Page 154 - Advanced Bible Geography ebook

generally dangerous people. Such erroneous views can erect unnecessary barriers
to communication.

• Do's
o Pray and seek the wisdom and peace that can only come from the Holy Spirit.
o Honor and respect Muslims as people with religious beliefs and feelings and culture.
 Be humble.
o Cultivate relationships with Muslims by discussing common and similar areas of interest
such as belief in one God, the virgin birth, and the names and titles given to Jesus in the
Qur'an.
o Learn Muslim social customs, especially the roles of men and women, greetings and diet, so
that embarrassments may be minimal in interactions. Don't use Jewish greetings with Muslims
(like "shalom").
o Include Muslims in activities where they may feel comfortable and may interact with
Christians in social and some religious occasions.
o Speak the truth in love.
 Use parables of Jesus and stories of the healing of the sick and miracles.
 Include one's own personal witness of what it means to be a follower of Jesus.
o Quote from the Bible.
 Remember that "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God."1
 Be sure to show a high level of respect for your Bible. Make sure to not have a
Bible that contains handwriting or written notes. This may indicate to Muslims that
you don't respect God's Word.
o Be prepared to have much patience and perseverance in discussing the truths of the Bible
with Muslims.
o Define your terms.
 Muslims often refer to God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, prayer, angels, and other terms
common to the Bible, but they at- tach entirely different meanings to these words.
 Unless you define your terms biblically so that the other person can understand,
very little communication will take place.
o Qualify what it means to be a Christian.
 As stated before, Muslims tend to equate Christianity with an immoral Western
culture and lifestyle.
 When asked, "Are you a Christian?", it's important to qualify one's answer or the
Muslim may consider you a person of low morals.
 Point out that the West has succumbed to so many vices not because the West is
"Christian" but because the West has largely ignored Christianity.
• Christians can also point out that such vices illustrate one of the primary
teachings of Christianity—that is, that humankind is engulfed in a serious
sin problem.
o Emphasize the love of God.
 Point out that God is not just characterized by love; He's the very personification of
love.
 Make it clear that God's love is not conditional. He is not angry with them but is full
of love for them.
 Be aware that Allah is distant and transcendent, who can arbitrarily show love and
mercy to some and cruelty to others.

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