Praise
“A very useful source-book and anthology of the core messages of Christianity and Islam respectively. The author has provided the reader with every conceivable source on a wide range of interesting subjects. Particularly interesting are the gaps between the messages where the reader can see the subjects about which Jesus expanded where Muhammad did not, and vice-versa. Relying upon the texts to speak for themselves, St. Michael has provided us with the essential messages of both religions so that everyone can judge them for these messages and by their fruits.” — David Cook, Ph.D., assistant professor of religious studies specializing in Islam at Rice University, author of Studies in Muslim Apocalyptic, Understanding Jihad, and Contemporary Muslim Apocalyptic Literature
“St Michael presents an interesting, useful and new approach to the comparative study of Christianity and Islam. Rather than subject readers to his particular interpretations of the various tenets and articles of the faiths, he chose major topics and arrayed the pertinent passages from the New Testament and Qur’an, accordingly. The selected passages reflect where the faiths agree or differ. This is important because in an atmosphere in which we tend to look for only the comfortable common ground, it is imperative that we also realize what profoundly separates the two faiths. The book additionally provides concise summaries of the early histories of the religions and succinct glossaries of technical terms and beliefs for each faith. Jesus and Muhammad is a valuable handbook for anyone interested in studying the history of these figures and faiths and the contacts and conflicts between the religions.” — Dr. William J. Neidinger, archaeologist and historian associated with the Texas Foundation for Archaeological & Historical Research (tfahr.org). Dr. Neidinger has directed more than two dozen excavations in the Middle East and Europe at Biblical, classical, and medieval sites. His lectures are available worldwide on amazon.com and vimeo.com.
"This groundbreaking work provides a reference for those seeking to quickly compare Jesus' and Muhammad’s approaches on various issues, as presented in the New Testament and the Qur'an. St Michael has done a great job in creating a parallel layout of texts, based on important themes, making it easy for anyone who wants to quickly investigate the two books. In addition, the historical, doctrinal and terminological sections provide valuable material for the serious reader. This book represents a commendable effort that paves the way to a deeper understanding of the similarities and differences of the various teachings found in Christianity and Islam." — Fr. Panayiotis Papageorgiou, Ph.D., translator of John Chrysostom: Homilies on Romans
“Many people today are being told that Christianity and Islam are essentially the same, but whether you are a Christian or a Muslim, comparing the words of the two founders makes it very clear that this is not the case. Certainly there are a number of similarities, such as a belief in one God only, seeking to live a pure life, and reaching out to help others. However, there are also some very great differences. For example, in the Fighting and Warfare chapter and the Miracles chapter of this book, it is eminently clear that Islam and Christianity are very different. This side-by-side comparison makes it easy to note the similarities as well as the differences, and in this way, the reader should gain a greater appreciation for the message from each religion. Another one of the helpful features is that the author allows the words of Jesus and the words of Allah (given to Muhammad) to be presented without the intrusion of the author’s own interpretation or comments. Thus, readers are free to make their own judgments about the content. Is the God of Islam the same God of Christianity? Together with the format that collects the sayings under a number of subject headings, this structure provides a very useful resource book on Christianity and Islam. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand the core ideas of these two religions through a comparison of their teachings.” — Daniel Janosik, Ph.D., adjunct professor of Islamic Studies at Southern Evangelical Seminary and author of John of Damascus, First Apologist to the Muslims
“I thoroughly appreciated the book Jesus and Muhammad: Their Messages, Side-by-Side by Louis St Michael. As a convert to Islam, I found the information and layout of the book very helpful, and it was easy to see the similarities and differences between these two great spiritual leaders and their individual and collective impact on humanity. The book is a good reference for people who are genuinely interested in studying the two religions or two historical figures side by side. I appreciated the fact that the author seems to be neutral in his overall viewpoint and tends to focus specifically on historical information of the two religions and factual similarities and differences between the Bible and the Quran. To my knowledge, I have not seen another book written quite like this one, in such a straightforward and simple way. . . . St Michael simply provides the quotes from the sources and leaves the interpretation to the reader with very little commentary. I have actually shared this book with my older children as a reference point, because half of their family is Christian and the other half is Muslim. . . . the idea that they can reference it at some point when questions arise is exciting. . . . I would highly recommend this book to not only individuals, but also to religious and community organizations that feel as if their congregation or members would be educated through the power of knowledge provided in this book. I appreciate the work that St Michael has put into this work and give it 5 stars.” — Christi Lyle-Rasheed for Manhattan Book Review, ★★★★★
“The often inflammatory arguments between ideological partisans of Christianity and Islam are rarely conducted by way of sober textual analysis. The complex doctrines of the two religions—as well as the prohibitive nature of the foreign languages in which their primary sources were written—make such comparisons less than accessible. St Michael aims to dismantle that barrier to understanding by supplying an impressively comprehensive catalog of the utterances of Jesus and Muhammad. . . . St Michael clearly wants the texts to speak for themselves. . . . For readers of either faith, such a lucid and unbiased record of the points of commonality and disagreement between Jesus and Muhammad is sure to be educational. And the entire book is scrupulously sourced, adding to the general air of transparency and scholarly rigor. . . . An exhaustive compilation of immense theological value, especially as a prologue to future study.” — Kirkus Reviews
“A thought-provoking book that establishes a unique form of dialogue between the two spiritual teachers whose messages are at the core of the two most powerful religions on Earth. . . . The reader can quickly do a comparison between the two sets of scriptures and understand the common lessons shared by the two and what makes their messages unique and different from each other. There is no doubt that this is a well-researched book, and both Christian and Muslim scholars will discover in this work an honest quest for the truth about what divides our world. The book is an in-depth exploration of the core messages of the spiritual guides whose works have been at the heart of some of the greatest revolutions and civilizations the world has ever known. The writer writes in a style that pays homage to the spiritual texts.” — Romuald Dzemo for Readers’ Favorite ★★★★★
“What do Jesus and Muhammad have in common? What makes them different? What is it their followers need to know about their core messages? St Michael offers surprising answers to these questions and allows readers to get to the key messages of the two spiritual figures that have had great impact on human history and man’s relationship with God and with fellow man, helping readers make comparisons between the two. The author . . . makes it easy for readers to see the similarities and the differences in what they both taught. The image of the God of Jesus and Muhammad comes out clearly in these passages, and it provokes serious reflection for readers who are engaged in honestly seeking answers to the religious divide that cripples contemporary society. A gift that curious minds as well as those hungry for the truth should read. . . . St Michael has done an incredible job in putting this book together, a great gift for humanity.” — Christian Sia for Readers’ Favorite ★★★★★
“A very well-written and well-researched book. I appreciated the neutral point of view along with the exhaustive factual information presented from not only the Bible and the Koran, but also from historical sources. The writing is crisp and engaging, and there was plenty of information in this book that I wasn’t aware of, so that was interesting to learn. . . . This is a book that I would recommend to anyone.” — Gisela Dixon for Readers' Favorite, ★★★★★
“A great book in the area of philosophy and spirituality . . . offers readers a unique opportunity to study two great spiritual leaders of history by looking at their core messages placed side by side. . . . St Michael has done a great job in compiling these writings, and readers will also enjoy the relevant historical notes and references at the beginning of the book. . . . This is a gift for anyone who wants to deepen their understanding of the message of Jesus and Muhammad.” — Divine Zape for Readers' Favorite, ★★★★★
"A thorough and painstakingly researched compilation of the lives and statements, as proclaimed in the Christian Bible and the Islamic Q'uran, of two of the world's most historically compelling men. . . . This is done with a scholarly and impartial aspect, without context or opinion, through the use of graphs, charts, outlines, and with unembellished backstory. Jesus and Muhammad: Their Messages, Side-by-Side by Louis St Michael is almost a marvel, and it's absolutely mind-boggling to imagine how St Michael was able to produce such a work in a clean and concise manner. It's been pigeonholed into the genre of religious and philosophical non-fiction, but truly, Jesus and Muhammad: Their Messages, Side-by-Side reads like an accessible piece of academia. The side-by-side format allows for instant comparison with little more than the flick of a page. I can see this book being very useful to anyone needing a quick, fact-based resource, as well as those with an interest in learning more about the two fastest growing, influential, and relevant religions of the world. That St Michael achieves this without the usual bias found in such works lends further credence to its usefulness in any conversation on the topic. Highly recommended, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to read it.” — Jamie Michele for Readers’ Favorite, ★★★★★
