English Intercede

Without question, one of the greatest controversies in the world rages over Jerusalem, a city held sacred by the three monotheistic faiths—Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Most Christians understand why Jerusalem is important to them and Jews, but they question the Muslims’ claim to the holy city. Since Muhammad ministered in Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia, what connection do Muslims have with this city in Israel? There are three major reasons why Muslims feel connected, not only to Jerusalem, but also to Palestine.

Throughout the Bible, God has revealed His heart and mission to draw all people to himself. “All people” includes Muslims. Yet some Christians see the conversion of Muslims as an impossibility or, at the least, a rarity. God continually sends people to minister among Muslims. God performs signs and wonders among them. In fact, Stuart Robinson surveyed 600 Muslim background believers and found six reasons Muslims chose to follow Jesus.

Radical Islam’s agenda is world domination through all possible means—including terrorism and violence. Today over 2,500 mosques in the United States promote Islam and the number is growing rapidly. How should we respond in light of the London bombings, current events, and the rapid growth of Islam in the West?

Islamic fundamentalism is not of recent origin. Its roots go back further than the current attacks on the West or attempts at a Middle East peace settlement. In this article, we want to look at three categories of factors that caused the rise of Islamic fundamentalism and the terrorism it has produced. These factors are historical, dealing with the history from Muhammad’s time until today; anthropological, such as social, religious and political factors; and ideological, the ideas of specific, influential Muslims.

For now we see through a glass darkly... (1 Corinthians 13:12). When Paul wrote these words he was speaking of the glory that will come when we see the Lord face to face. But heaven is not the only thing that we cannot see clearly right now. It is very difficult to get a clear picture of what is happening to the Church in some countries. Iran is one of those countries. How do we peer through this dark glass and find out what is really happening in Iran? I believe that in order to view the present with accuracy, we must also have a sense of history.

Hajj, the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, is one of the five pillars of Islam, the duty of every Muslim who is physically and financially able to perform it. In the 19th century B.C., Muslims believe, Abraham—the revered patriarch of Islam, Christianity and Judaism—was instructed by God to build a house of worship in a narrow valley between two barren ridges in a place today called Mecca, on the present site of the Ka’bah, the cubic structure inside the Grand Mosque.

Ruth and I met our first Muslim family when we were students. For Hamid and Halimah, the University of California at Davis was very different from their home country of Tunisia. We helped Halima with her English and shared some meals together. When we left to attend Turkish language school in Monterrey, they accepted an Arabic New Testament as a parting gift. Looking back at those times, I realize how easily we came together. It was natural for Hamid and Halima to look for friendships within the university community. For a first effort, we did okay. But there were four things we needed to learn.

Christians and Muslims have serious theological differences. However, these deep disparities often obscure the common ground we share. Mutual understanding is further hindered by the fact that Islam and Christianity have many words in common, but often with very different meanings. Consequently, it is imperative for Christians to understand crucial differences in order to build on mutual values and beliefs. This understanding will help the believer establish and maintain Christ-like relationships with his Muslim neighbors and communicate the gospel of Jesus effectively.

John Esposito, the most influential non-Muslim scholar on American Islam, at times, sounds prophetic. The Islamic Threat: Myth or Reality? (1992) suggest Islam is a threat to the West--particularly America. A decade later, in Unholy War: Terror in the Name of Islam (2002), he says a war conducted militarily, rather than diplomatically, will lead to an increase in anti-Americanism, global instability, and bloodshed. American foreign policy, he says, is what is behind the anger and agenda of militant Muslims.

Doctors base their prescriptions for care on their diagnoses of the problem, which they can observe. Traditionally Muslims have not diagnosed the problem of human nature as being as critical as have Christians Consequently, Muslims have not seen the need for a radical solution.

My Christian Iraqi friends encouraged me to visit their country and observe the Spirit of God at work. In 1998, after a grueling 12-hours, 700-mile bus trip across the desert, I arrived in Baghdad. In spite of government "minders," I was able to meet and speak with many Christians. In addition to the historic faith communities of Chaldean and Assyrian Catholics, and Greek Orthodox, I was amazed to find a large Evangelical family and a substantial group of Pentecostals.

When it comes to Christians reaching out to Muslim people, one of the most common questions is,"How can I best share Christ with a Muslim?" The answer is not so simple because not all Muslims are the same. Islam embraces a global community of adherents who come from a wide assortment of national cultures, Islamic sects, religious practices, and social strata. Some Muslims are extremely conservative and, therefore, suspicious of Western ways. Conversely, some Muslims pride themselves as modernists and are quick to identify with contemporary trends.