carolaa Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 I am reading a fantastic little book called "Building Bridges: Christianity and Islam" by Fouad Accad. I highly recommend it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators John317 Posted February 14, 2011 Moderators Share Posted February 14, 2011 Can you summarize its primary theme or message? I know it's about the relationship between Islam and Christianity, but beyond that, what does it say? Is the author a Christian or a Muslim? Quote John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolaa Posted February 14, 2011 Author Share Posted February 14, 2011 The author is a Christian, not SDA. It talks about how to build relationships with Muslims so that they respect you as a sincere God-fearing person. It gives you some knowledge about the Quran so that you can communicate with them in the "language" they respect. It highlights areas where the Bible/Torah and the Quran agree so that you can discuss common ideas with them. It explains an effective sequence for discussions about Jesus, and also how to approach that subject in a way that the Muslim need not be ostracized by family and society if/when they accept Christ as their Savior. One thing that strikes me is how dauntingly slow the process is. It really does seem overwhelming when you realize there are billions of Muslims to reach, and I'm afraid it is not what we want to hear in this "instant" day and age. The author encourages prayer and fasting, and particularly prayer for God to send them dreams, because that is very effective. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Gail Posted February 14, 2011 Administrators Share Posted February 14, 2011 Wow- for mainstream Christianity to come up with a list of commonalities that is amazing! We as Adventists are used to being the denomination that is closest to Islam, we are used to finding common ground. Quote Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Gail Posted February 14, 2011 Administrators Share Posted February 14, 2011 BTW- Carolaa it's sure nice to see you again. I haven't seen you for a little while and missed you! Quote Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators John317 Posted February 15, 2011 Moderators Share Posted February 15, 2011 There's no doubt that SDAs as a church have more in common with Muslims than any Christian group that I know of. We can certainly understand and even agree with their disgust for the immorality that they see in the West, but we have to help them understand that freedom means people are free to do many things that the Bible condemns and that these things are not due to Christianity. We can show them that the Bible itself condemns those sins. But my concern, too, is that we shouldn't teach them that the Qur'an was inspired by God and that it teaches the same things that the Bible teaches. Because this is not true. But in my conversations and study with Muslims, I would emphasize the things we have in common; and as you suggested, it would be good to pray that God would send them dreams to convince them of the truth of the Bible's message. This is extremely important because they are usually taught from childhood that the Bible has been corrupted and that the Qur'an is the most accurate, dependable message from God. Quote John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolaa Posted February 15, 2011 Author Share Posted February 15, 2011 There's no doubt that SDAs as a church have more in common with Muslims than any Christian group that I know of. We can certainly understand and even agree with their disgust for the immorality that they see in the West, but we have to help them understand that freedom means people are free to do many things that the Bible condemns and that these things are not due to Christianity. We can show them that the Bible itself condemns those sins. But my concern, too, is that we shouldn't teach them that the Qur'an was inspired by God and that it teaches the same things that the Bible teaches. Because this is not true. But in my conversations and study with Muslims, I would emphasize the things we have in common; and as you suggested, it would be good to pray that God would send them dreams to convince them of the truth of the Bible's message. This is extremely important because they are usually taught from childhood that the Bible has been corrupted and that the Qur'an is the most accurate, dependable message from God. The author is careful never to insinuate that the Quran is inspired by God, but he feels it is important to show the Muslims things from their own holy book that agree with the Bible in order to instill their confidence in the Bible. It is impressive to a Muslim to see a Christian who can quote the Quran. And when they see where the Quran and the Bible say the same thing about many things, it makes them want to know more about the Bible. He addresses their belief that the Bible has been corrupted, but it is further in the process. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolaa Posted February 15, 2011 Author Share Posted February 15, 2011 BTW- Carolaa it's sure nice to see you again. I haven't seen you for a little while and missed you! Aw, you're sweet, thanks! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators John317 Posted February 15, 2011 Moderators Share Posted February 15, 2011 Thanks for that, carolla. I agree completely with you. Quote John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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