DOC After Saturday Comes Sunday by Elizabeth Kendal in History

Review

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Excellent and InspirationalBy Martin RothExcellent and inspirational book about the background to the current conflicts in the Middle East; ending with a message of hope.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Fantastic Book. Elizabeth Kendal is the foremost writer/advocate concerning ...By William WilcoxFantastic Book. Elizabeth Kendal is the foremost writer/advocate concerning persecution of Christians in my opinion.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Important reading to understand our timesBy Bill MuehlenbergKendal is an expert on matters of religious liberty; both in Australia and internationally. She is the Director of Advocacy for Christian Faith and Freedom in Canberra. She has been carefully following Islam; religious freedom; the fate of Christians in the Middle East; and the rise of Islamic terror groups such as IS for many years now. This book is a detailed look at what is taking place in the Middle East; the factors that have led to the current crisis; and the way forward.The 25-page bibliography gives us an indication of the intense research and study which has gone into this volume. Chapters deal with topics such as the current crisis in Syria; the Sunni-Shia divide; the rise of IS; the return of the caliphate; and the response of Christians.The title of her book is explained early on: “There is a popular Arabic war cry which never fails to make the blood of Middle Eastern Christians run cold…. (“After Saturday comes Sunday”) is issued as a threat; meaning: As sure as Saturday (the day of Jewish worship); is followed by Sunday (the day Christians worship); first we’ll kill the Jews; then we’ll kill the Christians.” She reminds us that this is no idle threat.Indeed; her nearly 300-page book carefully documents all the persecution; abuse; bloodshed and terror which Christian experience at the hands of Muslims in the Middle East. It is sobering reading; but it is something we all must be aware of.She finishes her book by looking at the “Cost of Quiet Diplomacy”. This is about Christians in the West who for whatever reasons have been cowed into silence; and will not speak out publically about the Islamic attack on Christianity and persecution of Christians.She notes how Christians during the Cold War similarly refused to speak out about the Communist persecution of believers. She closes this way:"The church needs to wake up to the fact that the world is not going to save the church; and that's okay; for God never intended that it should. From Genesis onwards; the bible reveals … that God intervenes and saves his people by grace through faith. Consequently; it is absolutely imperative that the church steps out in faith. The silence of the churches is not only indefensible; it is absolutely disastrous."