An evangelical holding to a dispensational eschatology for most of my Christian life, I "consider the source" when I hear criticism of any kind towards Israel--apple of God's eye--and I invariably consider that source "antisemitic" or "Biblically illiterate."

It just isn't possible to apply either of those labels to God's Smuggler! Without attacking anyone's end-times theology, Brother Andrew opens our eyes to suffering on *both* sides of the Middle Eastern conflict. I was moved to pray when I heard the almost daily reports of suicide bombs before I read the book, but now, my prayers are more intelligent, and they are supplications *with* thanksgiving: thankyou for musalaha, thankyou for the Cross, to which Jesus Christ calls us all as brothers.

A *most* important book! Oh that every church library in the world had a copy donated to it, especially since Open Doors benefits from the proceeds.

LIGHT FORCE is a wonderfully inspiring book by Brother Andrew (of God's Smuggler fame) and Al Janssen of Open Doors International, taking those interested in what God is doing in the modern Middle East on a powerful and unforgettable journey that reads like the 29th chapter of the Book of Acts. It is chock full of amazing anecdotes you will never read in the New York Times or the Washington Post.

My wife and I had the privilege of having lunch with the authors in Southern California where we peppered them for more details. What struck us most was Brother Andrew's boldness and incurable confidence in a God who can open doors to reach the most unreachable. Over salads and iced tea, Andrew humbly shared story after story of how he personally shared the gospel with Yasser Arafat, with Islamic Ayatollahs, and with Palestinian terrorists exiled to Lebanon. He also told us his unforgettable experience of preaching the gospel to 400 Hamas leaders in Gaza City, which he relates on pages 182-190 of his book.

"I can't change the situation you face here in Gaza," Andrew told the Hamas leaders. "I can't solve the problems you have with your enemies. But I can offer you the One who is called the Prince of Peace. You cannot have real peace without Jesus. And you cannot experience Him without forgiveness. He offers to forgive us of all our sins. But we cannot receive that forgiveness if we don't ask for it. The Bible calls this repentance and confession of sin. If you want it, then Jesus forgives. He forgave me and made me a new person. Now I'm not afraid to die because my sins are forgiven and I have everlasting life."

Hearing the story, I had to confess to Brother Andrew that it had never dawned on me to pray for-much less preach the gospel-to Hamas leaders. But isn't that what Jesus tells us to do, to love our enemies? What made the story all the more remarkable was that rather than lynching Andrew for trying to convert them to Christ, the Hamas leaders invited him to speak to other Muslims.

"Andrew, I believe you know that I teach at the Islamic University," said one. "To my knowledge, we have never had any lectures about Christianity. While you were talking, I was thinking that it would be helpful for our students to know about real Christianity. Would you consider coming to the university and giving a lecture about the differences between Christianity and Islam?"

Even the Palestinian Christian leaders who accompanied Brother Andrew to the event were taken aback. "I think my God is too small," said the head of the Palestinian Bible Society. "I never thought that a Christian could speak to radical, fanatical fundamentalists. But even if someone did have a chance, it never occurred to me that they would actually want to sit and listen to the gospel. Today God showed me how big He is."

An absolute must read for anyone interested in the future of the Middle East.

(www.joelrosenberg.com)