Tea with Hezbollah

When asked to review Tea with Hezbollah, I was immediately intrigued by the title. After reading the book, I'm a little unsure as to what I think about the book. I like the idea that the authors had of traveling to the most dangerous parts of the Middle East to ask very simple and basic questions. I had to remind myself that the mission of this trip was never to convert, only to see things from a Muslim point of view. And a different point of view it is. While it's understandable that Arabs don't like Christians, it was a little sad to hear that same tone coming from the authors at times. Almost a cynicism towards Christianity. I find that to be sad, and it does make me wonder what we've done to our own fellow Christians with our often unChrist-like behaviors towards each other and non-Christians. Having said that, the book was written to read much like a novel and was always very interesting. I learned some things about the history of that region and about the people. I also was reminded that Arabs have been taught from birth that Americans are wicked and wild, and a huge enemy of the Muslim people. As Americans, we must protect ourselves from the extremists that want to kill us, but we must also build relationships with the non-extremists. That's the troubling part, how to find the balance between loving our enemy and protecting our nation and our children?
Tea with Hezbollah will provoke a reader to think about things in a different way and come to their own conclusions - and that's a very good thing.







Is it really possible to love one’s enemies?

Book Summary:
That’s the question that sparked a fascinating and, at times, terrifying journey into the heart of the Middle East during the summer of 2008. It was a trip that began in Egypt , passed beneath the steel and glass high rises of Saudi Arabia , then wound through the bullet- pocked alleyways of Beirut and dusty streets of Damascus , before ending at the cradle of the world’s three major religions: Jerusalem .

Tea with Hezbollah combines nail-biting narrative with the texture of rich historical background, as readers join novelist Ted Dekker and his co-author and Middle East expert, Carl Medearis, on a hair-raising journey. They are with them in every rocky cab ride, late-night border crossing, and back-room conversation as they sit down one-on-one with some of the most notorious leaders of the Arab world. These candid discussions with leaders of Hezbollah and Hamas, with muftis, sheikhs, and ayatollahs, with Osama bin Laden’s brothers, reveal these men to be real people with emotions, fears, and hopes of their own. Along the way, Dekker and Medearis discover surprising answers and even more surprising questions that they could not have anticipated—questions that lead straight to the heart of Middle Eastern conflict.

Through powerful narrative Tea With Hezbollah will draw the West into a completely fresh understanding of those we call our enemies and the teaching that dares us to love them. A must read for all who see the looming threat rising in the Middle East.

Author Bios:

Ted Dekker is the author of many nationally bestselling novels, including Bone Man’s Daughters, The Circle Trilogy, Thr3e, and House, which was coauthored by Frank Peretti. His unique style of storytelling has captured the attention of millions worldwide. Visit him at TedDekker.com.

Carl Medearis is the founder and president of International Initiatives, LLC, an organization that promotes cultural, educational, and commercial exchange between the East and the West. He is an advisor on Arab affairs to the members of the U.S. Congress and leaders in international business.

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group