The Hidden Enemy: Aggressive Secularism, Radical Islam, and the Fight for Our Future

by Michael Youssef

What's going on in our world?
Why are suicide bombers attacking our cities? Why are shooters invading our workplaces and malls? Why are students attacking speakers at their colleges? Why are there two versions of the truth on the Internet and in the media?

Michael Youssef, popular teacher and Middle Eastern expert, explains in detail what's troubling today's world. Aggressive secularism is stripping our nation of the vestiges of truth, as many Christians are browbeaten into silence. What's ironic is that secularism is actually opening the door to the "might makes right" nature of radical Islam. In a post-truth world, the most powerful voice wins.

What can save us and our children from this chilling future? Michael Youssef, in this groundbreaking book, shows how we can win the war against aggressive secularism, beat back the threat of radical Islam, and build a brighter future for both ourselves and the next generation.

Be prepared for the times in which we live. Understand what's happening. Stand up for a brighter and hope-filled future for our children.

Genres: Christian, Christianity, Nonfiction

224 pages, Hardcover

Published March 6, 2018

About the author

Michael Youssef is the founder and president of Leading The Way with Dr. Michael Youssef, a worldwide ministry that leads the way for people living in spiritual darkness to discover the light of Christ through the creative use of media and on-the-ground ministry teams (www.LTW.org). His weekly television programs and daily radio programs are broadcast in 25 languages and seen worldwide, airing more than 13,000 times per week. He is also the founding pastor of The Church of The Apostles in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Youssef was born in Egypt, but in 1984, he fulfilled a childhood dream of becoming an American citizen. He holds numerous degrees, including a PhD in social anthropology from Emory University. He has authored more than 35 books, including recent popular titles The Barbarians Are Here and Jesus, Jihad and Peace. He and his wife have four grown children and eight grandchildren.

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rarely say a book is a must read for every Christian but this latest book by Michael Youssef is such a book. The subtitle is: Aggressive Secularism, Radical Islam, and the Fight for our Future.

I have watched Leading the Way quite often so I knew before reading the book that it would be well researched and Biblically correct. Dr. Youssef offers a unique background to understand what is going on in our country since he was born in Egypt and lived in Lebanon before coming to the United States.

I thought I knew a lot about what is happening in the U.S. but what I learned in this book was an eye opener. That is why I say every Christian should read it and understand how close we are to losing our freedoms. If you have friends or family that scoff at you when you voice a concern, get this book for them!

Chapters

The Truth About our Future
The Truth Be Hanged
What America is--and Isn't
Secularism, the Enemy Within
Finding the Truth in a Post-Truth World
Will Political Islam Destroy Western Civilization?
Illusion and Delusion--or Truth?
Is God's Judgment Inevitable?
Action Agenda, You Can Make a Difference
Epilogue: The Evangelist and the Terrorist


While looking at the changes happening in this country from the view of one who was a Christian living in the Middle East, the author understands the dangerous situation this country is in. However, he doesn't leave the reader there... he offers advice on what can be done right now and like the pastor he is, directs our attention to the Lord for peace and guidance.

The Hidden Enemy was provided by the publisher for the sake of review but the opinions are my own.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent review of the events that have gotten the Western world to the point where we are at risk of losing our freedoms. The author is an Egyptian immigrant, well acquainted with Islam. His alarm at events of the past 50 years and his call to action are completely biblical and a real challenge to the many Christians who are intimidated and tempted to compromise with a post-Christian culture.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book! Michael Youssef is a social and cultural expert and Christian pastor who grew up in Egypt in a Christian family in a Muslim nation. His dream was to become a U.S. citizen, which he achieved. He provides great historical, social, cultural, political, and religious perspective on what is going on in our world -- and more specifically, in our country. Thought provoking...hits the nail on the head.

[Laila · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would like to thank my sister in Christ, Sasha Liddell who bought boxes of this books and generously gave them away to anyone who wants to read it. May God bless you most abundantly and protect you and your family under the shadow of his wings.

This is the first book I ever read from this author and I'm impressed by his writing style, prose and how he structure his argument. He's come across as diligent and sincere with his concerns that said I will certainly read his other works.

As an ex-Muslim and Christian convert from Malaysia, I'd to leave my country in order to practice my new faith and New Zealand has been a home for me as the United States for this author. As such, I shared his concerns, I too see the dangerous trajectory that New Zealand is heading towards. No spoiler but I leave you with this:
"... Do you love God enough to seek His mercy for your nation? Do you love your fellow human beings, your family, your children, and your grandchildren enough to pray for the nation they will live in, the nation they will inherent? Do you love your country enough to go to your knees, asking God to heal your land?" p. 193

[Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

A special thanks to Tyndale House Publishers for sending me a complimentary copy of Michael Youssef’s book, The Hidden Enemy.

Our nation and our people are under attack. Religious persecution is on the rise. We have an external enemy [radical Islam] and an internal enemy [secular humanism], but there is another enemy—a hidden one. One that many of us may not even realize. Yet, one that we desperately need to open our eyes to see.

In Michael Youssef’s book, The Hidden Enemy, he discusses everything from fake news and media manipulation, his own personal testimony of growing up during civil unrest in Egypt, the historical tensions which have existed between Muslims and Christians, and even the ever-quickening descent into an age of relativism and emotional decision making. Our generation is spiraling down a bottle of sin to which there is no end. Even many so called “Christian” churches within our own borders are forsaking the truth of God’s Word and exchanging it for a lie (Rom. 1:25).

What can we do to prevent the collapse of one of the greatest nations in world history? How can we better exemplify Christ to a world of people who would rather do their own thing? Is there still time to change, or have we already past the point of no return in our decline? Michael Youssef offers powerful insights into today’s world and gives practical steps on how to combat the hidden enemy.

A must-read for everyone! Between Youssef’s engaging writing and use of current events, you will not be able to put this down!

https://cameronneace.blogspot.com/201...

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Update after my second reading of The Hidden Enemy: This is one of my favorite Michael Youssef books because he hits all of the important points and provides a plan for our survival. I see me reading this one again...and again!

The author, Dr. Michael Youssef, grew up in Egypt as a Coptic Christian. He was educated in Egypt and has a thorough knowledge of Egyptian history, politics, and religious clashes. In 1984 he fulfilled his childhood dream and became an American citizen. With his new book, The Hidden Enemy, Dr. Youssef looks at what is happening in today's world with suicide bomber attacks in our cities, shooters in our workplaces and malls, college students attacking conservative speakers to prevent them from sharing their message, and seemingly different versions of the "truth" in the media and on the internet. Dr. Youssef presents and analyzes this and more to explain what is troubling the world today. He points to aggressive secularism and anti-Christian bias that has been distorting the truth and, ironically, opening the door to the nature of radical Islam. He states that in a post-truth world, the most powerful voice wins. He presents possible solutions to help America and western society pull back from this chilling future, win against aggressive secularism, push back the threat from radical Islam, and make a better future for ourselves and future generations. In order for this to work, we must first understand that there is a threat and decide that we must do something about it. Some parts of the book were a bit more religious than what I normally read, but it fits with who Dr. Youssef is and based on his background and experiences in dealing with anti-Christian bias from the middle east to Europe and America. If you want a clear and easy to understand analysis of what is going wrong in our global society today, this book may have some answers for you and help identify who the hidden enemy really is..

[Katherine Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t tend to lean into this kind of reading, but I embrace it on occasion because I know the exposure is necessary for keeping my mind and heart open to what’s happening in our broken world. It’s one of those books I didn’t particularly want to read but knew that, despite its heavy subject, it would be worth my while. In this, I was right. It was very worth the effort for the insights and clarity it provided.

The Hidden Enemy is for Christians distraught by the divide in our culture, for those seeking to understand its causes along with practical actions to take. Its emphasis is grace, love, and truth. Michael Youssef is as articulate in his discernment as he is compassionate and non-judgmental. I experienced many an “aha” moment along the way. His identification and explanation of “underdogma,” for instance, was particularly eye-opening.

I do feel that this book’s audience is broader than the cover suggests — that a different art design would expand its appeal and reach a greater diversity of readers.

All told, I’m glad I read it. While its message is sobering, it’s not without hope. It certainly leads me to pray more earnestly: for myself, for my nation, for our world.

Thanks to Tyndale Momentum for providing me this book free of charge. All opinions are mine.

[Cheryl Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

What’s going on in our world? Dr. Youssef, a social and cultural expert, explains in detail the destructive forces tearing our world apart. Agressive secularism is stripping our nation of truth, as many Christians are browbeaten into silence. What can save us from this chilling future? The author shows how we can win the war.

The Hidden Enemy: Aggressive Secularism, Radical Islam and the Fight for Our Future peaked my interest simply because our nation and our people are under attack, religious persecution is on the rise and people are afraid to voice their opinion for fear of offending others. This book was quite an eye-opener.

The author shares his own personal testimony of growing up in Egypt during civil unrest and tensions which have existed between Christians and Muslims. Every Christian should read this book and completely understand that we are slowly losing our freedoms.

“They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.” Everyone’s eyes should be on Jesus and no one else.
‭‭Romans‬ ‭1:25‬ ‭NLT‬‬

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy.



Review Q & A-



- What did you like about the book and why? The author is sharing his truth and he is an expert so the book reflects that.



- What did you not like about the book and why? It is super controversial and could be taken either way. If you have a stronger religious faith than others in certain topics, this could be hard to get through.



- What did you learn? You need to be more aware of the whole situation before letting the media run your thoughts.



- To whom would you recommend this book and why? ANyone who wants a clear look at the world through the eyes of this author.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

A look at aggressive secularism and militant Islam and the effects these movements are having on Western society from the perspective of a Christian who grew up on Egypt and now lives in America. As our culture seems more divided than ever Christians need to focus on the Truth and what their role in society is in a world of moral relativism and "fake news." Full of real world examples and citations to history and the Word this was a thought provoking read. I would rate this book 3.5 stars if Goodreads allowed half stars. I received a free copy of this book through the Goodreads First Reads Giveaways.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

With a forward by Eric Metaxas (author of Bonhoeffer), this book is an intelligent discussion of some of the problems of our time and what Christians can do to help. The only points where I would disagree with him are on pages 28-29, ie his statement that Western Civilization was born in 1517 with the Reformation. The foundations began way before that, and the Reformation split Christendom in two, against Christ's prayer that His followers be one. His following comments show a misunderstanding of Catholic Doctrine. Apart from that, an excellent book.

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tyndall sent me a copy of this to review. I found it fascinating but also a scary look into political intrigue that is going on today. Michael Youssef brings the ideas of this book together in a way that I completely get.
It is questions I have been asking myself, why certain political machines want one thing and others want another. But it doesn't have to do with making the world better but rather what would benefit them at the time. Everything seems lead by emotion. We are fracturing into left vs right.
This book brings biblical knowledge into why things are happening or not happening. It definitely gives a greater picture to the warfare, unseen and right in front of us, that is going on in this age.
The author's insight into all of these things happening currently, is wise. He knows Egypt and he knows politics. I think this book is an excellent one to read for his perspective on socialism and uprisings that are happening as I type. Reading this, it does become more clear, that misinformation in the media and wanting to bring home a narrative that may not be truthful is highly prevalent today. Which makes it more and more important that we be aware of what is truth and what isn't. We need wisdom more than anything and this book was really good resource.

[Mary Nee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an intelligent discussion of some of the problems of our time and what Christians can do to help.You need to read this book to help keep your mind and heart open to what’s happening in our broken world.

[Ramey Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful insight

Excellent!! Thoughtful guidance for today's troubled world, if only we would ALL follow this plan. Prayer could perform miracles in this complex situation.

[Unna · Rating 3 out of 5]

TBR

[Heather G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative read that gave me a better understanding of Islam and left thinking politics and how it affects America.

[Dubya · Rating 5 out of 5]

America will be destroyed from within. People are too scared to stand up for the Last Best Hope for Humanity and will let it be destroyed.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book. Dr. Youssef speaks from personal experience. A must read.

[Bobbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book. Youssef pulls no punches in presenting the Christian perspective on current affairs and the approach Christians should take to affect change

[The Book Squirrel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is written by Dr Michael Youssef, who will (or should) be known in most Christian circles. He tackles current political events from a Christian point of view, going back to the Bible throughout his argument. Having grown up in Egypt and immigrated to the United States, he has an interesting point of view from his personal experience.
As the subtitle suggests, the increasing secularism of modern society (and in some cases, the Church) and the expansion of Islam across the world are two prominent topics. Youssef's stance may be confronting and even outright offensive to many, especially non-Christians, but he raises fascinating points that are certainly worthy of pondering.
Overall, this is a quick and relatively easy read.
While written primarily for a Christian reader, and it should be a must-read for that audience, I would recommend this book to everyone.

If you are looking for something similar, I would recommend:
The Story of Muhammad (available to read online).
Ayaan Hirsi Ali's biography, Infidel.
Islam: the challenge to the Church by Patrick Sookhedo.
and if you want more of an understanding of the Quran, try The complete infidel's guide to the Koran.