Page 113 - Neglected Arabia Vol 1 (3)_Neat

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Some Problems in Evangelism
Rev. H. A. Bilkekt
T Today there are but seven baptized converts in good standing in
HE Arabian Mission has had over thirty-five years of history.
the hve stations and probably in the whole period of thirty-live
years there has not been a total of thirty-five baptisms. Such i
condition is naturally thought provoking. In searching for possible
explanations for this apparent lack of success one immediately rejecu
the idea that the Gospel is inadequate for the needs of the Moslem heart.
Proven to be “the power of God unto salvation” in every land and to
every heart it has also its message for these sons of Ishmael.
There is next the personal factor, and none know better than du
how weak and impulviil are ihe vessels that bear the message of ream,
ciliation. There are glaring faults and inconsistencies, the light shiuci
oh so feebly in our lives. And yet, as one calls the roll of those who
have sown the seed and passed on and sees still the consecrated faith,
fulness among those who follow in their train, he realizes that what
self examination has been most searching he has not yet found the whole
answer to his question. Furthermore, has it not been the glory of tlK
Gospel in all times that He has chosen the weak things of this world
wherewith to show forth His glory r
Passing on then from the messenger to the man to whom lie take*
the message, what manner of man is the Arab and in^ what environment,
not only physical but mental, does he live? In the first place the Arab
has a pride which one cannot but admire. Never grovelling ur cringle
he holds his head high, the equal, if not presuming superiority, i0
men. He comes from a race of conquerors. Thirteen hundreds yean
ago his forefathers swept down upon civilization and made themsclvo
its masters. The Arab of today remembers that with pride ami, when
untouched by the events of the past decade, confidently assumes that be
could do the same today if he wished to undertake the task. bV
fortunatelv his pride is founded on a large measure of ignorance. Ida*,
in its philosophy and theology, became static in the second century <j
its historv. rhe century of its zenith. Hence the average Moslem is ml
living in ‘the mental atmosphere of the eighth century. Since then then
has been no added knowledge, no further revelation. All that needs u
be known for time and eternity was known at that time and hxed in a
form. All that he needs to do is to learn what was written down th*
and he is learned indeed.
For example. I was talking not long since with a small shop-keeper *
I he bazaar. He could read and write and would have been set down *
a man of intelligence. In llie course of the conversation lie miulc n.
remark, "If there he knowledge in this world, it is in Najaf."
what manner of place is this city of Najaf? It is one of the shm*
cities of Iraq. Here is the tomb of Imam Ali, the object of venenu*
and pilgrimage for the entire Shi'a world. The tomb is surrounded u
a huge structure which is at once the schoolroom and dormitory u{ ^
scores who come there to study. They gather in little groups
feet of acknowledged teachers and drink in the wisdom of 700 A b
As they leave Najaf they assume the white turUin as a mark of
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