Good post. I remember living in a small town that had experienced an increase of Muslims from the African country of Somalia. They were migrating there to work on turkey farms.

So I went into one of their restaurants. I don’t remember what I ate but I remember the brief conversation I had with the man who managed the joint. He told me I was the first local person (= White American) to come into his place for lunch.

That is very saddening since the majority of the local people considered themselves to be Evangelical Christians who believe that Muslims need to come to faith in Jesus Christ…yet the Christian community won’t enter into the Muslim community. And here is why: The Christian community had a predisposed fear and contempt towards Muslims that was driven by Cable-Television News programing. In other words, what they understood Muslims to be was taught to them by a News Anchor.

Here’s the point. We Christians need to stop listening to and taking our cues from the media and instead start listening to Jesus. Then instead of being predisposed to fear and hatred, in faith we would go out and seek our neighbors (Muslim or other) and enter into meaningful conversation with them. If nothing else, we would learn about each other that would help bring about a hospitable coexistence.

Grace and Peace,

Rex

P.S. Sorry for the long comment. I didn’t know how else to make the point.

Winner-winner. Fear is the thing we have to name, describe, and challenge.

You’ve done that. Great thoughts.

Fear and hunger (we know there’s more to faith than what we are settling for) are rarely connected by the pastor for the church.

I think one of the main things that makes Muslim-Christian relations intimidating to American Christians is that in our dialogue, we rarely (if ever) discuss how to converse with someone whose faith strikes as deeply as our own. Discussions about our individual faiths can be daunting within our own faith system, and just the thought of an exchange (religious or non-religious) with someone who doesn’t hold the same tenants of life as you makes it seem like a bigger task than it is. I think some put far too much emphasis on having commonalities to establish a conversation, and in the end some think that if we don’t have our faith in common then what is the point of conversation? It is assumed that we would at the core disagree, which is unfortunate.

Becca–great point. Has this ever happened to you?

Also…I think many Christians fear an intellectual challenge from a Muslim. In other words, they are afraid the Muslim will ask questions they can’t answer.

RJohns. Did you have 2 comments?

Josh,

Not sure what you mean…two comments?

I simply meant did you leave 2. Your comment started with “also”

Oh. Not two comments. Just poor writing skills.

Mr. Graves…..from Don Lohr

Our little church is struggling for survival right now, and we’re having trouble getting folks to ask their next door neighbor to come to church, let alone evangelize to any outside group.

Regarding this paragraph, if we were sitting having some lunch together, and you said this to me, I’d be asking you for an elaboration, as it seems to be contradictory.

“……As a pastor, I hope all people (including Christians and Muslims) come to know the power of Jesus’ teachings, life, death, and resurrection. I don’t want to see Muslims convert to the Christian religion but I think they (as would every person) would be better off if they truly experienced the power of Jesus’ way of bringing heaven to earth.”

Care to elaborate?

Josh-
Actually, it was the experience of someone pushing the boundaries, within a church class, no less, between Atheism and Christianity, that brought me out of my own brief (and pretty dark) agnostic period. The preacher called the class “Conversation with an Atheist”; an atheist and an agnostic were invited to help lead the class while we explored issues that divide the two groups. It was amazing and respectful and beneficial for all. Family and friends tried to warn me of the dangers of engaging in conversations about faith with an atheist, little do they know that atheist actually helped bring me to a deeper faith than I’ve ever had before.

It actually spurred a weekly meeting that we call “The Conversation”, in which we have inter-faith dialogues about life, morality, and justice.

It seems to me, there is nothing that strikes as deeply as someone’s faith, without having the conversation about what we cling to the most how can we work to build a better place?

Also, this is well titled and I’m glad you emailed your respected friend, because that is a great point to bring to the forefront.

rjohns-

While I do agree that fear of being caught without the answer is a factor (this mindset of having the ‘answer’ is a core problem with Christianity today), I think that cuts a lot of Christians short.

It appears to me that it’s almost more like asking a child to name colors in a foreign language when all they’ve ever heard is their native one. Some Christians just haven’t been given the tools for a positive interfaith conversation. It might be arrogance or fear, but I think it’s usually inexperience.

Given the tools and opportunity I think positive interactions could be more frequent.

Becca,

Perhaps you could call it inexperience.

I’ve also noticed that many Christians either cannot, don’t want to, or don’t know how to talk, even to other Christians, about their faith.

In talking to Muslims, I’ve never, ever seen a Muslim who refused to be my friend due to our differing beliefs. This is interesting, given that the Qur’an commands them not to befriend Christians and Jews.

I think that when you make a real effort to interact with someone on a personal level, it often cuts through certain cultural and religious barriers rather quickly.

Another thing I’ve noticed of Muslims is that they *greatly* appreciate it when someone has taken the time to learn about their religious beliefs.

What sort of preparation do you think is appropriate for a Christian to make for interacting with Muslims?

Another question: Is it appropriate for Christians to engage in group dialog with Muslims, versus one-on-one interaction?

I ask this because I have experienced both one-on-one and group interaction with Muslims. I’ve noticed a rather different (and counter-productive) set of behaviors from Muslims in a group setting as opposed to conversing alone with an individual Muslim.

Becca, thanks for sharing that story. That must have been quite an experience. I think I know who was behind that (Micah) : ) Much love.

Also, when I wrote that I don’t hope for a Muslim to convert to the Christian religion I meant to the system. I’d love for a Muslim to become a follower of Jesus but that’s often different than converting to a system that often entails things associated with Western culture (using buzz words, Christian sub-culture) than the teachings of Jesus. My language was a bit sloppy.

Also, I don’t think it’s intellectually honest to ask a Muslim (or a person of any other faith) to become Christian if you are not first genuinely interested in considering becoming Muslim. How can you expect someone to consider your “story” if you don’t also consider theirs?

rjohns–comparative religion is always tricky–question for you (as I’m still thinking of answers to some of your other questions). What’s the equivalent of Jesus, Paul, scripture, and spiritual disciplines in Islam–in your opinion?

Don– I think “religion” is different than the movement of Jesus in the world. Religion is often what’s left when God has left the building. Of course, God may never totally leave any building. But, the metaphor works.

My goal is to speak of people in these 4 categories as if they were present when I teach or converse about them. It sounds simple, but it’s not.

Confession: It’s easier for me to accomplish that goal with 1,2&4 (as you mentioned them above) and very difficult with #3. Your post makes me think about why that divide is so deep and conversation is so difficult when it comes to politics.

sgb

Can someone (a Muslim, a Hindu, and atheist) become a follower of Jesus and NOT be a Christian, i.e. baptized, go to church on Sunday, etc., but instead remain a member of their own faith or are those completely antithetical to each other?

Josh, I understand trying to understand another’s faith before attempting a dialogue about being a Christian, but I don’t understand considering becoming a Muslim ….why would I consider something I don’t believe?

Sara– your confession is the confession of many.

Phil–yes. It’s happening all over Africa for instance. Followers of Isa are staying in the masjid to influence others.

Sara: I also think #3 is so hard because it is where many are invested emotionally, daily habits, etc. INSTEAD of the Sermon on the Mount, etc.

Josh,

Just to clarify…I’m not asking what we should do to prepare to debate or refute Muslims. I’m asking what we should do to prepare to understand where they might be coming from spiritually and culturally.

I wouldn’t say that Jesus, Paul, etc., have equivalents in Islam. It is a fun question though, so I’ll try to make rough comparisons.

Jesus of Christianity – No equivalent in Islam. There is a “Jesus” there, but the differences outweigh the similarities. For example:

In Islam, Jesus: (a) is just a man, (b) is not God’s son, (c) brought the NT himself (not his disciples), (d) was not the final, long-awaited prophet, (e) is called “Messiah,” but it is more like a nickname with no theological significance, (f) is called “the Word” but only in the sense that every other prophet was as well.

Although…in Islam, Jesus was sinless, born of a virgin, and performed miracles. However, they don’t attach any particular religious significance to this, as far as I know. In other words, there’s really no depth there in terms of connecting back to any previous prophecies.

In a sense, we can compare the a’Hadith to the NT epistles. Not in the sense that Muslims necessarily consider the hadith to be scripture–that is where the comparison breaks down. But yes in the sense that the hadith expound on the Qur’an like the NT epistles expound on the OT, Gospels, and Acts. So…it follows that you could roughly compare the hadith writers collectively to Paul.

Prayer, fasting, filling our minds with and ruminating on scripture (i.e. meditation), worship, baptism, communion, fellowship–these things can be compared to the Shahadah, alms-giving, hajj, and the other pillars of Islam.

Also, their prophet Muhammad is similar to how Jews view Moses, from what I can tell. Moses was the human agent through whom God delivered his revelation. They view Muhammad in a similar way.

In luke jesus was a guest at a table many times, but a host only once. We must be vulnerable to be a guest, and plunge ourselves into unknown situations. We can transcend many barriers with our muslim neighbors if we are the first to be vulnerable.

Marlene: Good question. What I’m saying is that if you have a Muslim friend you’d like to consider Christianity (the teachings of Jesus) it is only fair (in a real relationship) that you also consider their beliefs to. Mutual exploration. Does that make sense?

If I love the Detroit Tigers but Reid Collins (to use an example) loves the Cardinals. I have to be willing to consider the history of the Cardinals, their stories, values, etc. if I’m going to try and convert Reid to be a Tigers fan.

That’s a bad analogy but I think it makes the point.

rjohns: I will only comment further once we can have lunch together. : )

@Josh

I think that depends what we mean by consider Islam. When I am inviting someone to be a Christian, I am not inviting that person to affirm a set of doctrines or beliefs. I am inviting him or her to participate in a narrative different (or at least more expanded) than the narrative they are currently in. Does inviting someone to join the story that IS giving me life mean trying out someone else’s story? No, I don’t think so. Does it mean appreciating their story? Absolutely.

Marlene: another way to think about it: How do you know you don’t believe something if you haven’t considered it?

Thanks Josh for taking up this most important topic. Islam is growing fastest in the West. It is appealing more and more to Westerners tired of an impotent, enculturated version of Christianity. Extremist Muslims are finding particular success in the American population. It is time to give this significant religion some serious thought.

Just over six months ago I became tired of listening to what others say about Islam, especially what political lightning rods and fear-mongers were saying and posting in the blogosphere. So I set out to make my own determinations. I have been blogging almost daily now since the New Year through the Qur’an. It has truly been an incredible, eye-opening experience. This is far too reductionistic but what I am finding is that Quranic Islam is neither what the talk show hosts nor what the anti-Western, politicized Muslim clerics and extremists have said it is. With the exception of Jesus, the nature of God, and the idea of salvation (and those are pretty big ones, maybe deal breakers) I find a whole lot of common ground.

I would for any interested to check out my blog at christianreadsquran.wordpress.com

Sorry, typing on an iPod. First paragraph Second to last sentence is supposed to say “American prison population”

Greg–right on, brother. right on.
Jason–thanks for your passion and conviction. You’ve given us more to think about. Peace upon you in your journeys.

JG

Josh, Thanks for this good word!!

In the past month or so I have had several Muslims join the conversation on my blog. They have brought a perspective that has been missing. I have noticed something within myself that resonates with what you have said about being ready to listen to Muslims if we want them to listen to us (notice I’ve changed the word “convert” to “listen” as I think that is more accurate). Early on in my reading of the Qur’an I just wanted to read and listen to what I hear. I wanted to blog my discovers. I wanted to make comparisons between my faith and theirs based on what I was thinking. Then my Muslim friends came along and nuanced and even corrected some of my perceptions. Man, it got a whole lot more difficult when that happened. I think the reason for my frustration had to do with what you are saying here: I wanted to speak my faith and was a bit too hesitant to listen. But until I listen, why would they? I understand what you are saying.

Is anyone familiar with the Fethullah-Gulen Movement?
I note many CoC Universities dialog with them. Some even sponsor their Conferences.

Jason, I think it’s interesting that you feel you need to listen?

Sorry, I believe Abilene Christian and I know Pepperdine held a conference sponsored by the Fethullah-Gulen Movement . This Movement holds many inter-faith dialectic forums
They are also under investigation by the FBI (mainly for their involvement in charter schools ) Easy enough for anyone interested to use the search engine. It is a total front group but they just appear to be a nicer group of terrorists. I know the chair of biblical studies at OCU went to Turkey with this group . I guess one can get free trips and they throw some big money around.

Hello Jason,

I have a question or two for you:

How did you begin your Christian journey?

How would you contrast your relationship with God to your Muslim friends’ relationship with Allah?

An idea that has been presented to me is that the major difference between Christianity and other religions such as Islam is that Christianity is the only religion that man doesn’t save man God saves man. This idea makes a lot of sense to me seeing how often I fall short of my own standards how could I ever match up to the standards of a righteous God? ideas and suggestions on this approach are gladly welcomed.