See Section on Islam “.... Jesus is spoken of nearly 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 sound very Christian when translated. A brief glance at these surface-level similarities might suggest that Muslims and Christians are not far separated in belief —until we notice that "Son of God" is not among the titles. Central dogma Muslims are fiercely monotheistic. The central 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 any other "partner," as implied by the Christian doctrine of the Trinity. "One plus one plus one cannot equal one," they argue. The Koran declares: "They surely disbelieve who say: ‘Lo! Allah is the Messiah, son of Mary’… [and] ‘Lo! Allah is the third of three’; when there is no God save the One God…. The Messiah, son of Mary, was no other than a messenger" (Sura 5:72-75). For Christians, Christ’s deity is nonnegotiable. (See Section "Was Jesus God." on THIS Page) In response to the Muslim charge of polytheism, Christians assert that they, too, believe that God is one. Here's the question at issue: what kind of oneness? The Christian understands a more complex kind of oneness than a strictly mathematical kind of unity. God the Father and God the Son are one in essence or nature, but they are not identical persons. Muslims—and many Christians, for that matter—find this biblical teaching difficult to comprehend. That God is One, 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 space. But to Muslims, it is sacrilegious nonsense. Fruitless argument
Depending on the individual Christian’s theological expertise, he or she can debate the doctrine of the Trinity with varying degrees of sophistication. But this line of argumentation is generally fruitless when it comes to evangelizing Muslims. Muslims believe that Christians worship three gods, and no amount of protestation to the contrary—however inventive or articulate—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 notwithstanding! The same goes for any discussion of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. Muslims flatly reject those events. Why? Because anything 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 contrast, see no need for a Savior. They believe that a right relationship with God can be achieved by their own striving for righteousness. Right belief and good works bring God’s forgiveness, they maintain. Clearly, an immense doctrinal gulf separates the two religions. The differences between Islam and Christianity are fundamental and profound, and they center around the person of Jesus Christ.
Touched by love
Nevertheless, it is on Jesus that our efforts to win Muslims must focus. Jesus Christ lies inevitably at the heart of the Christian-Muslim encounter. He is the bridge between the two faiths. But it is not by argumentation that Muslims will be won to Christ. Conversions through sheer reasoning are rare. The key to this seeming paradox is given by Samuel Zwemer (1867-1952), the great Christian missionary to Islam. Based on a lifetime of labor and reflection, Zwemer concluded, "After forty years’ experience, I am convinced that the nearest way to the Muslim heart is the way of God’s love." The God of the Bible is love 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 report that many Muslims have a deep spiritual hunger that has not been satisfied. Many desire to know God more intimately—to be assured of his love, forgiveness and acceptance. Islam is built heavily on legalistic observances intended to prepare a person for future judgment. Muslims have no definite assurance of salvation until they reach that final day. They can never rest in the certainty of eternal salvation. To many, it is a painfully unsatisfying, unfulfilling and precarious state of existence. It is therefore not surprising that when Muslims learn of Jesus’ life of love and forgiveness, and come to know him as a living, personal Savior, he is irresistible. The Christian enjoys a certainty of salvation that a Muslim can never have. "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 assurance of salvation. Christians serve God willingly, without compulsion or fear. To Muslims, these are revolutionary concepts—and eminently reassuring ones! By reflecting God’s love in our personal lives and urging Muslim friends to listen to their longing after 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 can begin to communicate the gospel to Muslims in a relevant and productive fashion. A caution The purpose of this article is to suggest approaches to personal evangelism among Muslim friends, neighbors and co-workers in the Western world—not to provide a framework for overseas missionary activity. Evangelism inside the Islamic world is a task too complex—and potentially dangerous—to imply that one article would be adequate instruction. In many Muslim countries, the penalty for apostasy from Islam is severe. In extreme cases, the death penalty 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 state is unknown. Islam is tied closely to the national, cultural and family life of its adherents. Conversion to Christianity may thus be taken as a rejection of family, culture 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 as Planting Churches in Muslim Cities by Greg Livingstone, New Paths in Muslim Evangelism by Phil Parshall and Muslims and Christians on the Emmaus Road, edited by J. Dudley Woodberry, are strongly recommended. [Other good 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: Be informed. The ignorance we Westerners have concerning the Islamic faith is appalling. It is a near-fatal obstacle to effective Christian witness. Libraries and bookstores can provide helpful introductory volumes. Reading a translation of the Koran in modern English will also be informative. Avoid arguments. A Muslim is not an enemy to be 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. Ask and respond to questions in a non-threatening way. Avoid being judgmental. Also realize that you may encounter some Muslims who simply have no interest in genuine dialogue with anyone who has a non-Islamic viewpoint. If they feel there is nothing they can learn from Christians, it is pointless to press them. Wish them well in their spiritual journey and move on. Be ready to answer. Islam is a missionary faith. Do not be surprised if you find yourself being evangelized rather than evangelizing. A 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. Explain that Christians do not believe that Jesus is a separate being from the Father. Acknowledge that the nature of God is beyond the grasp of limited, human understanding. But remember—prolonged debate over this point is usually a fruitless exercise. Be respectful. Respect Muslims as sincere seekers after God. Many Muslims take their religion more seriously than some Christians do theirs. Do not attack Islam. Criticism of Muhammad and the Koran is insensitive and counterproductive. Remember that Islam has been instrumental in advancing the progress of civilization. Treat it with the respect it deserves. Be an example. To Muslims, religion is much more than mere acceptance of doctrine; it involves a pattern of behavior—a way 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 not responsible for the immorality of the West. Help them to distinguish between "Western" and "Christian." But 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 own life, you can show others what Christianity is really all about. Be a friend. In most cases, sharing one’s faith effectively with a Muslim is best accomplished within the context of personal friendships. Be a good friend, a good co-worker, a good neighbor. Let God’s love flow through you, and offer help when needs arise. Proclaim Jesus Christ. Be open about what Jesus Christ has done in your life. Explain your reasons for belief in him as your personal Savior. Talk openly, honestly and personally about the love God has shown for you. Share insights, answered prayers and your own experiences of God’s 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 help your Muslim friend discover the joy of God’s love and the riches of his grace in Jesus Christ. Should he or she move toward a genuine commitment to Christ, the support of concerned Christians will be especially needed in coping with inevitable family and social pressures. Pray. Remember that it is God who draws people to Jesus (John 6:44). Pray faithfully that the Holy Spirit will touch 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.
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