as a child and later as a mother of two daughters, as well as through her observations of the serious challenges facing families today. She writes and speaks extensively on parenting issues, and conducts seminars and workshops. In 2003 her book, How Would Jesus Raise a Child? was published by Baker Books. In 2004 the paperback version was published under the title Jesus on Parenting: Ten Essential Principles that Will Transform Your Family (Baker).

Vol. 37, No. 10 _ October 2006
by Charles W. Martin

I called in some special resource people for this issue, since I have had no personal experience with tobacco or alcohol. Perhaps because of my family context and background, these habits were never tempting to me. However, I have learned each of us has certain inherent weaknesses. One person is drawn and more tempted toward one kind of sin, while another is not enticed by it at all. But each of us has weaknesses and areas of temptation. It is always wise to know both one’s strengths and weaknesses.

Our focus in this issue is on drinking alcohol and smoking or chewing tobacco, and whether or not these are, in some sense, sinful. In order to deal with this issue, we must consider the biblical teaching on sin.