Understanding Islam

The recent arrests of Islamist terrorists in Canada has resulted in Canadian commentary by scholars on the problems of Islam and terrorism. I sometimes wonder about the backgrounds of commentators. Consider Gordon Nickel:

Gordon Nickel, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Intercultural Studies, Director of Master of Arts in Cross-Cultural Ministries Program
Education:
* B.A., University of Saskatchewan
* M.A., Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary
* M.A., School of Oriental and African Studies, London
* Ph.D., University of Calgary
Gordon served as a missionary among Muslims in Pakistan and India between 1988 and 2003. His academic research is in the earliest commentaries on the Qur'an. He has taught at St. Thomas Theological College in Karachi, Centenary MB Bible College near Hyderabad, India, and Bethany Bible Insitute. He joined the faculty of Canadian Theological Seminary at ACTS in 2003. Gordon's desire is to help prepare and mentor a new generation of cross-cultural ministers in this exciting era of "World Christianity." He is the author of "Peaceable Witness Among Muslims" (Herald Press, 1999).

His commentary in the Candada's National Post is a must read and contains Koranic and other illuminating source quotes.