Pilgrims of Christ on the Muslim Road: Exploring a New Path between Two Faiths

Paul-Gordon Chandler
Cowley Publications (2007)
ISBN 9781561013173
Reviewed by Linda Benninghoff for Reader Views (10/07)   

In “Pilgrims of Christ on the Muslim Road,” Paul Gordon Chandler is writing a book that may help bridge the gap between Eastern and Western faiths--using the life-story of Mazhar Mahlhoui, a novelist who grew up a Sufi in Syria, but who became a follower of Christ, whose novels interpret Christianity in a way to make it understandable and acceptable to Muslims.  Gordon heightens the difference between true and false Christianity, and outlines the difficulties of Muslims who embrace the way of Christ.

When Mazhar first comes to believe in Christ, his family rejects him.  His uncle tries to kill him.  What Mazhar has done seems unthinkable, a rejection of their way of life.  Christianity has become associated with the west for Arabs, and the West’s attempts to achieve hegemony.  Western Christianity is not the same as the way of life practiced by Christ--and too often is accompanied by materialism and violence toward Arabs.   Mazhar feels that the Bible is a book of Eastern culture, and can be better understood from that point of view.

After Mazhar leaves Syria he makes a long pilgrimage through various countries, including Morocco, Tunisia, the U.S. (where he is educated and marries) and eventually settles in Beirut.  When he attempts to return to Syria he is put in jail and deported.  He does see his family, and they accept him.  His attitude toward the Muslim faith is by now less hostile and his family welcomes him.

The book clearly demonstrates the hostility of Arabs toward Christians, although Christ is recognized as a prophet by Mohammedans.  Western violence and dominance in the Middle East seems to have turned Arabs completely against Christianity.  The book suggests Ghandi was a true Christian, although he did not convert, but was a follower of the life of Christ.  Mazhar, who attempts to share his Christianity with the Muslim world, also figures as a true Christian facing many life-threatening situations in the pursuit of his faith.

While Mazhar and his community retain their Muslim culture but follow the life of Christ, this will not be easy for all Muslims.  Yet it is up to the west to reexamine its attitudes toward Muslims and to rethink its own Christianity.  What is the true Christianity?  “Pilgrims of Christ on the Muslim Road” helps answer that question.  Innovative, readable and timely, it also suggests a way that East and West can be bridged.

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