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Monday, October 11, 2010
The Gospel for Muslims
Here is an excellent gospel presentation by David Wood, for Muslims, answering the question that Muslims often ask, "How can God die?"
David uses the Bible, and verses from the Qur'an to make his point and to present the truths of the incarnation and the atonement to Muslims. David shows from the Qur'an that Allah is able to do things like to actually be in the fire ("Blessed is He who is in the fire") and speak from the fire to Moses (Qur'an 27:7-9), and so this shows that Allah can do things like, enter into His own creation, become flesh (John 1:1-5; 1:14; see also Luke 1:34-35). He shows that the Qur'an limits Allah, because "Allah does not love sinners" (Qur'an 2:190; 2:276; 3:32; 3:57; 7:31; 4:36; 8:58; 28:77; 57:23); yet the Bible says, "God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" Romans 5:8
And Romans 5:10 teaches that Christ died for His enemies, which even the Grandverbalizer19, a Muslim, confessed is "greater love".
A Muslim admits that one dying for His enemies is greater love
Let's learn to share the gospel with Muslims, read and use parts of the Qur'an (NOT burn it) to help them understand the difference between Islam, and truth, Al Haqq الحق the Bible. Speak the truth in love to Muslims and respect them as people and seek evangelistic opportunities in the context of hospitality, which is a great cultural value in Muslim cultures.
I like David. His countenance shines of the True Holiness of God Himself.
ReplyDeleteOne gets the idea David has come to understand that while in the Old Testament era one could not do as King David did during his reign as the King of Israel. We read from Scripture he could go sit in the Presence of God and have a conversation with Him.
1Ch 17:16 Then King David went in and sat before the LORD and said, "Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?
What's changed you might be thinking?
Heb 10:19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus,
Heb 10:20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh,
Heb 10:21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God,
Heb 10:22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
Heb 10:23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.
Using Romans in this video set reminds me of the powerful strength of words, such as how the Aramaic translation renders this verse:
Rom 5:6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
Rom 5:7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person--though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die--
In the Aramaic translation translated into an English version that word righteous in verse 7 is translated into the English word "wicked" instead of righteous!
Thanks James!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the feedback - I was wondering why not many comments.
I guess it is not controversial enough. ( for our readers)
That video is fantastic. It seems to me to be presented in a way that many Muslims will listen and think rather than reflexively retreating into defensiveness.
ReplyDeleteSteelikat - Yes, that is precisely why I liked it so much also. That is the way we should approach Muslims, with both truth and respect/love (and using their understanding and culture also).
ReplyDeleteKen, I loved the direct approach that David takes. But I have a question: when he said at the end, that "I am greater than Allah, in that I love unbelieving sinners," how do Muslims respond to that? That seems like an excellent point, but it also seems like it might be inflammatory.
ReplyDeleteJohn,
ReplyDeleteYes, many Muslims would find that inflammatory and blasphemous.
Hopefully, some Muslims would not respond with their emotions and listen to what he is saying. But only God can open hearts. (Ephesians 2:1-9; John 6:44; Acts 16:14)
David Wood is not shy, and doesn't worry about offending Muslims.
This issue of "offending people" relates to our current political scene in USA.
Dennis Prager, the conservative Jewish Talk-show host said something very interesting, (as I was driving, I hear bits and pieces of his radio show) "Liberals/the Left's main principle is to make people feel good; (Political correctness; Multi-culturalism; "don't judge"; "I feel your pain"; moral relativism; historical revisionism)
Conservatives seek to do good."
What Liberalism/Democrats/the Left has in common with Islam is that it is all about being "nice" and making the other person feel good about their own feelings. (Don't judge the homosexuals or Muslims)
He also quoted a Liberal columnist who was complaining that Liberals have no principles except for "making other people feel good" (rather than actually doing good)
The liberal columnist said, something like "conservatives have 4 basic principles:
1. Low Taxes
2. Small Government
3. Strong Defense
4. Traditional Family (one man, one woman in marriage; abortion is wrong, etc.)
The writer was pointing out that liberals and Democrats really have no principles. They are afraid to even articulate them right now. (That Obama Care is good, etc. - they are running from their own legacy.)
David Wood is not shy; and is willing to cover any topic related to Islam, look at his blog and you will see.
We can speak the truth in love, and respect; and even what David said is not meant to insult, but to make an apologetic argument; but many Muslims react with their emotions.
Reacting with your emotions is what is common with many Muslims and the Left in politics and cultural issues.
I have written Dennis Prager 2 emails over the years as to why he doesn't become a Christian, but he never responded. He and Michael Medved are amazing in that they understand Biblical NT Christianity and can articulate it fairly accurately.
Thanks Ken. Wood certainly did clarify a lot of issues in a brief period of time. I will have to look at more of his work.
ReplyDelete