In these troubled times of religious extremism, interfaith relations between Christians, Muslims, and Jews are increasingly important. As a minister of The United Church of Canada ministering in communities where Christian majorities interface with robust Muslim and Jewish minorities, Doctor Brian Arthur Brown faced up to some questions in the years following Sept. 11.

The Qur’an says Jesus was the Messiah, born of the Virgin Mary, that he rose on high and he will return prior to Judgment Day? Women unnamed in the Bible have names preserved in Islam?   The coming of Muhammad was prophesied by both Moses and Jesus in the Bible?   Who knew these things?   One surprise many Christians and Jews have found in exploring the Qur’an is a story of Noah’s fourth son, a tale not found in the Bible.

In the Qur’an Noah is called a “warner,” and his youngest son, Canaan, was among those who failed to heed the warnings in this cautionary tale. Canaan derides his parents for making an ark, refuses to get on board, even as the rain falls, and he drowns. In reference to prophetic warners like Al Gore (global warming), Ralph Nader (consumerism) and Michael Moore (guns and health care), Brian Arthur Brown uses the story of Noah’s Other Son as a parable for our time.


Noah's Other Son actually examines 25 familiar figures from the Bible, the ones who populate the Qu'ran, revealing how these characters can point present-day Muslims, Christians and Jews toward more mature relationships within what Brown calls “The dysfunctional familyof Abraham, Sarah and Hagar.”


Noah's Other Son is also an introduction to the place of the Qur'an in Muslim and world cultures, as well as a tool to help equip moderate religious people deal with extremism wherever it is found.  Already in use in many seminaries, it is especially appropriate for congregational book clubs.


Library Journal Endorsement In its 01/06/07 edition,