We recently carried an item highlighting an event which was being staged by Muslim friends for the purposes of informing us about Islam from a first hand view. Our purpose was to highlight a chance to hear about Islam from the vantage point of someone who espouses it, you know? But one Brigada reader took offense, in a way. When we responded to him with an apology, if we had erred by promoting the event, her replied, “Working for about 20 years among Muslims now, I really want to see more mission minded Christians or in general many more believers to understand Islam and love Muslims! But at the same time I see even here in the city I live many Christians focus on ‘interreligious dialogue’ instead of sharing the gospel, Imams performing Islamic prayer calls in churches and the like. I know that if we’re walking with Jesus, we are the only ones not to be afraid, but still it’s a very deceiving spiritual power behind Islam. I feel it’s very important to make a difference: It’s not the same if we talk about Muslims – or Islam. Muslims are first of all people, created by the heavenly father who longs for a personal relationship with each one… who loved each one of them so much that he humbled himself, came to walk on the earth as the Son, giving up everything for them – for us all. But Islam is much more than just a false teaching. It’s a spiritual power that receives adoration from 1.4 billion people – a wave turning around the globe 5 times a day, responsible for a lot of fear, terror and death. So I’m a bit critical when it comes to inviting Christians to an Islamic event with the Islamic Center’s intention to promote Islam.
I pray that there will be spiritual awake believers who are able to confront the powers and invite Muslims to Jesus.” He added, “I’m not sure if you understand my point – English is not my first language.” We did understand his point. And we wondered about your take on his response. If you have a moment, please click “Comment” after the web version of this item. Thanks in advance for your input.
He’s right.
I feel that outreach into highly energized movements in America, like Islam and the New Age, requires some mental preparation, but more importantly, the power of the Holy Spirit to bring about a new creation in each of us. Furthermore, engagement with these groups will invariably end in frustration or conversion–possibly either way.
Hollenweger documents that worldwide conversions to Christianity follow: 1) healing, 2) dreams and visions, and 3) friendship. Note that dialog, peace-making, polemics and preaching aren’t on the list. I know that some people like to argue religion, but Jesus and Paul relied on the power of the Holy Spirit. I am currently training people who are serious about healing and dream interpretation as ministry vehicles in the New Age and in Islam. Currently I am in the New Age as the “dream guy,” and still working to break into Islam as a dream interpreter. Healing and dream interpretation can be mastered, in time, by anyone who treasures the Word and seeks the voice of God.
I don’t mean to make this a promo for what I’m doing; my point is that this man’s objection demands a strategy that causes people to look at Jesus as the name above all names. He heals, He speaks, He truly loves. He rocks my life and He will do the same for them.
I agree with his perspective. Islam is not our friend. We want to have Muslim friends and share the good news with them, but Islam is a tool of Satan which has been used to deceive millions.
I love Muslims, but I do not love Islam.
Having lived in the Muslim and Hindi world for many years, I guarantee you that both are out to destroy and bury Christianity and not to live amicably side by side.
Yes, I think our brother made an excellent point. We don’t need more interfaith dialogues (all religions eventually lead to God) or even worse, just a lecture from M uslims to Christians.
Much better are what is called ‘Meetings for Better Understanding’ (MBU) which gives both parties a chance to have an equal say and learn from each other in a balanced way. We have done MBU’s for several years now and it is one of the best tools we found. Details about MBU’s are available here:
http://www.pcacdm.org/meetings-for-better-understanding-a-church-without-walls-model-for-reaching-muslims-for-christ/
And here:
http://www.oscar.org.uk/oscaractive/articles/mbu.htm
Of course, it is only a tool, the Holy Spirit needs to convict people of sin, righteousness and justice. But it is a good tool.
I have mixed feelings about the sort of “open hosue” events, which are just a structured witness for Islam or Christianity. However, in the context of a course like “Ecnountering the World of Islam”, “Bridges”, “Cross & Crescent,” etc., it can be a very helpful encounter, also benefitting from a Christian preparatory set beforehand and debriefing discussion afterwards.
“In the wild” I really prefer, “Meetings for Better Understanding” (MBU), “Scriptural Reasoning,” and other meetings where both faiths have the opportunity to talk about a topic from their Faith perspective and to ask questions of the other to gain clarity and understanding.
Last evening I presented in Preston(UK) on “The Role and Nature of Prophets,” opposite a respected Sheikh from Liverpool. Not a debate, he presented for 30 minutes on the Muslim view and I for 30 minutes on the Christian view and then took nearly an hour of questions as people sought to clarify and understand better.
When we gave each other the time and space to explain through the lens of our Faith, we all learned a lot are realised that thought there are areas of overlap, we have two very different systems for understanding and categorising prophets. While we disagreed strongly that the other position was correct, and were even offended at bits of the other position, we gained a greater understanding and respect for the other faith’s approach. And, as importantly, we respected each other and found an affection for each other. The group was well engaged, with good questions, but also shared in the healthy atmosphere while witnessing to what we believed and no hint of compromise. We had a similar experience last year on Prayer.
Shouldn’t that be the shape of our conversations about faith?
I am reminded of the admonition to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. We live in a world where there is a lot of diversity. Many people have relatives and friends of each religion. Each religion has strong opinions about the errors that the other is making. If our love is to mean anything, we need to know that some of the people we know for many years may disagree with us about religion. For some people it is ok to visit mosques and learn from them. For others the commitment that is shown may cause them to convert to Islam. In this issue there may be no right answer that applies to everyone. Each Christian should do what God calls them to do.
I think some approaches are more appropriate in one context than another, and that some followers of Jesus are more gifted at taking one approach versus another. Islam is not one monolithic movement and it doesn’t require only one approach.
I agree with your objector. The goal of the Muslim speaker is to promote Islam. If there is no follow up debrief with those being encouraged to listen they will not fully understand Islam. They need to also hear from a missionary who has worked with Muslims or from a Muslim Background Believer to get a full picture of what Islam is about.