In this survey Armour describes the spread of Islam, the first Christian response from criticism to martyrdom and the largely—though not exclusively—“deformed image” of Islam in the medieval West.

Alister McGrath woke me from my globalized stupor in Starbucks in Singapore with the question “Will the twenty-first century be better for Christians than the disastrous twentieth century was?” In less than 175 pages the author explores this question with surprising clarity and astonishing breadth.

The Western church and missions need to fully awaken to the church in Africa. Historically, the Western church seems like a teenager in contrast to the long and complex history of the African church.

One of the most challenging tasks for Western missionaries to Africa is fitting into the local rhythms of money management. At the core of the misunderstandings that often develop is the mutual obligation and interdependence that shapes African life but clashes with Western independence.

Most missions operate in areas with high unemployment, no employment opportunities and low job skills. Often when missions incorporate business into their ministry, they begin to lose the ministry aspects and become focused on the economics.