Lausanne World Pulse – Respecting Muslims While Sharing Christ

June 2006

By Keith Swartley

I had just been treated to a wonderful dinner by a group of eight Muslim high school teachers and our conversations had been warm and engaging. However, when we returned to their apartment, things turned ugly. They had prepared objections to the gospel and studied the Injil (New Testament) to formulate questions designed to prove that Islam was superior to Christianity. It was a difficult evening. Fortunately, I did not lose my temper; I was gracious and patient with them as I attempted to answer their questions. I sympathized with their growing frustration until I left. Gone was the memory of the initial enjoyment of the evening. I felt battered as I took a bus back to my hotel. The evening had taken me through the tempest of warfare.

“Church-ianity” vs. Jesus Christ
Being a disciple of Christ is not meant to be like going to summer camp. The call of Christ is the boot camp preparation for war, not against Muslims, but against Satan. The role of the Church is in some ways like an elite hostage rescue team: we rescue some people from materialism and narcissism and others, including many Muslims, from the evil of suffering under poverty, disease, oppression, illiteracy and not knowing Jesus Christ.

Since the terrorist bombings on the World Trade Center in New York on 11 September 2001 and the tsunami in Southeast Asia in 2005 Muslims have intrigued us more than ever. With all the upheaval, we may have felt uncertain about the Islamic faith at times. However, Jesus is not apprehensive about today’s turmoil. His gracious love and willingness to quietly suffer indignation has not changed. He continues wooing Muslims to follow him.

Likewise, we must not fear or blame Muslims; they are victims of Satan’s global war of oppression. As such, Muslims and Christians are equals. Compared to Christ, neither meets God’s standard of perfection. We should not engage in raising walls which only lead to stereotypes based on ideology, politics and nationalism. Rather, with empathy we should tear down barriers by building lasting relationships, just as Jesus Christ unilaterally initiated relationship with us.

Speaking Out in Love
Yet, as an evangelical I have something I desire to share—the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. Sharing hope does not constitute proselytism or coercion. Forms of witness which are argumentative or disrespectful should be discouraged. However, I am obligated to share my faith in Christ. I choose to exercise my fundamental human right to share my faith in Christ even where not invited by speaking with love and not on condition of response. 1 Peter 3:15 says, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” This must be our guide.

Sadly, too many Christians have preached fear in response to terrorism or have been uncritical of Western political and economic agendas. Others have disparaged Muhammad or Islam without recognizing the deep debt that all societies owe Islamic civilization. Muhammad was a great political leader and religious reformer who unified a pagan feudal society under monotheism and the rule of law. Deficiencies in his character are no different than many Christian leaders.

Likewise, Muslims have made huge contributions to our society today. Arabic words such as algebra, azimuth, zenith and zero permeate the English language. Personally, I am grateful that I do not balance my finances in roman numerals. Until the Renaissance, the gathering and advancement of knowledge was centered in Islamic Spain and the universities of the Middle East. Modern scientific methods, advancements in medicine, mathematics, architecture and law are all rooted in contributions made by Muslim scholars.

Keith Swartley is course editor and developer for Caleb Project’s Encountering the World of Islam. Since 1983 he has been motivating Christians around the world to reverently and gently share the love of Christ with Muslims.