The Bible : An Islamic Perspective : From Judges to Monarchy (Dr. Jay R. Crook)

ISBN: 9781567447439
Author: Dr. Jay R. Crook
Publisher: ABC International Group Inc. (2005)
Pages: 88 Binding: Paperback

Description from the publisher:

From Judges to Monarchy begins with a discussion of Job in the Bible and in the Quran and Islamic tradition. His era is uncertain, but his dilemma is one of the great moments of mankind’s moral development. We then turn to the folk hero Samson. He is perhaps the least characteristic of the judges who led Israel between the Conquest of Canaan and the establishment of the monarchy under Saul. Though not mentioned in the Quran, Samson’s spectacular story has earned a place in Muslim commentaries, the only "judge" to be so honored. Next, we examine the tragic story of Saul, his anointment as king, his victories, and his ultimate rejection by the seer Samuel. The history of Ark of the Covenant and the Philistines are discussed in the context of Saul’s story, as are Gideon and the water test. The volume concludes with an account of the rise of the young David who was destined to replace Saul.

About the Author --

Jay R. Crook (Md. Nur) was born in upstate New York, the second son of a clergman, but spent his formative years in the New York metropolitan area. A chance acquaitance awakened his interest in Islamic culture and civilization, and he soon embraced Islam. After completing his military service and saving some money, he traveled to East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) to study for a few years. He wound up spending most of his working life in the Middle East, especially in Iran and Saudi Arabia. Hired by the Peace Corps as a field representative, he finished in 1971 as Deputy Director in the Iran program. He then enrolled in the Doctoral Program of Persian Literature for Foreigners at Tehran University and received his Ph.D. in 1978. His doctoral thesis was A Comparison of the Quranic Stories of Surabadi With the Bible. Much revised and expanded, it has become the core of The New Testament: an Islamic Perspective and its companion volume The Old Testament: an Islamic Perspective. Subsequent to leaving Iran in 1980, he worked as an English teacher in the U.S. and Saudi Arabia before retiring in 1997. He now resides in the American Southwest and has translated several books from Persian into English, including Kashifi’s The Royal Book of Spiritual Chivalry and Ghazzali’s The Alchemy of Happiness.