Even if you don’t know the actual statistics, you see the trend. Islam, religion of the False Prophet, is on the rise around the world. It has inundated Indonesia, stirred the passions of thirty or more nations in the Middle East, is flooding into Western Europe, and may be constructing a mosque in your neighborhood at this very moment.
Paul and Carol Bramsen love Muslims, and have served the Lord among the Muslim Wolof people in Senegal, West Africa, since 1991. One of their more effective and widespread ministries has been through radio.
One of the fruits of that labor, free for the plucking by others with a heart for Muslims, is the recently released book, The Way of Righteousness. This substantial 544- page volume is attractively produced with a full-color cover. But it’s what is inside that counts. As Paul writes:
The Way of Righteousness (TWOR) is an English translation of one hundred 15-minute radio programs which I first wrote in the Wolof language for the Muslims of Senegal, West Africa. With Islam’s perspective of God, man, and salvation in mind, TWOR chronologically presents the key stories and central message of God’s prophets. All one hundred programs are interconnected, yet each stands alone—challenging the listener to consider God’s way of righteousness. Several lessons are adapted from Trevor McIlwain’s effective chronological series, Firm Foundations.
The author suggests that the book has a two-fold purpose: first, for Muslim readers, written simply, biblically, lovingly, and wisely for a reader of this faith; second, for translation into other languages for radio (or video) broadcast. I would add a third. I’m reading the book to get a better grasp of the Muslim mindset (I meet Muslims all the time, and you probably do, too) and to find a more effective way of communicating the gospel to them.
The Way of Righteousness, after an introductory chapter entitled “God Has Spoken,” launches into a simple survey of the whole Bible. Covering everything from “What is God Like?” (Gen. 1) to two chapters concluding the book called “What Do You Think About Jesus?” the book could actually be used as a teacher’s (or parent’s) guide to teach young people right through the Word of God. It would also be great for the large Muslim prison population in the US. This book has as many uses as a Swiss Army knife.
There are four helpful appendixes to the book. Appendix A gives a scheme for putting all 100 messages on 20 cassette tapes. Appendix B gives a list of 16 enlightening Wolof proverbs and their gospel applications, a reminder that one of the most effective means of communication (as modeled by our Lord) is through story-telling. Appendix C introduces the chronological method of Bible teaching and its premises for those not familiar with it. Appendix D, “Insights into Islam,” is worth the price of the book.
By the way, you can contact the author via email at:
You can also view the lessons on the internet at:
Paul Bramsen has done the Church a great service with this book. But as he writes: “I cannot claim originality for this series any more than one who arranges a bouquet can take credit for the fragrant aroma and exquisite beauty of the flowers. These lessons are a simple arrangement of the glorious Word of God and a display of the One who is ‘altogether lovely.’”—J. B. N., Jr.