If Muslims really believe Islam is the truth and they care at all about me they will tell me why I should be a Muslim. That is why I felt loved when I read this post from Suhaib Wahib.
Asalamu alaykum,
Not sure. But I know one thing, my neighbors are not. Perhaps I need to rethink my priorities?
Likewise, if I really believe Jesus Christ is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6) then out of love for my Muslim neighbors I will tell them.
Why are we so afraid of people of other faiths seeking to convince us of its truth? Why are we so afraid to try and convince other people of the truth of Jesus Christ as he is revealed in the Bible?
I think the biggest (and most convicting) reason is that we’re not fully convinced ourselves.
This is what was experienced this past week in Dearborn, trying to question the Muslims about Islam at an Arab festival…
America is in trouble. If you watch what’s happening in Europe, you’ll see what will happen here next. It is very troubling.
James,
Well I agree you were treated very poorly at this festival and that your rights were indeed violated. Sadly it seems from the video your purpose was (or at least became) more about video taping than about actually talking with these Muslims about whatever it was they believed.
You used the word entrapment about what these security guards were doing to your team, yet it seemed as if you were looking for a way to entrap the men at the booth, by catching them saying something that would make Islam terrible. I don’t think videos like this further the message of Christ who died for his enemies but instead incite people to put up walls on both sides. I’m not trying to imply that was your purpose, but I think that’s what it has become. Lastly I don’t think that you would receive a much better reception if you went to a Christian gathering dressed as a Muslim with a bunch of video cameras to do impromptu interviews. I think you may be treated equally as bad, so to imply this is a unique Muslim reaction seems unfair.
That’s my two cents from watching the video. I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Will…America is in trouble well beyond the fact that there are Muslims in Dearborn. We are a society that is in love with self and our self obsession is ruining us!
Blessings,
Seth
they don’t look very friendly. (in the video
True Christa. But what about when you think of all the Muslims you’ve met?
Hey Seth, your response is respected, and Shukran! Your input is admirable and you bring up some valid points. First clarification is, I didn’t make the video, nor was I at that particular occurrence.
In response to your question of why are we so afraid to share our faith with members of other faiths, the video answers aptly. At least, in this particular occurrence. It very well may have become more about making the video, but the videos purpose served initially to document the treatment that was occurring throughout the festival the entire time. From the moment the outreach began there was persecution of Christians sharing their faith. Security guards were shutting down dialogs and entrapping individuals who were not filming anything at all, or even with the group that was there and restricted from “leafletting” but a Federal Judge.
In Dearborn, the Muslim population is largely Shiite, and largely antagonistic toward Christians. You also have to contend with the cultural influence on the political structure. The videos references to Sharia and the implications of that inference are very real, and further answers your question of why do we fear sharing our faith with other faiths. Of course, as a follower of Christ Jesus, Matthew 18:19-20 make it clear that I should GO, and the examples of the 1st century church and 2000 years of Martyrs for Christ pave a true path and way to follow, but Islam, if practiced according to the Qur’an reacts in this manner.
As far as the video addressing a question on film that would make Islam look terrible, that was not the intent either. The purpose was simple, we want to know what the answer to the question is, especially if you are going to propagate Islam in that manner, why won’t you answer the question? And of course, their is an answer that refutes the claims Islam makes in the Qur’an, and the true Muslim knows that. And as you’ve said
“Lastly I don’t think that you would receive a much better reception if you went to a Christian gathering dressed as a Muslim with a bunch of video cameras to do impromptu interviews. I think you may be treated equally as bad, so to imply this is a unique Muslim reaction seems unfair.”
I believe this statement to be fallacial in argument and a straw man. It first indicates what I heartily believe would be a false representation of Christianity, and therefore false, and secondly believe that a True Christian will welcome Muslim dialog and questions. Problem is, the American church is so inept, unable, passive, and uneducated about their own faith through pulpit fed ministry that they couldn’t begin to fathom a response to the claims of Islam. If I were to experience Muslims asking me to answer their refutations, I would love them as I love myself, then seek to answer their questions, and disregard the fact they were filming. Quite simply, I would praise yeshua as messiah for the blessing to have such a privilege.
Alakum Salaam
Dustin,
I am so glad you have this blog! Please continue!
I have become friends with several Muslim women over the years online. And it is as you say, out of love for them, I eventually do share the Good News that Jesus is the Messiah. I am unafraid to tell them this, but it is always in the context that I care so much for them.
I think it is harder in a large setting, such as an Arabic festival, to stand up and evangelize. It’s their setting, for one thing. Would we appreciate Muslims coming into one of our festivals to evangelize us to Islam? No….we would be immediately suspicious and our security would be alerted for any trouble.
I think that today, given the socio-political climate, if a Christian tries to stand up and loudly, even angrily, demand that Jesus is Lord, he will not receive a warm welcome. I think that instead, the sharing of the good news has to be done respectfully, out of friendship that has proven itself trustworthy over time.
Holly,
Thanks for the encouragement. I’m so glad to hear that you are building relationships with Muslim in love. May we all grow in our obedience to love our neighbor as ourselves.