Need to response to classmate post:
Loving and Sharing the gospel with Muslims:
1) What practical steps could be taken to build a relationship with a follower of this worldview who might be a co-worker, neighbor, etc.?
One of the first steps I beleive to be the most important in building a relationship with a follower of another worldview is love. We must accept and realize that other people do not always share our same view, ideas and beleifs. Despite this fact we are called by Christ to love and show compassion to all who we come accross. The bible says "Whoever does not know love does not know God, because God is love" (1 John 4:8, New International Version). " We are to see past differing opinions when it comes to loving others and see them as God does, his children. In an online post by Dr.Steven Masood (a Chrstian with a Muslim backround), he makes a wonderful point: it isn't the muslims as a people who are the problem, it is the idealogy they follow. He goes on to state " Muslims are prisoners of it bound by Satan" (Masood, 2014). Secondly, I think it is important to pray for those we will come in contact with. Paul makes it clear that it is not us, but the hold spirit that convicts the minds and hearts of others and wins them over for Jesus (Romans 10:1). When building a relationship with others I think it is important to take into consideration their culture. By doing so we can build trust, and then create oportunities to share Christ. For instance, there are rules regarding the opposite sex. Unless related or married, men communicate with men and women with women (Masood, 2014). As chrisitans we beleive that sharing the gospel can happen anywhere with anyone in the correct situation, but it is important to respect these things in order to build trust. Building trust creates healthy relationships. Folowing certain cultural rules, that do not conflict our faith is a great way of reaching out and creating relationships with others.
2) What barriers/hindrances would exist with presenting the Christian gospel to a person from this worldview?
According to Sam Shamoun, an author for Answering Islam, Muslims beleive that Christianity is indefensible and irrational. Muslims beleive the Bible's original text was changed and altered by the Jews and Christians, they also beleive that the New Testament condricts the old Testament on who Jesus was, and neither mention the trinity (Shamoun, 2014). I beleive one of the biggest barriers would be the fact that they discredit the Bible, which is something that Christians use in making a case and evidence for their faith.
3) What personal challenges might you have with presenting the gospel?
I have heard that it takes a lot of committment and time spent with a Muslim until they accept Christ into his/her heart. My friend explained to me that the Muslim culture is one built upon relationships. When sharing the gospel with them, they will most likely have many hard and thought out questions for you. Personally, it is not the questions I feel as if I would struggle with but committing myself to ministering to them. I feel often times after long periods of time, without any progress I tend to become discouraged. I need to remind myself that God tells us to not become weary in doing good, but to fight the good fight (Galations 6:9).
References:
Masood, S. (2012). Bridge Points in Reaching Muslims.
Shamoun, S. (2014). A Christian Defense of the Gospel to Muslims.