Is It Easy to Share Your Faith Christian Faith With Muslims

Evangelism: Sharing Your Organized religion… With a Muslim

a cross bridging the gap between Muslims and Christians "You're an American?"

The Syrian was astonished. He had non expected to see an American within the mosque. I was visiting the Omayyad Mosque in Damascus, Syria, the oldest surviving mosque in the Islamic world.

We walked out into the mosque'due south vast courtyard.

"Y'all are a Muslim?" he asked.

"No, a Christian," I replied.

He paused for a moment. "Then why do you come up here?"

Mosque "Historical interest," I answered. "And to see the tomb of John the Baptist." In the prayer hall of the mosque is a small-scale domed shrine, reputedly the burial place of the severed head of the cousin and forerunner of Jesus. Then, curious to detect the man's reaction, I added, "Every bit a Christian, I also wanted to run into the famous minaret of Jesus."

I paused to note the event of my argument. At the southeast corner of the Great Mosque rises the Tower of Jesus. Muslim tradition holds that Jesus will alight on its acme at his second coming. Many Muslims believe that Jesus volition render to globe before the final judgment and assistance theMahdi—an expected Islamic messiah—subdue the forces of evil.

"Yes, Isa [Jesus] will surely announced there," the Syrian replied, looking up thoughtfully at the tower. Then, after hesitating for a moment, he ventured: "You are a Christian. You believe Jesus is God?"

Islam at a Glance

Islam is by and large viewed as the youngest world religion and the globe's 2d largest, next to Christianity. It was founded by Muhammad (too spelled Mohammed), a seventh-century A.D. Arabian merchant of Mecca.

Islam in Arabic means "submission (to God)." An adherent to Islam is called a Muslim (or Moslem), meaning "one who submits." It is incorrect to refer to Muslims equally "Mohammedans," as Muslims experience this term gives the incorrect impression that they worship Muhammad.

Islam's creed (chosen the shahadah) states: "There is no God just Allah, and Muhammad is God's messenger." It is whispered into the ear of a newborn child, continually repeated throughout life, and is traditionally the last utterance of the dying.

Islam's sacred book is the Koran (or Qur'an), comprised of messages said to have been given to Muhammad from God by the angel Jibril (Gabriel). In length it is virtually the size of the Christian New Testament. Information technology consists of 114 chapters (suras).

Islam makes five demands on its adherents, called the "v pillars of Islam." They are recitation of the creed (shahadah); prayer (salat) five times a day in the direction of Mecca, and especially on Friday, the special day of congregational prayer in the mosque; almsgiving (zakat); fasting (sawm) from sunrise to sunset during the calendar month of Ramadan; and pilgrimage (hajj) to Mecca, which should exist undertaken by every Muslim at least once.

Islam is divided into 2 main branches—the Sunnites (90 percentage of all Muslims) and the Shiites (who are specially potent in Iran and Iraq). Like other religions, Islam has become fragmented past theological feuds and disagreements, resulting in a wide variety of sects and offshoots. Islam has equally many denominations, sects and cults as Christianity does.

Fascinated by Jesus

The question came not as a challenge, but as a query of genuine involvement. Having visited numerous Muslim countries, I can say without exaggeration that Muslims are intensely curious about—even fascinated past—Jesus Christ. My Syrian acquaintance was no exception.

He had referred to Jesus as Isa, his name in Arabic. In the Koran, Islam'south holy book, Jesus is often referred to every bit Isa ibn Maryam—Jesus, the son of Mary. Few Christians realize that Muslims revere Jesus as a 18-carat prophet and messenger of God, and many expect his return at the Final Twenty-four hours. Muslims even take his virgin nativity and his miracles.

Jesus is spoken of near 100 times in the Koran under numerous names and titles, including Al-Masih (the Messiah), Kalimatu'llah (the Word of God), Rasulu'llah (the Messenger of God) and Nabiyu'llah (the Prophet of God). These titles audio very Christian when translated. A brief glance at these surface-level similarities might propose that Muslims and Christians are not far separated in conventionalities —until we find that "Son of God" is not among the titles.

Cardinal dogma

Muslims are fiercely monotheistic. The fundamental dogma of Islam is the absolute unity of God (Allah). To Muslims, the biblical teaching of the deity of Jesus Christ is thus polytheistic and blasphemous. It is the major problem confronting Christians who endeavor to reach Muslims with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

"Allah is One and indivisible," Muslims assert. Allah has no "son" nor whatsoever other "partner," as implied past the Christian doctrine of the Trinity. "One plus ane plus one cannot equal one," they contend. The Koran declares: "They surely disbelieve who say: 'Lo! Allah is the Messiah, son of Mary'… [and] 'Lo! Allah is the third of iii'; when there is no God salvage the One God…. The Messiah, son of Mary, was no other than a messenger" (Sura 5:72-75).

For Christians, Christ'due south deity is nonnegotiable. (Come across box "Jesus Is God.") In response to the Muslim charge of polytheism, Christians assert that they, too, believe that God is 1. Here'southward the question at issue: what kind of oneness?

The Christian understands a more than circuitous kind of oneness than a strictly mathematical kind of unity. God the Father and God the Son are one in essence or nature, merely they are not identical persons. Muslims—and many Christians, for that affair—detect this biblical teaching hard to comprehend. That God is Ane, in three Persons, is a mystery that Christians accept on faith, realizing that God is not limited by our human inability to fathom the mysteries of divine existence beyond time and infinite. Simply to Muslims, it is sacrilegious nonsense.

Christianity & Islam: a Comparing

Islamic beliefs and practices differ from Christianity in several meaning means. Hither are but a few of the differences:

God

Islam: God (Allah) is One. He is all-powerful and all-knowing, merciful and compassionate. He has no sons or partners.

Christianity: God is i divine Being in three eternal, co-essential, withal singled-out Persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Jesus Christ

Islam: Jesus had no preexistence from eternity. He was created and not begotten. He was completely and totally human. He was non divine, just simply a prophet of God and a slap-up moral teacher. He was neither crucified nor resurrected. He was the "Messiah" only in the sense that he was anointed to preach salvation to the people of Israel.

Christianity: Jesus is the second Person of the Godhead, who became human being through the Incarnation. He was God manifest in the mankind for our salvation. He was and is the Son of God and God the Son. He was fully God and fully human being. On the cross he took the penalty we deserved, so we could exist reconciled with God. He is worthy of worship, honour and reverence. He lives within Christians today through the Holy Spirit.

The Bible

Islam: The Bible was originally an accurate revelation from Allah, but has become altered and corrupted in the process of transmission from i generation to some other. Its greatest "distortion" is to picture the man Jesus equally God in the flesh. The Bible must be interpreted past the Koran, the infallible Give-and-take of Allah. The Koran was divinely ordained to correct errors of the Christian faith.

Christianity: The Bible is the inspired Discussion of God, the foundation of truth, and the accurate record of God's revelation to humanity. Information technology is the ultimate dominance in all matters of doctrine and Christian living. Its accuracy is attested by hundreds of manuscripts.

Forgiveness

Islam: In that location is no need of a Savior or an atoning death. Forgiveness is attained by correct conventionalities and good works. Ane who hopes to escape the wrath of Allah must diligently strive to adhere to the Koran and the five pillars of Islam. A Muslim performs his religious obligations as a means of obtaining merit. Sura 35:7 says, "Those who believe and do good works, theirs will exist forgiveness and a great reward." When people repent, God forgives. It is simple amnesty, by a give-and-take.

Christianity: Salvation is the gift of God, by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not earned past personal merit or good works. We are forgiven past accepting the blood of Jesus Christ and his apologetic work on the cantankerous.

The Counselor (Paraclete)

Islam: Muhammad is the Counselor or Comforter promised by Jesus in John xvi:seven. According to the Koran, Jesus brought good tidings of "a messenger who cometh after me, whose proper name is the Praised 1 [Ahmad or Muhammad]" (Sura 61:6).

Christianity: The Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Godhead, is the Comforter (or Counselor) promised past Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit lives within Christians and transforms their lives, making them more Christlike.

Life After Death

Islam: Allah volition judge people according to their deeds. A paradise of physical delights and sensuous experiences awaits the righteous who surrender to Allah in this life. Hellfire awaits those whose works are unacceptable.

Christianity: The inheritance of the believer is conservancy and eternal life every bit an immortal kid of God. Unrepentant sinners who deliberately refuse the saving grace of God will be sent to the lake of burn.

The Messiah

Islam: A mahdi ("rightly guided ane"), born of Muhammad's lineage, will ascend in the end time as a messianic deliverer. Aided past Jesus, the mahdi will defeat a false messiah or antichrist named Dajjal and usher in a brief Gold Age, followed past the Day of Judgment.

Christianity: Jesus Christ will return to globe to approximate and reign over all nations in the kingdom of God. This event inaugurates the resurrection of the dead and the reward of the saints.

Fruitless statement

Depending on the individual Christian's theological expertise, he or she tin debate the doctrine of the Trinity with varying degrees of sophistication. But this line of argumentation is generally fruitless when information technology comes to evangelizing Muslims. Muslims believe that Christians worship three gods, and no amount of protest to the contrary—however inventive or clear—can convince them otherwise.

Why? Because the Koran itself declares that Christians worship three gods. And since Muslims regard the Koran as infallible, Christians must indeed worship three gods—the clever arguments of Christians nonetheless! The same goes for any word of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. Muslims flatly reject those events. Why? Considering annihilation contradicting the Koran is automatically false, and the Koran declares, "They slew him not nor crucified…" (Sura 4:157). Muslims regard it as inconceivable that a prophet of God could have suffered such an ignominious death.

For Christians, to deny the crucifixion and resurrection is to deny the very means of atonement for which Christ came into the world. Humans are forgiven by accepting, believing in, the shed blood of Jesus Christ and his atoning work on the cross. Muslims, by dissimilarity, see no need for a Savior. They believe that a right relationship with God can exist achieved by their own striving for righteousness. Right conventionalities and good works bring God'southward forgiveness, they maintain.

Clearly, an immense doctrinal gulf separates the two religions. The differences between Islam and Christianity are primal and profound, and they center around the person of Jesus Christ.

Touched by dearest

Yet, it is on Jesus that our efforts to win Muslims must focus. Jesus Christ lies inevitably at the eye of the Christian-Muslim encounter. He is the bridge between the two faiths. But information technology is non past argumentation that Muslims will be won to Christ. Conversions through sheer reasoning are rare.

The key to this seeming paradox is given past Samuel Zwemer (1867-1952), the great Christian missionary to Islam. Based on a lifetime of labor and reflection, Zwemer concluded, "After xl years' experience, I am convinced that the nearest way to the Muslim eye is the way of God's dearest."

The God of the Bible is dear personified. Only by touching the hearts of Muslims with that love can the seemingly insurmountable barriers to conversion begin to be overcome. Understand this: Muslim converts to Christianity written report that many Muslims have a deep spiritual hunger that has not been satisfied. Many desire to know God more than intimately—to exist bodacious of his honey, forgiveness and credence.

Islam is built heavily on legalistic observances intended to prepare a person for future judgment. Muslims have no definite assurance of conservancy until they reach that concluding day. They tin never rest in the certainty of eternal salvation. To many, it is a painfully unsatisfying, unfulfilling and precarious land of existence. It is therefore non surprising that when Muslims learn of Jesus' life of dearest and forgiveness, and come to know him equally a living, personal Savior, he is irresistible.

The Christian enjoys a certainty of salvation that a Muslim tin can never accept. "There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1). Faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ is our balls of salvation. Christians serve God willingly, without coercion or fear. To Muslims, these are revolutionary concepts—and eminently reassuring ones!

By reflecting God's beloved in our personal lives and urging Muslim friends to listen to their longing afterwards God, we can accomplish something that a truckload of theological arguments could never achieve. With God's love as the core of our witness, we tin begin to communicate the gospel to Muslims in a relevant and productive fashion.

But showtime…

A caution

The purpose of this article is to suggest approaches to personal evangelism amongst Muslim friends, neighbors and co-workers in the Western world—non to provide a framework for overseas missionary activity. Evangelism inside the Islamic earth is a task too complex—and potentially dangerous—to imply that one article would be adequate educational activity. In many Muslim countries, the penalty for apostasy from Islam is severe. In extreme cases, the death sentence may even be imposed on a Muslim who renounces his Islamic faith. This should be constantly borne in mind.

In the Islamic world, separation of church and land is unknown. Islam is tied closely to the national, cultural and family life of its adherents. Conversion to Christianity may thus exist taken as a rejection of family, civilisation and country—with potentially dire consequences.

For those interested in a missionary career, training with missionaries who have experience in restricted-access countries and who are sensitive to cultural dynamics is vital. Books such asPlanting Churches in Muslim Citiespast Greg Livingstone,New Paths in Muslim Evangelismby Phil Parshall andMuslims and Christians on the Emmaus Road,edited by J. Dudley Woodberry, are strongly recommended. [Other skilful books have been published since this article was written.]

Your personal witness

Effectively communicating your Christian faith to Muslims requires knowledge, wisdom and a living commitment to Jesus Christ. Here are a few guidelines:

Exist informed.The ignorance we Westerners have concerning the Islamic faith is appalling. Information technology is a near-fatal obstacle to effective Christian witness. Libraries and bookstores tin can provide helpful introductory volumes. Reading a translation of the Koran in modern English language will also be informative.
Avoid arguments. A Muslim is not an enemy to exist conquered, but a friend with whom to share the love of Jesus Christ. Arrogant attempts to refute Muslim doctrine are inflammatory and counterproductive. Move beyond the combative rhetoric that has long characterized Christian-Muslim encounters. Enquire and respond to questions in a nonthreatening way. Avoid being judgmental. Besides realize that you may encounter some Muslims who simply accept no interest in genuine dialogue with anyone who has a not-Islamic viewpoint. If they experience there is nothing they can learn from Christians, it is pointless to press them. Wish them well in their spiritual journeying and motility on.
Be prepare to respond.Islam is a missionary faith. Exercise not be surprised if y'all noticeyourselfbeing evangelized rather than evangelizing. A business firm grasp of the essentials of Christianity is therefore crucial (1 Peter 3:15). Be especially prepared to discuss the question of Jesus' divinity and the Trinity. Explicate that Christians exercise not believe that Jesus is a dissever being from the Father. Admit that the nature of God is beyond the grasp of limited, man understanding. Only remember—prolonged debate over this point is usually a fruitless practice.
Be respectful.Respect Muslims as sincere seekers subsequently God. Many Muslims take their religion more than seriously than some Christians practice theirs. Do not assail Islam. Criticism of Muhammad and the Koran is insensitive and counterproductive. Recall that Islam has been instrumental in advancing the progress of culture. Care for it with the respect it deserves.
Be an example.To Muslims, religion is much more than mere acceptance of doctrine; information technology involves a pattern of behavior—a fashion of life. This is why Muslims puzzle over how to reconcile Christianity with the loose lifestyles and materialistic values of Western society. Explain that Christianity is non responsible for the immorality of the West. Aid them to distinguish between "Western" and "Christian." Only more than that, remember that the message cannot be divorced from the messenger. Effective witness comes from a Christian who lives a life centered in Christ. By demonstrating the reality of Christ's presence and power in your ain life, y'all can show others what Christianity is actually all most.
Exist a friend.In almost cases, sharing ane's religion finer with a Muslim is best accomplished inside the context of personal friendships. Be a practiced friend, a skillful co-worker, a good neighbour. Let God'southward beloved flow through y'all, and offer help when needs arise.
Jesus Is God
- Matthew 1:23—"'They volition call him Immanuel'—which means, 'God with united states.'"
- John one:1—"In the commencement was the Word, and the Discussion was with God, and the Word was God."
- John 1:fourteen—"The Give-and-take became flesh and fabricated his dwelling amidst u.s.."
- John eight:58—"'I tell you lot the truth,' Jesus answered, 'earlier Abraham was built-in, I am!'"
- John ten:30—"I and the Father are ane."
- John 20:28—"Thomas said to him, 'My Lord and my God!'"
- Colossians 2:9—"For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in actual form."
- Hebrews one:3—"The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the verbal representation of his existence."
Proclaim Jesus Christ.Exist open almost what Jesus Christ has washed in your life. Explain your reasons for belief in him equally your personal Savior. Talk openly, honestly and personally nigh the love God has shown for you. Share insights, answered prayers and your ain experiences of God'due south mercy and forgiveness. Encourage Muslims to read and reflect on the gospel accounts of Jesus' life.
Invite to church.Prayer, songs of praise, Bible-based preaching and Christian fellowship may assist your Muslim friend discover the joy of God's love and the riches of his grace in Jesus Christ. Should he or she motility toward a genuine commitment to Christ, the support of concerned Christians will be especially needed in coping with inevitable family and social pressures.
Pray.Recollect that it is God who draws people to Jesus (John 6:44). Pray faithfully that the Holy Spirit will affect your Muslim friends and move them to worship and serve Jesus as Lord and Savior. And pray for the Holy Spirit to speak through you to their personal spiritual needs.

Author: Keith Stump

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Source: https://www.gci.org/articles/sharing-your-faith-with-a-muslim/