WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.240 Well hello and welcome to our session on how we can better understand and reach Muslim friends and neighbours and colleagues. 00:00:09.859 --> 00:00:17.719 I'm Andy Bannister from the Solar Centre for Public Christianity and the whole topic of how we engage with Muslims has been one that I've thought about for some time. 00:00:18.559 --> 00:00:27.039 Although I live in Scotland at the moment, I grew up in London, a very multicultural part of London, and there were Muslims all around us in my part of the city. 00:00:27.039 --> 00:00:36.060 In fact, many of my friends at school were Muslims, and I guess back then I probably largely assumed when I was in my teens and early 20s that Christianity and Islam were kind of largely the same. 00:00:36.659 --> 00:00:43.239 But then in my mid-20s, I began going up to a place in London called Speaker's Corner, and that's part of Hyde Park in London. 00:00:43.759 --> 00:00:50.480 And at Speaker's Corner, anyone can stand on a ladder or a box and you can talk about anything, politics, religion, sports, you name it, get a crowd. 00:00:50.840 --> 00:00:56.359 And I went up there with a group of Christians who were using Speaker's Corner as a vehicle to reach Muslims. 00:00:56.359 --> 00:01:04.780 And I began dialoguing, debating with Muslims, and I got absolutely fascinated, fascinated by the differences that I really discovered between Christianity and Islam, 00:01:05.099 --> 00:01:09.459 and really just discovered a real passion for sharing my faith with Muslims. 00:01:09.640 --> 00:01:17.260 Now, back in that time, back in the late 1990s, most people weren't interested in Islam or in thinking about how we engage with Muslims. 00:01:17.640 --> 00:01:19.599 The church had her focus on other things. 00:01:19.599 --> 00:01:28.019 But in recent decades, of course, everything has changed, and particularly the UK's religious makeup has and is changing. 00:01:28.119 --> 00:01:32.399 It's changing rapidly, especially when it comes to Islam. 00:01:32.919 --> 00:01:37.379 Especially noteworthy are the changing immigration patterns that we see. 00:01:37.519 --> 00:01:43.179 43% of Muslims who arrived in the UK between 2010 and 2016 were Muslim. 00:01:43.180 --> 00:01:52.440 And according to the very well-respected Pew Research Centre, the number of Muslims here in the UK is predicted to rise to about 13 million in 30 years' time. 00:01:52.520 --> 00:02:01.660 And so it's vital as Christians that we think missionally and evangelistically about how we engage Islam. 00:02:01.659 --> 00:02:09.259 And so what I want to do in this talk is to unpack the Muslim worldview in a bit more detail. 00:02:09.379 --> 00:02:10.939 What do our Muslim friends believe and why? 00:02:11.099 --> 00:02:12.620 What are some of the implications? 00:02:12.800 --> 00:02:14.900 What are some of the apologetic issues? 00:02:15.280 --> 00:02:20.379 Apologetics, that branch of Christian thought concerned with giving a reason why we believe what we believe. 00:02:20.460 --> 00:02:24.740 How do we get ourselves equipped to share our faith with Muslims? 00:02:24.819 --> 00:02:28.439 And what are some basic principles for sharing your faith with your Muslim friends? 00:02:28.439 --> 00:02:32.219 And there are some resources I've put together to help you get the most out of this talk. 00:02:32.280 --> 00:02:37.960 If you go to the SOLAS website, solascpc.org forward slash Islam, download the slides from this talk. 00:02:38.300 --> 00:02:44.520 You can get hold of information on my brand new book, The Muslims and Christians Worship the Same God, just out with IVP. 00:02:44.659 --> 00:02:48.340 Lots of really great stuff in there and also a free e-book we have on Islam. 00:02:48.460 --> 00:02:53.300 And this talk is really designed as an overview, a kind of view from 30,000 feet. 00:02:53.300 --> 00:03:00.760 And we're going to cover a lot of ground at high speed, which is why I hugely recommend you visit the SOLAS website forward slash Islam. 00:03:01.280 --> 00:03:05.020 Grab some of those resources because it will let you get the most out of this talk. 00:03:05.340 --> 00:03:08.640 Well, we've got a lot to cover in the next 35 minutes or so. 00:03:08.780 --> 00:03:12.680 So let's dive in and take a look at how Islam began. 00:03:12.800 --> 00:03:16.700 And to understand Islam today, we do need to understand how it all began. 00:03:16.699 --> 00:03:24.939 The cultural context into which Islam was birthed and Mohammed, the founder of the religion we know today as Islam. 00:03:25.039 --> 00:03:27.859 We need to take a look at his origins as well. 00:03:28.679 --> 00:03:30.780 Well, Islam emerged into a world of empires. 00:03:31.239 --> 00:03:40.799 The Arabian Peninsula of the 7th century lying sandwiched between the great Byzantine and Persian empires who had been at war with each other for centuries, for years. 00:03:40.800 --> 00:03:48.600 The Arabian Peninsula kind of lay outside of the action, a bit of a multi-ethnic and multi-religious backwater. 00:03:49.140 --> 00:03:51.719 Arabia back then was religiously very diverse. 00:03:52.200 --> 00:03:55.120 There were Christian groups and Jewish groups, other religions jostling around. 00:03:55.120 --> 00:04:04.280 And it was also largely an oral culture, storytelling and poetry being the main ways that religious and cultural ideas were circulated. 00:04:05.140 --> 00:04:10.060 And into this world, Mohammed was born sometime round about AD 570. 00:04:10.060 --> 00:04:17.360 And according to the Muslim historians, and what follows next, I'm just basically following the standard Muslim biography of Mohammed. 00:04:17.800 --> 00:04:23.439 More critical scholars might raise some questions about some of these dates and facts and so forth, but we'll stick with the Muslim view. 00:04:24.000 --> 00:04:30.279 Mohammed was born, according to Muslim historians, in Mecca, a minor trading and pilgrimage site. 00:04:30.279 --> 00:04:37.859 And the Kabar, that cube-shaped black building, to which today every Muslim prays, well, that was there before Mohammed. 00:04:38.219 --> 00:04:43.579 It was used to host idols for a whole range of a wide range of pagan deities. 00:04:44.359 --> 00:04:49.679 Well, as he grew up, Mohammed worked first as a shepherd and then in the caravan trading business. 00:04:50.079 --> 00:04:55.479 At age 25, he married his wealthy caravan-owning boss, Khadija. 00:04:55.480 --> 00:05:01.960 He was 25, she was 40, and she bore him two sons and four daughters, but only the daughters survived. 00:05:02.439 --> 00:05:05.600 That was a pattern that would be repeated with his later wives. 00:05:05.720 --> 00:05:14.360 In fact, Mohammed would marry something like 20 different men, women, and his failure, but none of them would provide him with a male heir. 00:05:14.759 --> 00:05:19.040 And that arguably led to a number of succession problems after his death. 00:05:19.040 --> 00:05:31.460 Well, Mohammed had spiritual interests, he had ascetic leanings, and as a young man, he would regularly retire into the desert for spiritual retreats and periods of reflection. 00:05:32.320 --> 00:05:45.900 And according to the Muslim historians, it was one such sort of trip into the desert in AD 610 that the angel Gabriel appeared to him and revealed to him what is now chapter 96 of the Quran. 00:05:45.899 --> 00:05:52.379 The Quran is not in chronological order, so Muslims believe that chapter 96 were the first verses that were revealed to Mohammed there. 00:05:52.699 --> 00:06:02.919 And for the next 23 years, he continued to receive revelations as the angel would appear and revealed to him more and more and more of what would eventually be collected together and form the Quran. 00:06:04.000 --> 00:06:07.379 Now, during those 23 years, Mohammed had two distinct phases to his career. 00:06:07.379 --> 00:06:18.920 The first was in Mecca, where from 610 to 622, he began his ministry, largely in his message claiming to be like the biblical prophets only sent to the Arabs. 00:06:19.040 --> 00:06:20.600 And his message was threefold. 00:06:21.439 --> 00:06:29.259 He talked about monotheism, he talked about social justice, and he warned of the punishments in hell for those who refused to listen. 00:06:30.040 --> 00:06:33.199 And he gained a few converts, but not very many. 00:06:33.199 --> 00:06:37.259 The main thing Mohammed gained in this part of his ministry was, in fact, opposition. 00:06:37.680 --> 00:06:42.699 Opposition to him grew quickly in Mecca, eventually leading to outright persecution. 00:06:43.279 --> 00:06:48.800 And that became so bad that in the end, Mohammed and his followers had to flee for their lives. 00:06:48.899 --> 00:06:58.419 And so it was in AD 622 that the early Muslims, a few hundred of them, migrated a couple of hundred miles north from Mecca up to Medina. 00:06:58.420 --> 00:07:02.259 And that date actually marks the start of the Muslim calendar. 00:07:02.420 --> 00:07:05.480 It's known as the immigration or the hijrah in Arabic. 00:07:06.060 --> 00:07:07.580 And Muslims date their calendar. 00:07:07.800 --> 00:07:10.600 Their year one dates from our year 622. 00:07:11.100 --> 00:07:14.900 And that move to Medina is incredibly significant. 00:07:15.040 --> 00:07:17.560 One reason why, in fact, Muslims date their calendar from it. 00:07:17.639 --> 00:07:24.319 A very significant Mohammed's time in Medina, if we want to understand why Islam looks the way that it does today. 00:07:24.319 --> 00:07:29.939 For it was at Medina, though Mohammed makes the transition from being a prophet to being a statesman. 00:07:30.379 --> 00:07:31.500 He gained control of the city. 00:07:31.839 --> 00:07:35.699 And that was accompanied by a shift in the character of his revelations. 00:07:36.199 --> 00:07:43.019 Now Mohammed begins to claim that God was revealing to him new laws for a new nation with him in charge of it. 00:07:43.300 --> 00:07:44.439 And this has a number of implications. 00:07:44.639 --> 00:07:48.560 For example, it's at Medina that we first see the beginnings of jihad or holy war. 00:07:48.560 --> 00:07:54.680 With a number of verses of the Koran, allowing for at first offensive use of battle, defensive rather, 00:07:54.780 --> 00:07:58.720 and then later offensive use of battle to further the Muslim cause. 00:07:59.519 --> 00:08:06.620 Following a number of military interactions with the Meccans, Mohammed finally conquers his home city in 630 AD 00:08:06.620 --> 00:08:11.840 and spends the last two years of his life bringing the whole Arabian peninsula under his control. 00:08:12.160 --> 00:08:13.939 Before he died in 632. 00:08:13.939 --> 00:08:22.060 Now that really is a totally high-speed whistle-stop tour of Mohammed's life. 00:08:22.139 --> 00:08:25.639 But it's helpful to even understand that basic framework for a couple of reasons. 00:08:26.060 --> 00:08:30.360 Firstly, for Muslims, of course, the Koran is deeply bound up with Mohammed's life. 00:08:30.839 --> 00:08:33.840 For Sunni Muslims, the largest sect of Islam in particular, 00:08:34.259 --> 00:08:37.379 if they want to understand what a particular verse of the Koran means, 00:08:37.600 --> 00:08:39.759 they will read it through the filter of Mohammed's life. 00:08:39.759 --> 00:08:43.279 They will ask, what was Mohammed doing when that verse was revealed? 00:08:44.000 --> 00:08:45.779 And thus they can interpret it today. 00:08:46.360 --> 00:08:48.860 And then, of course, secondly, for Muslims of all varieties, 00:08:49.419 --> 00:08:53.959 although Mohammed is only a man, he is still the supreme example, they believe, of humankind. 00:08:54.360 --> 00:09:00.439 And they want to study his life and try and emulate his life, his teaching, his practice, and so on. 00:09:00.500 --> 00:09:03.819 And really, history in Islam casts long shadows. 00:09:03.820 --> 00:09:11.320 And we cannot fully understand Islam and the issues around it today without understanding how it really began, 00:09:11.440 --> 00:09:14.260 and especially the centrality of Mohammed in the middle of it. 00:09:15.000 --> 00:09:21.420 Well, let's now turn from Mohammed and the origins of Islam to the core beliefs of Islam. 00:09:21.419 --> 00:09:26.819 And one of the things that sometimes confuses people and feeds this sort of belief we see in many places 00:09:26.819 --> 00:09:33.379 that Muslims and Christians believe the same thing is the fact that Muslims will use the same words as Christians do, 00:09:33.500 --> 00:09:35.000 but mean different things by them. 00:09:35.139 --> 00:09:42.000 Don't assume that because your Muslim friend speaks of words like God, faith, scripture, revelation, or so on, 00:09:42.099 --> 00:09:44.839 they mean the same thing by that word that we do. 00:09:44.840 --> 00:09:50.019 We should always ask your Muslim friend, hey, you know, we use that word too, but tell me, what do you mean by it? 00:09:50.780 --> 00:09:53.660 It's also worth noting, incidentally, as we move into talking about Muslim beliefs, 00:09:54.280 --> 00:09:58.600 that for our Muslim friends, belief often comes a close second to practice. 00:09:59.019 --> 00:10:03.899 The five pillars of Islam, if you've studied anything on Islam, read a book, or, you know, 00:10:03.980 --> 00:10:08.060 had classes, religious studies sort of stuff at school or university or whatever, 00:10:08.360 --> 00:10:13.280 you'll probably come across the five pillars of Islam, the five things that Muslims have to do to be a Muslim. 00:10:13.279 --> 00:10:21.539 And in fact, it's been remarked, in fact, that Islam is far more a religion characterized by practice than by belief. 00:10:21.899 --> 00:10:28.899 In fact, somebody once remarked that, you know, in Christianity, what we have really is complex beliefs and very simple practices. 00:10:29.019 --> 00:10:32.439 Not a lot of things you have to do to be a Christian, but some things you have to believe. 00:10:32.879 --> 00:10:34.139 Islam always reverses that. 00:10:34.240 --> 00:10:38.639 And Islam are very simple beliefs, very, very, very few things you actually have to believe, 00:10:38.980 --> 00:10:41.459 but quite complex things you have to do. 00:10:41.460 --> 00:10:48.620 But Islam, like Christianity, sets out to be a worldview that's a complete understanding of reality. 00:10:49.080 --> 00:10:51.580 And the same with other worldviews attempt to understand reality, 00:10:51.759 --> 00:10:56.480 be they worldviews like atheism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, or indeed Christianity. 00:10:57.000 --> 00:11:01.060 And all worldviews set out to answer some fairly basic questions. 00:11:01.139 --> 00:11:04.879 In fact, I go into this in some detail, actually, in the third chapter of my book, 00:11:04.940 --> 00:11:06.580 Do Muslims and Christians Worship the Same God? 00:11:06.580 --> 00:11:09.139 From where I'm drawing some of this material here today. 00:11:09.620 --> 00:11:12.220 But there are some basic questions that worldviews try to answer. 00:11:12.540 --> 00:11:14.320 And here are four that I think are quite helpful. 00:11:15.320 --> 00:11:17.240 Worldviews try to answer questions like, is there a God? 00:11:17.280 --> 00:11:18.360 And if so, what is he like? 00:11:18.639 --> 00:11:19.600 What does it mean to be human? 00:11:19.860 --> 00:11:20.500 What's the problem? 00:11:20.560 --> 00:11:21.560 What's gone wrong with the world? 00:11:21.900 --> 00:11:24.060 And what is the solution? 00:11:24.940 --> 00:11:27.100 And interestingly, on every one of those core questions, 00:11:27.600 --> 00:11:29.740 Islam and Christianity are utterly different. 00:11:29.740 --> 00:11:34.899 There's a common misconception in our culture that the world's major religions, 00:11:35.279 --> 00:11:37.019 and certainly Islam and Christianity, are the same, 00:11:37.100 --> 00:11:39.159 which is why I wrote the book I just mentioned. 00:11:39.620 --> 00:11:41.560 Many people think it doesn't matter sort of what you believe, 00:11:42.039 --> 00:11:43.039 as well as you're sincere. 00:11:43.299 --> 00:11:45.620 I hear this on university campuses all the time. 00:11:45.620 --> 00:11:50.240 But Islam offers us a very good test case in the case of that question. 00:11:50.340 --> 00:11:54.879 Because as you look at Islam, you suddenly discover, very quickly discover, 00:11:54.879 --> 00:11:59.820 how profoundly different Islam and Christianity are from each other, 00:11:59.899 --> 00:12:03.659 how their worldview answers are not just sort of slightly different, 00:12:03.759 --> 00:12:05.139 but they're radically different. 00:12:05.240 --> 00:12:07.200 They're miles apart from each other. 00:12:07.840 --> 00:12:11.200 And to show you that, what I want to do is survey the core beliefs of Islam. 00:12:11.840 --> 00:12:16.320 And as we do, we'll see how they fuel Islam's answers to those four worldview questions. 00:12:17.299 --> 00:12:19.620 And according to the classical creeds of Islam, 00:12:19.620 --> 00:12:25.879 Muslims are committed, are commanded to believe in five core beliefs. 00:12:26.060 --> 00:12:30.080 Belief in God, belief in angels, belief in scripture, 00:12:30.639 --> 00:12:32.519 belief in prophets, and belief in the day of judgment. 00:12:32.820 --> 00:12:34.600 So let's explore these briefly one by one. 00:12:35.000 --> 00:12:36.340 Let's start with belief in God. 00:12:36.960 --> 00:12:41.360 Muslims believe that God, who they call Allah, is utterly, indivisibly one, 00:12:41.360 --> 00:12:43.279 which is one reason, incidentally, 00:12:43.659 --> 00:12:46.680 why they tend to believe that Christians are polytheists, 00:12:46.700 --> 00:12:48.180 because we believe in the Trinity. 00:12:48.179 --> 00:12:51.599 Muslims mishear that and think that we believe in three gods. 00:12:52.419 --> 00:12:56.239 The Quran, as it describes who Allah, the God of Islam is, 00:12:56.579 --> 00:12:58.599 puts a major emphasis on God's power. 00:12:59.099 --> 00:13:03.019 Listen to these words from the 112th chapter of the Quran, 00:13:03.159 --> 00:13:06.279 which is often considered to be the Quran's most succinct description 00:13:06.279 --> 00:13:08.399 of who the Quranic God is. 00:13:08.939 --> 00:13:11.199 Say, he is Allah, the one and only. 00:13:11.559 --> 00:13:14.419 He is Allah, the eternal, the absolute. 00:13:14.419 --> 00:13:17.879 He begetteth not, nor is he begotten, nor is there any, 00:13:18.379 --> 00:13:19.899 and there is none like unto him. 00:13:20.379 --> 00:13:22.279 Notice the emphasis there on God's power. 00:13:22.579 --> 00:13:23.039 He's eternal. 00:13:23.139 --> 00:13:23.620 He's absolute. 00:13:23.779 --> 00:13:26.339 But also notice the little dig at Christians there. 00:13:26.379 --> 00:13:28.339 He begetteth not, nor is he begotten. 00:13:29.259 --> 00:13:33.719 Well, the Quran also frequently stresses Allah's utter transcendence. 00:13:33.819 --> 00:13:34.559 He's distant. 00:13:34.819 --> 00:13:35.620 He's high. 00:13:35.879 --> 00:13:36.519 He's lofty. 00:13:36.539 --> 00:13:36.979 He's remote. 00:13:36.980 --> 00:13:37.659 He's removed. 00:13:38.060 --> 00:13:40.420 In the Quran, he really reveals only his will, 00:13:40.840 --> 00:13:43.360 not his character or his nature or himself. 00:13:44.120 --> 00:13:47.580 So that really, a Muslim's relationship with God is one of obedience, 00:13:47.759 --> 00:13:52.180 like a slave to a master, not a close personal relationship. 00:13:52.899 --> 00:13:54.960 And so in terms of the first worldview question, 00:13:55.440 --> 00:13:57.659 is there a God and who is he like? 00:13:58.580 --> 00:14:00.840 Well, Islam would answer, yes, of course, there's a God. 00:14:01.180 --> 00:14:01.899 And who is he? 00:14:01.899 --> 00:14:02.600 Well, he's ruler. 00:14:02.840 --> 00:14:03.639 He's creator. 00:14:03.860 --> 00:14:04.559 He's Lord. 00:14:04.699 --> 00:14:05.620 He's master. 00:14:05.879 --> 00:14:09.779 He certainly is not father, saviour, or friend. 00:14:09.899 --> 00:14:13.039 In fact, no relationship is really possible with the God of the Quran. 00:14:13.199 --> 00:14:16.519 Nowhere does the Quran invite its readers into a relationship with Allah. 00:14:17.159 --> 00:14:21.019 He tends to sort of govern the world like a distant ruler, 00:14:21.480 --> 00:14:23.799 like a bit of an absent landlord, actually, quite honestly. 00:14:25.240 --> 00:14:28.419 So from belief in God, the second belief of Muslims we're going to look at, 00:14:28.500 --> 00:14:31.699 according to the classical creeds of Islam, belief in angels. 00:14:31.700 --> 00:14:35.259 And angels form a core part of the Islamic belief system, 00:14:35.360 --> 00:14:37.259 far more so than in Christianity, 00:14:37.520 --> 00:14:39.980 where many Christians I spent we get through much of our lives 00:14:39.980 --> 00:14:41.920 without really thinking that much about angels. 00:14:42.540 --> 00:14:44.400 But in Islam, angels are central. 00:14:44.879 --> 00:14:46.280 It is angels who brought revelation. 00:14:46.960 --> 00:14:50.960 Remember the story of how Muhammad received the Quran according to Islamic beliefs? 00:14:51.060 --> 00:14:53.200 It wasn't God who revealed the Quran to Muhammad, 00:14:53.500 --> 00:14:54.600 but it was the angel Gabriel. 00:14:55.180 --> 00:14:57.940 It's angels who bring revelation down from heaven to the prophets. 00:14:58.300 --> 00:15:00.280 It's angels who, according to Islamic tradition, 00:15:00.279 --> 00:15:01.480 watch over your every deed. 00:15:01.600 --> 00:15:03.299 According to Islamic tradition, 00:15:03.659 --> 00:15:05.459 every person has two recording angels, 00:15:05.600 --> 00:15:06.579 one sitting on the right shoulder, 00:15:06.659 --> 00:15:07.259 one on the left, 00:15:07.620 --> 00:15:08.659 who record your good deeds, 00:15:08.720 --> 00:15:09.399 your bad deeds, 00:15:09.500 --> 00:15:11.519 so they can be weighed on the day of judgment. 00:15:12.419 --> 00:15:14.899 And all this means that angels are sort of everyday reality, 00:15:15.339 --> 00:15:16.679 really, for faithful Muslims, 00:15:16.779 --> 00:15:18.720 far more part of their belief and faith and practice. 00:15:18.720 --> 00:15:23.379 And this centrality of angels in Islam rather than Christianity, 00:15:23.560 --> 00:15:25.440 I think actually flows from beliefs about Allah. 00:15:25.860 --> 00:15:29.460 Because Allah is so distant and remote and transcendent, 00:15:29.860 --> 00:15:33.840 angels have kind of come into the gap that's being created between humans and God. 00:15:34.100 --> 00:15:36.660 It's angels who interact with the earthly realm, 00:15:37.100 --> 00:15:38.820 and angels who, for the lowly Muslim, 00:15:39.180 --> 00:15:42.440 form his or her point of contact with the spiritual realm. 00:15:43.000 --> 00:15:44.779 So think about the second worldview question. 00:15:44.899 --> 00:15:45.940 What does it mean to be human? 00:15:45.940 --> 00:15:47.960 And who are humans in Islam? 00:15:48.300 --> 00:15:50.100 Well, Islam would answer humans are slaves 00:15:50.100 --> 00:15:52.180 who must be constantly kind of watched 00:15:52.180 --> 00:15:53.780 to ensure that we're obedient, 00:15:53.780 --> 00:15:56.300 because they're forgetful and they go wrong in all kinds of ways. 00:15:56.440 --> 00:15:57.880 And the Quran is very clear. 00:15:58.860 --> 00:16:02.020 Also, of course, that Allah only shows favor 00:16:02.020 --> 00:16:05.500 to those who first obediently act towards him. 00:16:05.560 --> 00:16:07.400 All the initiative is on our side. 00:16:07.500 --> 00:16:09.340 There is no sense in the Quran 00:16:09.340 --> 00:16:12.800 that God loves or takes initiative in reaching sinners. 00:16:12.799 --> 00:16:15.379 The Quran says in chapter 3, verse 31, 00:16:15.539 --> 00:16:17.399 if you love Allah, follow me. 00:16:17.879 --> 00:16:20.359 Allah will love and then forgive you your sins. 00:16:20.479 --> 00:16:23.379 And it's the role of angels to keep an eye on human beings in the Quran 00:16:23.379 --> 00:16:25.799 to make sure they're following all of that out. 00:16:26.099 --> 00:16:27.799 What a contrast, I always say. 00:16:27.839 --> 00:16:28.459 What a contrast. 00:16:28.579 --> 00:16:29.259 The God of the Bible, 00:16:29.659 --> 00:16:31.120 who in Romans 5, verse 8, 00:16:31.179 --> 00:16:32.599 we're told loved us first 00:16:32.599 --> 00:16:33.899 and demonstrated that, 00:16:33.959 --> 00:16:35.159 that even while we're still sinners, 00:16:35.659 --> 00:16:37.099 he sent Jesus to die for us. 00:16:37.100 --> 00:16:41.159 So from belief in God and belief in angels, 00:16:41.340 --> 00:16:42.920 let's turn to scripture, 00:16:43.060 --> 00:16:45.659 the third belief in the classical Muslim creed. 00:16:45.740 --> 00:16:48.700 So Muslims believe that Allah has revealed his will to human beings 00:16:48.700 --> 00:16:50.960 by sending books with his prophets. 00:16:51.139 --> 00:16:53.279 And indeed, they believe that every prophet 00:16:53.279 --> 00:16:56.460 brought some sort of book or written revelation. 00:16:56.879 --> 00:16:57.740 Not all have survived, 00:16:58.159 --> 00:17:00.540 but the Quran does speak of the Torah sent to Moses, 00:17:01.040 --> 00:17:03.379 the Psalms or the Zabor in Arabic sent to David, 00:17:03.840 --> 00:17:06.440 the Injil or the Gospel sent to Jesus, 00:17:06.440 --> 00:17:07.960 and of course, the Quran talks about itself, 00:17:08.100 --> 00:17:11.400 the Quran, Allah's final revelation sent to Muhammad. 00:17:11.519 --> 00:17:13.080 In fact, the Quran speaks very positively 00:17:13.080 --> 00:17:15.220 about those former scriptures, 00:17:15.680 --> 00:17:17.480 but Muslims believe that, of course, 00:17:17.500 --> 00:17:19.840 it's the Quran that is God's final word, 00:17:20.000 --> 00:17:21.820 and many Muslims have been taught to believe 00:17:21.820 --> 00:17:24.080 that the former scriptures have been corrupted 00:17:24.080 --> 00:17:25.980 and that only the Quran is reliable. 00:17:26.779 --> 00:17:27.960 But there are some distinct differences 00:17:27.960 --> 00:17:29.460 in what Muslims believe about scripture. 00:17:30.180 --> 00:17:31.460 They believe that scripture consists 00:17:31.460 --> 00:17:33.759 of the first person direct speech of God. 00:17:33.759 --> 00:17:36.059 If you were to open the Quran and read it, 00:17:36.059 --> 00:17:37.480 you would notice that every verse 00:17:37.480 --> 00:17:39.179 is sort of God speaking in the first person. 00:17:39.720 --> 00:17:40.779 And that's useful to know 00:17:40.779 --> 00:17:42.559 because it can cause Muslims confusion 00:17:42.559 --> 00:17:44.200 when they encounter the Bible. 00:17:44.319 --> 00:17:45.460 A Muslim who comes to the Bible 00:17:45.460 --> 00:17:48.159 and opens it expecting to find it like the Quran 00:17:48.159 --> 00:17:51.139 can get confused by the different genres there 00:17:51.139 --> 00:17:53.919 in the Bible, you know, history, biography, 00:17:54.159 --> 00:17:55.980 poetry, lore, drama, song, and prophecy. 00:17:56.599 --> 00:17:57.940 I've seen Muslims sometimes, you know, 00:17:57.960 --> 00:17:59.980 open the New Testament and say things like, 00:18:00.039 --> 00:18:01.759 well, you know, I can see books written 00:18:01.759 --> 00:18:04.420 by Matthew and Mark and Luke and John. 00:18:04.519 --> 00:18:06.480 Where is the book that Jesus wrote? 00:18:06.539 --> 00:18:08.079 Where's the book that God wrote? 00:18:08.460 --> 00:18:10.180 Because they're approaching the Bible 00:18:10.180 --> 00:18:12.539 expecting to find it identical to the Quran. 00:18:12.819 --> 00:18:13.879 So if you've got a Muslim friend 00:18:13.879 --> 00:18:15.900 and you're going to do, say, a Bible study with them, 00:18:16.099 --> 00:18:17.740 help them understand what Christians think 00:18:17.740 --> 00:18:19.019 about scripture, how it works. 00:18:19.980 --> 00:18:21.420 Another major difference, incidentally, 00:18:21.900 --> 00:18:24.819 concerns the content of scripture. 00:18:25.240 --> 00:18:27.859 The Quran very much is about Allah revealing his will. 00:18:28.299 --> 00:18:29.759 You know, here's what Allah wants you to do. 00:18:29.759 --> 00:18:31.319 Here are the commands you should follow. 00:18:31.819 --> 00:18:35.059 But he never reveals his character or himself. 00:18:35.460 --> 00:18:38.019 Remember, we have a God who is remote and transcendent 00:18:38.019 --> 00:18:39.920 and ultimately unknowable. 00:18:40.359 --> 00:18:42.400 And so the Quran is largely concerned 00:18:42.400 --> 00:18:44.559 with God's will and commands. 00:18:44.879 --> 00:18:46.379 Also, it's concerned with those, 00:18:46.779 --> 00:18:47.579 because of its answers, 00:18:47.720 --> 00:18:49.299 its third and fourth world view question. 00:18:49.379 --> 00:18:50.519 The third and fourth world view question, 00:18:50.900 --> 00:18:51.660 what's the problem? 00:18:51.819 --> 00:18:52.980 What's gone wrong with the world? 00:18:53.420 --> 00:18:54.559 And of course, what's the solution? 00:18:55.079 --> 00:18:56.599 And Islam would reply to that, 00:18:56.660 --> 00:18:58.940 well, the problem is that human beings are weak 00:18:58.940 --> 00:19:00.420 and they're forgetful. 00:19:00.580 --> 00:19:02.519 What they need is more information 00:19:02.519 --> 00:19:04.120 in the form of commandments. 00:19:04.460 --> 00:19:05.660 It's really important to understand 00:19:05.660 --> 00:19:07.700 that the Quran doesn't really talk about salvation. 00:19:08.400 --> 00:19:09.860 Islam doesn't really offer you salvation. 00:19:10.160 --> 00:19:12.660 The Quran offers really a self-help program. 00:19:13.039 --> 00:19:14.779 You know, the problem is you forget God's commands. 00:19:15.320 --> 00:19:16.480 Here are some more of them. 00:19:16.740 --> 00:19:17.880 Whereas Christianity, of course, 00:19:17.940 --> 00:19:20.200 there's no something much more drastic has gone wrong. 00:19:20.380 --> 00:19:22.920 And there's a much more drastic solution needed. 00:19:22.920 --> 00:19:26.480 Let's turn to the penultimate belief of Islam, 00:19:26.580 --> 00:19:27.259 belief in prophets. 00:19:28.440 --> 00:19:30.300 Like Christians, Muslims believe that God 00:19:30.300 --> 00:19:32.039 has sent messengers, prophets to mankind. 00:19:32.460 --> 00:19:34.220 But there really the similarity ends. 00:19:34.300 --> 00:19:35.920 For Muslims believe some pretty different things 00:19:35.920 --> 00:19:36.480 about prophets. 00:19:36.980 --> 00:19:39.019 For example, the traditional Islamic belief 00:19:39.019 --> 00:19:40.200 is that prophets are sinless, 00:19:40.640 --> 00:19:43.320 protected by Allah from any wrongdoing. 00:19:44.039 --> 00:19:46.000 And hence, Muslims actually have quite a difficult time 00:19:46.000 --> 00:19:47.320 with stories in the Bible, 00:19:47.440 --> 00:19:49.259 such as David's sin with Bathsheba. 00:19:49.600 --> 00:19:50.620 I've had Muslim friends say, 00:19:50.619 --> 00:19:52.379 look, there's proof the Bible's been corrupted 00:19:52.379 --> 00:19:55.079 because there's a story of David and Bathsheba 00:19:55.079 --> 00:19:56.399 and David as a prophet. 00:19:56.519 --> 00:19:58.319 How could he possibly have done that? 00:19:58.719 --> 00:20:00.399 Because they're reading it through that lens. 00:20:00.500 --> 00:20:02.199 And again, knowing that's what might be, 00:20:02.379 --> 00:20:04.819 could be going on in the head of your Muslim friend 00:20:04.819 --> 00:20:07.339 is helpful as you help them think about 00:20:07.339 --> 00:20:08.179 what the Bible says. 00:20:09.339 --> 00:20:11.399 Muslims also believe there is a line of prophets, 00:20:11.759 --> 00:20:13.559 beginning with Adam, who was the last prophet, 00:20:13.979 --> 00:20:15.219 and then ending with Muhammad, 00:20:15.339 --> 00:20:16.000 of the first prophet, 00:20:16.099 --> 00:20:16.959 and then ending with Muhammad, 00:20:17.379 --> 00:20:20.000 who was the last and the seal of the line of prophets. 00:20:20.000 --> 00:20:21.880 And among that long line of prophets, 00:20:22.279 --> 00:20:23.859 many mentioned in the Quran, 00:20:24.119 --> 00:20:25.779 you'll find many biblical prophets. 00:20:25.900 --> 00:20:27.839 The Quran mentions many biblical prophets, 00:20:27.960 --> 00:20:29.799 although often with Arabized names, 00:20:29.900 --> 00:20:32.500 people like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, 00:20:33.059 --> 00:20:34.599 David, and Jesus, and so on. 00:20:35.240 --> 00:20:36.039 And according to Islam, 00:20:36.140 --> 00:20:39.519 you see every prophet brought essentially the same message, 00:20:39.619 --> 00:20:40.980 the unity of God 00:20:40.980 --> 00:20:45.039 and a call to obedience and moral commands. 00:20:45.240 --> 00:20:46.420 And again, moral commands. 00:20:46.859 --> 00:20:49.140 Think of the last worldview question, 00:20:49.140 --> 00:20:50.040 what's the solution? 00:20:50.740 --> 00:20:52.640 Well, Islam would answer moral commands. 00:20:52.780 --> 00:20:54.300 Human beings need instruction, 00:20:54.720 --> 00:20:56.380 instruction, instruction. 00:20:57.320 --> 00:20:59.580 You know, Islam really is a moral self-improvement plan. 00:20:59.660 --> 00:21:00.320 And by contrast, 00:21:00.460 --> 00:21:02.880 Christianity is a heart transformation plan. 00:21:02.960 --> 00:21:05.340 And in the seventh chapter 00:21:05.340 --> 00:21:07.340 of how the Muslims and Christians worship the same God, 00:21:07.600 --> 00:21:09.320 again, I go into this in some detail, actually, 00:21:09.759 --> 00:21:12.520 and talk about the massive difference 00:21:12.520 --> 00:21:14.340 between Islam and Christianity here, 00:21:14.339 --> 00:21:16.699 because Islam just thinks we need advice. 00:21:17.339 --> 00:21:19.759 Christianity thinks we actually need a rescuer. 00:21:20.039 --> 00:21:21.339 And there's a massive, you know, 00:21:21.399 --> 00:21:24.000 world of difference between those two positions. 00:21:25.339 --> 00:21:27.119 And then we come to the fifth belief, 00:21:27.319 --> 00:21:29.299 belief of the classical Muslim creeds, 00:21:29.480 --> 00:21:30.199 the day of judgment. 00:21:30.859 --> 00:21:32.179 Muslims believe at the end of time 00:21:32.179 --> 00:21:34.519 that God will wrap up history, 00:21:34.980 --> 00:21:36.519 those who have died will be raised, 00:21:36.679 --> 00:21:38.379 and all will face judgment. 00:21:38.980 --> 00:21:40.980 And it's important to understand the major role 00:21:40.980 --> 00:21:42.640 that the day of judgment forms 00:21:42.640 --> 00:21:44.540 for many of our Muslim friends 00:21:44.540 --> 00:21:45.400 in the Islamic worldview. 00:21:45.540 --> 00:21:46.720 For many Muslims, you know, 00:21:46.760 --> 00:21:48.540 judgment is an ever-looming reality, 00:21:48.980 --> 00:21:50.200 and they are deeply concerned 00:21:50.200 --> 00:21:52.840 about not being found wanting on that day. 00:21:53.240 --> 00:21:54.360 You know, it's interesting, isn't it? 00:21:54.620 --> 00:21:56.300 You know, 100 or 200 years ago, 00:21:56.640 --> 00:21:57.560 there was a lot more preaching 00:21:57.560 --> 00:22:00.100 about judgment and hell in Christian churches. 00:22:00.240 --> 00:22:02.700 Today, a lot of churches have kind of ranged that in, 00:22:02.740 --> 00:22:03.380 and you don't kind of hear 00:22:03.380 --> 00:22:04.620 those kind of messages anymore. 00:22:04.760 --> 00:22:06.020 But boy, read the Quran, 00:22:06.340 --> 00:22:07.660 warnings of hellfire everywhere. 00:22:07.660 --> 00:22:09.540 Read, hear many Muslim sermons, 00:22:09.940 --> 00:22:10.720 hellfire everywhere. 00:22:10.820 --> 00:22:12.060 Muslims take this stuff seriously, 00:22:12.440 --> 00:22:13.620 and maybe we need to rethink 00:22:13.620 --> 00:22:15.779 about taking this stuff seriously too. 00:22:16.180 --> 00:22:17.500 I find it quite helpful something 00:22:17.500 --> 00:22:19.140 to say to Muslim friends as we discuss, 00:22:19.259 --> 00:22:21.279 look, you know, I, like you, I believe in hell. 00:22:21.360 --> 00:22:22.259 I don't want to go there, 00:22:22.560 --> 00:22:24.080 and I don't want you to go there. 00:22:24.360 --> 00:22:25.860 The reason I want to tell you about Jesus 00:22:25.860 --> 00:22:27.880 is I think he is the only way 00:22:27.880 --> 00:22:29.980 we can avoid spending an eternity 00:22:29.980 --> 00:22:30.940 separated from God, 00:22:30.980 --> 00:22:32.480 an eternity in the torments of hell. 00:22:32.519 --> 00:22:33.580 I don't want that for you. 00:22:33.779 --> 00:22:34.840 I would never use that approach 00:22:34.840 --> 00:22:35.759 for my atheist friends, 00:22:35.860 --> 00:22:37.220 but with my Muslim friends, 00:22:37.220 --> 00:22:38.759 it can immediately establish you 00:22:38.759 --> 00:22:39.839 as someone who takes 00:22:39.839 --> 00:22:41.860 these spiritual things seriously. 00:22:42.799 --> 00:22:43.740 Well, as I reflect 00:22:43.740 --> 00:22:45.519 on the four worldview questions, 00:22:45.660 --> 00:22:46.500 is there a God, 00:22:46.559 --> 00:22:47.500 and who is he like? 00:22:47.960 --> 00:22:48.660 You know, who are we? 00:22:48.740 --> 00:22:49.460 What's the problem? 00:22:50.000 --> 00:22:50.900 What's gone wrong with the world? 00:22:51.240 --> 00:22:52.160 And then lastly, 00:22:52.220 --> 00:22:52.960 what's the solution? 00:22:53.700 --> 00:22:54.839 And then I look at the differences 00:22:54.839 --> 00:22:56.600 that I've just so briefly shown you 00:22:56.600 --> 00:22:57.600 in the Islamic answer. 00:22:58.019 --> 00:22:59.160 You know, one of the biggest differences 00:22:59.160 --> 00:23:00.220 that I see in Islam 00:23:00.220 --> 00:23:01.519 is lack of hope. 00:23:02.000 --> 00:23:03.420 There is no hope in Islam. 00:23:03.420 --> 00:23:05.160 You know, Islam can't really offer, 00:23:05.220 --> 00:23:07.580 doesn't offer any promise of forgiveness. 00:23:07.940 --> 00:23:09.759 God might, if you take the initiative, 00:23:09.880 --> 00:23:10.880 he might show you favor. 00:23:11.240 --> 00:23:11.940 He might not. 00:23:12.759 --> 00:23:14.279 There's no indwelling power 00:23:14.279 --> 00:23:14.900 of the Holy Spirit 00:23:14.900 --> 00:23:16.279 to actually transform us. 00:23:16.620 --> 00:23:17.200 And ultimately, 00:23:17.200 --> 00:23:18.019 there's no savior 00:23:18.019 --> 00:23:19.460 who's come to rescue us. 00:23:19.500 --> 00:23:20.820 You are left on your own. 00:23:21.180 --> 00:23:22.600 And if your life is enough of a mess 00:23:22.600 --> 00:23:24.039 that you can't make it on your own, 00:23:24.200 --> 00:23:25.279 then you're in real trouble. 00:23:25.920 --> 00:23:27.160 And also, I often say 00:23:27.160 --> 00:23:27.920 to my Muslim friends, 00:23:28.279 --> 00:23:28.900 you know, ultimately, 00:23:29.060 --> 00:23:29.380 of course, 00:23:29.759 --> 00:23:31.539 moral commands can't save us. 00:23:31.539 --> 00:23:32.619 You know, most of us 00:23:32.619 --> 00:23:33.460 don't have a problem 00:23:33.460 --> 00:23:34.599 knowing the right thing to do. 00:23:34.680 --> 00:23:36.079 We know the right thing to do. 00:23:36.220 --> 00:23:38.019 What we lack is the power to do it. 00:23:38.639 --> 00:23:40.259 Islam doesn't help you over that. 00:23:40.359 --> 00:23:41.079 Islam simply says, 00:23:41.159 --> 00:23:41.879 you know, you're fools. 00:23:42.000 --> 00:23:43.220 You've messed this lot of commands up. 00:23:43.359 --> 00:23:43.920 Have some more. 00:23:44.200 --> 00:23:44.740 Try harder. 00:23:45.240 --> 00:23:45.960 Christianity says, 00:23:46.039 --> 00:23:46.639 no, actually, 00:23:47.039 --> 00:23:47.859 there is something broken 00:23:47.859 --> 00:23:49.180 in the very heart of human nature 00:23:49.180 --> 00:23:50.119 that needs more 00:23:50.119 --> 00:23:51.740 than just more instructions. 00:23:52.920 --> 00:23:54.079 Well, for all of that background, 00:23:54.680 --> 00:23:55.019 of course, 00:23:55.079 --> 00:23:55.779 Muslims present 00:23:55.779 --> 00:23:57.399 a particularly challenge 00:23:57.399 --> 00:23:58.000 to Christianity 00:23:58.000 --> 00:23:58.759 because, of course, 00:23:58.759 --> 00:24:01.879 they also take a pretty often 00:24:01.879 --> 00:24:03.339 quite highly polemical approach 00:24:03.339 --> 00:24:03.940 to Christianity. 00:24:04.180 --> 00:24:04.779 And this means that 00:24:04.779 --> 00:24:05.819 if you're going to share your faith 00:24:05.819 --> 00:24:07.220 or talk about your faith 00:24:07.220 --> 00:24:08.019 with a Muslim friend, 00:24:08.160 --> 00:24:08.900 neighbor, colleague, 00:24:08.960 --> 00:24:09.680 or classmate, 00:24:09.900 --> 00:24:12.000 it might just be worth knowing 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:13.279 some of the questions 00:24:13.279 --> 00:24:13.960 or objections 00:24:13.960 --> 00:24:15.200 that may be raised 00:24:15.200 --> 00:24:16.200 to your faith 00:24:16.200 --> 00:24:17.480 so you can respond. 00:24:17.579 --> 00:24:18.079 And as I said, 00:24:18.920 --> 00:24:20.559 there's a wonderful discipline 00:24:20.559 --> 00:24:22.180 with a long history 00:24:22.180 --> 00:24:22.720 in Christianity 00:24:22.720 --> 00:24:23.799 called apologetics. 00:24:24.339 --> 00:24:25.299 In recent years, 00:24:25.299 --> 00:24:25.980 that goes back 00:24:25.980 --> 00:24:26.779 through people like, 00:24:26.819 --> 00:24:27.000 you know, 00:24:27.099 --> 00:24:27.740 C.S. Lewis 00:24:27.740 --> 00:24:29.339 and Josh McDowell 00:24:29.339 --> 00:24:30.400 or Rebecca McLaughlin 00:24:30.400 --> 00:24:31.039 writing today. 00:24:31.140 --> 00:24:31.960 Many others have written 00:24:31.960 --> 00:24:32.559 in this area. 00:24:33.059 --> 00:24:33.620 And apologetics 00:24:33.620 --> 00:24:34.299 is simply a branch 00:24:34.299 --> 00:24:35.360 of Christian thought 00:24:35.360 --> 00:24:35.960 concerned with giving 00:24:35.960 --> 00:24:37.019 a reason for the hope 00:24:37.019 --> 00:24:38.099 that we have 00:24:38.099 --> 00:24:39.940 as 1 Peter 3.15 commands us. 00:24:40.160 --> 00:24:41.860 And I think in the multicultural age 00:24:41.860 --> 00:24:42.460 that we live in, 00:24:42.660 --> 00:24:43.380 every Christian 00:24:43.380 --> 00:24:44.480 needs to know a little bit 00:24:44.480 --> 00:24:45.240 about how they can 00:24:45.240 --> 00:24:46.319 defend their faith 00:24:46.319 --> 00:24:47.319 and persuade, 00:24:47.519 --> 00:24:48.779 give people a persuasive reason 00:24:48.779 --> 00:24:49.900 to follow Christ. 00:24:50.720 --> 00:24:51.579 But in terms of responding 00:24:51.579 --> 00:24:52.940 to the challenges of Islam, 00:24:52.940 --> 00:24:54.360 there are three areas 00:24:54.360 --> 00:24:56.220 that Muslim attacks 00:24:56.220 --> 00:24:57.059 against Christianity, 00:24:57.220 --> 00:24:58.140 Muslim polemics 00:24:58.140 --> 00:24:59.320 often focus on. 00:24:59.580 --> 00:25:00.240 Muslims will often 00:25:00.240 --> 00:25:01.299 talk about the Bible, 00:25:01.940 --> 00:25:02.420 they'll often talk 00:25:02.420 --> 00:25:03.019 about the Trinity, 00:25:03.160 --> 00:25:03.600 and they'll often talk 00:25:03.600 --> 00:25:04.559 about Christian history. 00:25:04.640 --> 00:25:04.900 And again, 00:25:04.940 --> 00:25:06.259 we can only just touch 00:25:06.259 --> 00:25:07.539 on these in our last 00:25:07.539 --> 00:25:08.400 10 minutes or so. 00:25:08.519 --> 00:25:09.340 But let me just give you 00:25:09.340 --> 00:25:10.019 a few highlights 00:25:10.019 --> 00:25:10.980 of what you might hear 00:25:10.980 --> 00:25:12.500 and a way you might respond. 00:25:12.759 --> 00:25:13.460 So in terms of the Bible, 00:25:13.759 --> 00:25:14.660 many Muslims believe 00:25:14.660 --> 00:25:15.960 the Bible has been corrupted. 00:25:16.779 --> 00:25:17.519 Now, interestingly, 00:25:17.680 --> 00:25:18.580 that was a polemic, 00:25:18.660 --> 00:25:19.220 an argument, 00:25:19.820 --> 00:25:21.120 that developed quite late 00:25:21.119 --> 00:25:23.559 in Islamic history. 00:25:23.679 --> 00:25:24.779 So the Quran's quite positive 00:25:24.779 --> 00:25:25.779 about the Bible. 00:25:26.199 --> 00:25:27.259 But as Muslims began 00:25:27.259 --> 00:25:28.219 to discover the Bible, 00:25:28.500 --> 00:25:29.819 when Muhammad was preaching, 00:25:29.919 --> 00:25:30.500 the Bible was not 00:25:30.500 --> 00:25:31.539 widely available in Arabic. 00:25:31.899 --> 00:25:32.799 He said that he was preaching 00:25:32.799 --> 00:25:33.479 the same message, 00:25:33.579 --> 00:25:34.379 nobody could check. 00:25:34.819 --> 00:25:36.119 But as Islam began expanding 00:25:36.119 --> 00:25:37.339 and building an empire 00:25:37.339 --> 00:25:38.419 after Muhammad's death, 00:25:38.619 --> 00:25:39.139 very quickly, 00:25:39.239 --> 00:25:40.079 Muslims began debating 00:25:40.079 --> 00:25:40.699 with Christians, 00:25:41.039 --> 00:25:42.019 they began reading the Bible, 00:25:42.359 --> 00:25:42.979 and they discovered 00:25:42.979 --> 00:25:43.879 horror of horrors 00:25:43.879 --> 00:25:44.639 that the Bible 00:25:44.639 --> 00:25:45.779 contradicted the Quran. 00:25:46.459 --> 00:25:47.299 And this posed 00:25:47.299 --> 00:25:48.739 a massive problem. 00:25:49.139 --> 00:25:49.659 Muhammad claimed 00:25:49.659 --> 00:25:50.559 to be a prophet 00:25:50.559 --> 00:25:51.579 like the biblical prophets, 00:25:52.059 --> 00:25:52.799 but his message 00:25:52.799 --> 00:25:54.259 was entirely different. 00:25:54.679 --> 00:25:55.619 So this really forced 00:25:55.619 --> 00:25:56.500 Muslim clerics 00:25:56.500 --> 00:25:57.220 in those first couple 00:25:57.220 --> 00:25:57.779 of centuries 00:25:57.779 --> 00:25:59.679 to a choice. 00:25:59.819 --> 00:26:00.579 Either they had to claim 00:26:00.579 --> 00:26:01.639 their prophet got it wrong, 00:26:01.980 --> 00:26:03.119 which is pretty much unthinkable, 00:26:03.500 --> 00:26:04.679 or they had to claim 00:26:04.679 --> 00:26:05.899 that Jews and Christians 00:26:05.899 --> 00:26:06.899 had corrupted the Bible, 00:26:07.179 --> 00:26:07.779 and that was the route 00:26:07.779 --> 00:26:08.259 they took. 00:26:08.559 --> 00:26:09.240 And it can be helpful 00:26:09.240 --> 00:26:10.099 for our Muslim friends 00:26:10.099 --> 00:26:10.839 to know the history 00:26:10.839 --> 00:26:11.679 behind this argument. 00:26:12.200 --> 00:26:13.119 Now, there are numerous ways 00:26:13.119 --> 00:26:15.679 to respond to Muslim attacks here, 00:26:15.740 --> 00:26:16.940 but I've sometimes found it helpful 00:26:16.940 --> 00:26:19.159 to address the theological problem 00:26:19.160 --> 00:26:20.640 this raises for Muslims. 00:26:20.960 --> 00:26:22.300 And it simply looks like this. 00:26:23.220 --> 00:26:24.180 What kind of God, 00:26:24.620 --> 00:26:25.720 I ask Muslim friends, 00:26:25.820 --> 00:26:26.680 would send books 00:26:26.680 --> 00:26:28.000 with all of his prophets 00:26:28.000 --> 00:26:28.860 from Adam 00:26:28.860 --> 00:26:30.240 through Moses 00:26:30.240 --> 00:26:31.120 and Abraham 00:26:31.120 --> 00:26:32.200 all the way down to Jesus, 00:26:32.660 --> 00:26:33.340 and would allow, 00:26:33.420 --> 00:26:34.100 what kind of God 00:26:34.100 --> 00:26:34.420 would allow 00:26:34.420 --> 00:26:36.600 every single one of those 00:26:36.600 --> 00:26:37.500 to get lost, 00:26:38.380 --> 00:26:39.000 destroyed, 00:26:39.600 --> 00:26:40.360 or corrupted, 00:26:40.779 --> 00:26:41.880 before finally that God, 00:26:42.000 --> 00:26:42.100 what, 00:26:42.160 --> 00:26:43.380 round about 610 AD, 00:26:43.500 --> 00:26:43.660 goes, 00:26:43.660 --> 00:26:44.580 oh gosh, 00:26:44.920 --> 00:26:45.040 you know, 00:26:45.080 --> 00:26:46.240 I wish I'd thought of this before, 00:26:46.660 --> 00:26:47.759 perhaps I need to send a book 00:26:47.759 --> 00:26:49.480 at last that's incorruptible, 00:26:49.620 --> 00:26:50.580 and he sends it 00:26:50.580 --> 00:26:52.380 there with Muhammad. 00:26:52.680 --> 00:26:53.200 And of course, 00:26:53.480 --> 00:26:54.140 even the Quran 00:26:54.140 --> 00:26:56.220 has textual variants 00:26:56.220 --> 00:26:57.259 in its manuscript tradition, 00:26:57.460 --> 00:26:58.000 so, you know, 00:26:58.019 --> 00:26:58.560 the debate about 00:26:58.560 --> 00:26:59.519 whether it's being preserved 00:26:59.519 --> 00:27:00.880 is a whole other issue. 00:27:01.160 --> 00:27:02.120 But what kind of God 00:27:02.120 --> 00:27:03.300 behaves that way? 00:27:03.620 --> 00:27:04.340 What kind of God 00:27:04.340 --> 00:27:05.880 literally can't protect 00:27:05.880 --> 00:27:06.640 his own word 00:27:06.640 --> 00:27:08.300 because he isn't powerful enough, 00:27:08.340 --> 00:27:09.279 or can't be bothered to 00:27:09.279 --> 00:27:10.200 because he doesn't care enough? 00:27:10.820 --> 00:27:11.440 And quite frankly, 00:27:11.440 --> 00:27:12.480 that's the kind of God 00:27:12.480 --> 00:27:13.559 who isn't competent 00:27:13.559 --> 00:27:14.660 to run a burger stand, 00:27:14.759 --> 00:27:15.360 quite frankly, 00:27:15.620 --> 00:27:16.680 let alone a universe. 00:27:17.180 --> 00:27:18.180 By contrast, 00:27:18.259 --> 00:27:18.840 the God of the Bible 00:27:18.840 --> 00:27:20.080 says that my word 00:27:20.080 --> 00:27:21.700 stands forever. 00:27:22.880 --> 00:27:23.220 Well, then, 00:27:23.259 --> 00:27:23.860 there's the Trinity. 00:27:24.920 --> 00:27:25.519 Muslims, of course, 00:27:25.559 --> 00:27:26.120 have a hard time 00:27:26.120 --> 00:27:26.600 with the Trinity 00:27:26.600 --> 00:27:27.600 because the Quran 00:27:27.600 --> 00:27:28.940 stresses the unity of God 00:27:28.940 --> 00:27:29.640 so frequently 00:27:29.640 --> 00:27:30.980 and so starkly, 00:27:31.000 --> 00:27:31.820 and so many Christians, 00:27:32.180 --> 00:27:32.799 many Muslims rather, 00:27:32.880 --> 00:27:33.680 tend to think that Christians 00:27:33.680 --> 00:27:35.480 actually believe in three gods 00:27:35.480 --> 00:27:36.420 that were basically 00:27:36.420 --> 00:27:37.620 polytheists. 00:27:37.779 --> 00:27:38.000 Now, 00:27:38.160 --> 00:27:39.240 there are so many ways 00:27:39.240 --> 00:27:40.100 you could respond here. 00:27:40.140 --> 00:27:41.400 There's some brilliant books 00:27:41.400 --> 00:27:42.019 that you can read 00:27:42.019 --> 00:27:42.680 to help you understand 00:27:42.680 --> 00:27:43.440 the Trinity better. 00:27:43.519 --> 00:27:44.620 My friend Mike Reeves 00:27:44.620 --> 00:27:45.960 has written a wonderful book 00:27:45.960 --> 00:27:47.240 called Delighting in the Trinity 00:27:47.240 --> 00:27:48.500 that's well worth a read. 00:27:49.660 --> 00:27:50.340 But again, 00:27:50.400 --> 00:27:51.300 the most helpful way 00:27:51.300 --> 00:27:51.960 initially, 00:27:52.580 --> 00:27:53.440 I find with Muslims here, 00:27:53.480 --> 00:27:54.380 is turn the question 00:27:54.380 --> 00:27:55.040 around a bit 00:27:55.040 --> 00:27:56.140 and to say to them, 00:27:56.220 --> 00:27:56.400 look, 00:27:57.440 --> 00:27:58.680 often Muslims ask the question, 00:27:58.860 --> 00:27:59.980 how can a man be God? 00:28:00.540 --> 00:28:01.140 But that's actually 00:28:01.140 --> 00:28:02.060 the wrong way around. 00:28:02.360 --> 00:28:03.660 Isn't it a better question 00:28:03.660 --> 00:28:04.380 to ask, 00:28:04.759 --> 00:28:05.780 could God 00:28:05.780 --> 00:28:07.360 take on human form 00:28:07.360 --> 00:28:08.759 if he wished to? 00:28:09.539 --> 00:28:09.759 Now, 00:28:09.980 --> 00:28:10.700 Muslims will often 00:28:10.700 --> 00:28:11.920 shy away from us 00:28:11.920 --> 00:28:12.480 saying God 00:28:12.480 --> 00:28:13.779 couldn't do this 00:28:13.779 --> 00:28:14.839 because they don't like 00:28:14.839 --> 00:28:15.859 to limit God that way. 00:28:16.200 --> 00:28:16.700 And once you've got 00:28:16.700 --> 00:28:17.259 to that point, 00:28:17.299 --> 00:28:17.599 you can say, 00:28:17.660 --> 00:28:17.720 well, 00:28:17.720 --> 00:28:17.879 okay, 00:28:17.940 --> 00:28:18.720 once we're agreed 00:28:18.720 --> 00:28:20.259 that God could do this 00:28:20.259 --> 00:28:21.940 should he wish to, 00:28:22.480 --> 00:28:23.700 then the question becomes, 00:28:23.859 --> 00:28:25.220 has God done this? 00:28:25.799 --> 00:28:26.779 And what a great invitation 00:28:26.779 --> 00:28:27.579 to take a long, 00:28:27.799 --> 00:28:28.660 hard look at the Gospels 00:28:28.660 --> 00:28:29.879 and the claims 00:28:29.879 --> 00:28:30.619 that Jesus made 00:28:30.619 --> 00:28:31.160 for himself. 00:28:32.220 --> 00:28:32.920 So there's the Bible, 00:28:33.039 --> 00:28:33.440 there's a Trinity. 00:28:33.759 --> 00:28:34.500 One last area 00:28:34.500 --> 00:28:35.019 where Muslims 00:28:35.019 --> 00:28:35.839 may sometimes 00:28:35.839 --> 00:28:36.839 raise some questions 00:28:36.839 --> 00:28:37.759 is the whole issue 00:28:37.759 --> 00:28:38.579 of history 00:28:38.579 --> 00:28:39.539 and particularly, 00:28:39.899 --> 00:28:40.119 you know, 00:28:40.159 --> 00:28:41.019 examples of Christians 00:28:41.019 --> 00:28:42.919 behaving badly in history. 00:28:43.099 --> 00:28:43.819 A common target 00:28:43.819 --> 00:28:44.959 is the Crusades 00:28:44.959 --> 00:28:46.220 or colonialism, 00:28:46.939 --> 00:28:47.119 you know, 00:28:47.139 --> 00:28:48.359 which has cast a long shadow 00:28:48.359 --> 00:28:49.980 really over Muslim-Christian 00:28:49.980 --> 00:28:50.500 relations. 00:28:50.639 --> 00:28:50.779 Now, 00:28:51.419 --> 00:28:52.399 when it comes to the Crusades, 00:28:52.439 --> 00:28:52.799 there are certainly 00:28:52.799 --> 00:28:54.519 many approaches 00:28:54.519 --> 00:28:55.500 that one can make, 00:28:55.720 --> 00:28:56.759 but I sometimes find it helpful 00:28:56.759 --> 00:28:58.459 to just take this approach 00:28:58.459 --> 00:28:59.179 really because it's 00:28:59.179 --> 00:29:00.059 so Jesus-centered. 00:29:00.179 --> 00:29:01.199 You can say to a Muslim friend, 00:29:01.259 --> 00:29:01.459 look, 00:29:01.799 --> 00:29:03.799 if a Christian commits violence, 00:29:04.259 --> 00:29:04.819 it's very simple, 00:29:05.339 --> 00:29:06.459 they're disobeying Jesus. 00:29:06.460 --> 00:29:07.860 You can point them 00:29:07.860 --> 00:29:09.259 to the words of Jesus 00:29:09.259 --> 00:29:09.640 who said, 00:29:10.259 --> 00:29:10.980 love your enemies 00:29:10.980 --> 00:29:12.620 and pray for those 00:29:12.620 --> 00:29:13.640 who persecute you. 00:29:14.360 --> 00:29:14.900 And then you say, 00:29:14.980 --> 00:29:15.360 tell me, 00:29:15.759 --> 00:29:18.600 when a Muslim commits violence 00:29:18.600 --> 00:29:20.480 in the name of Islam, 00:29:21.380 --> 00:29:22.980 what words of Muhammad 00:29:22.980 --> 00:29:24.620 would you point them to 00:29:24.620 --> 00:29:25.160 as a critique? 00:29:25.299 --> 00:29:25.860 Can you show me 00:29:25.860 --> 00:29:26.819 where Muhammad said, 00:29:27.340 --> 00:29:28.000 love your enemies 00:29:28.000 --> 00:29:28.759 and pray for those 00:29:28.759 --> 00:29:29.400 who persecute you? 00:29:29.420 --> 00:29:29.940 And you simply, 00:29:30.059 --> 00:29:30.740 you can't 00:29:30.740 --> 00:29:32.480 because Muhammad 00:29:32.480 --> 00:29:34.180 was a military leader. 00:29:34.180 --> 00:29:35.160 He was a warlord 00:29:35.160 --> 00:29:36.799 as well as a founder 00:29:36.799 --> 00:29:37.620 of a world religion. 00:29:38.539 --> 00:29:39.080 And then thirdly, 00:29:39.140 --> 00:29:39.380 of course, 00:29:39.759 --> 00:29:40.320 most Christians 00:29:40.320 --> 00:29:41.240 would condemn 00:29:41.240 --> 00:29:42.360 the bloodshed 00:29:42.360 --> 00:29:43.100 of the Crusades, 00:29:43.200 --> 00:29:44.140 where I have not yet 00:29:44.140 --> 00:29:45.560 found any mainstream writer 00:29:45.560 --> 00:29:46.519 who has condemned 00:29:46.519 --> 00:29:47.519 the military expansion 00:29:47.519 --> 00:29:48.560 Islam engaged in 00:29:48.560 --> 00:29:49.920 in its first few centuries. 00:29:50.279 --> 00:29:50.920 And this applies 00:29:50.920 --> 00:29:51.880 to colonialism too, 00:29:51.940 --> 00:29:52.120 actually. 00:29:52.180 --> 00:29:53.560 We hear a lot of critique today 00:29:53.560 --> 00:29:54.940 of the colonial period 00:29:54.940 --> 00:29:55.700 in British history, 00:29:55.820 --> 00:29:56.920 and many of those critiques 00:29:56.920 --> 00:29:57.920 are fair enough, 00:29:58.279 --> 00:29:59.519 but we don't often hear 00:29:59.519 --> 00:30:01.680 that every other civilization 00:30:01.680 --> 00:30:02.860 built great empires 00:30:02.860 --> 00:30:04.460 and Islam had a great empire. 00:30:04.620 --> 00:30:05.980 Islam conquered North Africa. 00:30:06.140 --> 00:30:07.160 Islam conquered Spain. 00:30:07.299 --> 00:30:08.460 Islam conquered much of Asia. 00:30:09.080 --> 00:30:09.519 And today, 00:30:09.620 --> 00:30:10.900 many Muslims are taught 00:30:10.900 --> 00:30:11.940 that was the golden period 00:30:11.940 --> 00:30:12.380 of Islam. 00:30:12.720 --> 00:30:13.440 They don't engage 00:30:13.440 --> 00:30:15.080 in a reflective critique 00:30:15.080 --> 00:30:17.019 of their own tradition. 00:30:17.360 --> 00:30:17.480 You know, 00:30:17.500 --> 00:30:18.460 look along North Africa. 00:30:18.580 --> 00:30:19.680 Why is a country like Morocco 00:30:19.680 --> 00:30:20.980 that I've been to many times, 00:30:21.200 --> 00:30:22.259 why is that a Muslim country? 00:30:22.560 --> 00:30:23.640 Why are the Burba people, 00:30:23.720 --> 00:30:25.080 the original people 00:30:25.080 --> 00:30:25.700 in that country, 00:30:25.820 --> 00:30:26.440 forced to, you know, 00:30:26.660 --> 00:30:27.340 living in small, 00:30:27.480 --> 00:30:28.140 scattered communities 00:30:28.140 --> 00:30:28.740 up in the mountains? 00:30:29.240 --> 00:30:29.960 Because it was conquered 00:30:29.960 --> 00:30:30.600 by Islam. 00:30:30.599 --> 00:30:32.339 In the centuries 00:30:32.339 --> 00:30:33.099 following Muhammad 00:30:33.099 --> 00:30:34.599 and Islam has never 00:30:34.599 --> 00:30:35.480 really come to terms 00:30:35.480 --> 00:30:37.159 with its colonial past. 00:30:37.439 --> 00:30:38.019 I think we can raise 00:30:38.019 --> 00:30:38.859 those kind of questions, 00:30:39.219 --> 00:30:40.219 but do so not to score 00:30:40.219 --> 00:30:40.959 political points, 00:30:41.439 --> 00:30:42.759 but to bring it back to Jesus. 00:30:43.699 --> 00:30:44.319 On which note, 00:30:44.779 --> 00:30:45.299 that brings me 00:30:45.299 --> 00:30:46.740 to my final section 00:30:46.740 --> 00:30:47.740 in my last five minutes 00:30:47.740 --> 00:30:49.459 with you in this talk. 00:30:49.480 --> 00:30:50.099 And I want to think 00:30:50.099 --> 00:30:50.679 a little bit about 00:30:50.679 --> 00:30:52.299 some principles for evangelism. 00:30:52.579 --> 00:30:53.619 Because as we engage 00:30:53.619 --> 00:30:54.139 with Muslims, 00:30:54.519 --> 00:30:55.179 we don't just want 00:30:55.179 --> 00:30:55.759 to build friendships. 00:30:56.359 --> 00:30:57.079 We don't just want 00:30:57.079 --> 00:30:58.119 to learn more 00:30:58.119 --> 00:30:59.259 about what our Muslim friends believe. 00:30:59.339 --> 00:31:00.039 And we certainly don't 00:31:00.039 --> 00:31:00.659 want to just try 00:31:00.659 --> 00:31:01.319 and score points 00:31:01.319 --> 00:31:01.879 and arguments. 00:31:02.139 --> 00:31:02.940 But we want to point 00:31:02.940 --> 00:31:03.639 people to Jesus. 00:31:03.720 --> 00:31:04.359 How do we do this? 00:31:04.440 --> 00:31:05.420 Well, let me share with you 00:31:05.420 --> 00:31:06.619 very simply 00:31:06.619 --> 00:31:09.379 four very brief principles 00:31:09.379 --> 00:31:11.299 for reaching Muslims. 00:31:11.700 --> 00:31:12.639 And the first is straightforward. 00:31:13.059 --> 00:31:14.019 Go where Muslims are. 00:31:14.460 --> 00:31:14.720 You know, 00:31:14.779 --> 00:31:16.639 we live in a multicultural society 00:31:16.639 --> 00:31:17.659 where many of us 00:31:17.659 --> 00:31:18.379 may have Muslim 00:31:18.379 --> 00:31:19.139 neighbours, 00:31:19.680 --> 00:31:20.579 Muslim colleagues, 00:31:20.980 --> 00:31:22.139 fellow students at school 00:31:22.139 --> 00:31:22.899 if you're a student. 00:31:23.440 --> 00:31:24.420 And so meeting Muslims 00:31:24.420 --> 00:31:25.639 is not difficult for us, 00:31:25.700 --> 00:31:26.579 but we can still live 00:31:26.579 --> 00:31:27.599 quite separate lives. 00:31:27.599 --> 00:31:29.259 So my encouragement to you, 00:31:30.199 --> 00:31:31.199 if you have Muslim neighbours 00:31:31.199 --> 00:31:31.919 in your community, 00:31:32.039 --> 00:31:32.419 if there are Muslims 00:31:32.419 --> 00:31:33.459 you meet at the school gate, 00:31:33.539 --> 00:31:34.119 if you're a parent, 00:31:34.259 --> 00:31:35.099 if there are Muslim students 00:31:35.099 --> 00:31:36.659 at school or university, 00:31:36.779 --> 00:31:37.879 Muslim colleagues at work, 00:31:38.539 --> 00:31:39.419 find an opportunity 00:31:39.419 --> 00:31:40.899 to introduce yourself. 00:31:41.179 --> 00:31:42.179 Be proactive 00:31:42.179 --> 00:31:44.119 in making friends 00:31:44.119 --> 00:31:44.699 with them. 00:31:44.759 --> 00:31:45.539 Take your opportunity 00:31:45.539 --> 00:31:46.219 the day you can. 00:31:46.279 --> 00:31:46.839 Don't wait for them 00:31:46.839 --> 00:31:47.519 to come to you. 00:31:48.059 --> 00:31:49.159 Go to them. 00:31:49.639 --> 00:31:50.480 Secondly, friendship. 00:31:50.599 --> 00:31:51.899 Any evangelism we engage in 00:31:51.899 --> 00:31:52.399 should be seeking 00:31:52.399 --> 00:31:53.799 to build long-term relationships, 00:31:53.799 --> 00:31:54.579 not just perform 00:31:54.579 --> 00:31:55.939 hit-and-run operations 00:31:55.940 --> 00:31:56.519 with the gospel. 00:31:56.940 --> 00:31:58.000 And this is especially true 00:31:58.000 --> 00:31:59.279 when it comes to Muslims 00:31:59.279 --> 00:32:00.299 because for a whole range 00:32:00.299 --> 00:32:00.779 of reasons, 00:32:01.140 --> 00:32:01.860 Muslims can often be 00:32:01.860 --> 00:32:02.460 quite suspicious 00:32:02.460 --> 00:32:03.220 of Christianity 00:32:03.220 --> 00:32:04.380 and there can be 00:32:04.380 --> 00:32:05.720 long and ancient prejudices. 00:32:06.680 --> 00:32:07.360 Hospitality too 00:32:07.360 --> 00:32:08.799 is an important virtue 00:32:08.799 --> 00:32:09.620 in Muslim culture 00:32:09.620 --> 00:32:10.660 as a way of building 00:32:10.660 --> 00:32:11.380 deep friendships. 00:32:11.620 --> 00:32:12.400 And it's in the context 00:32:12.400 --> 00:32:13.240 of deep friendships 00:32:13.240 --> 00:32:14.680 that Muslims can see 00:32:14.680 --> 00:32:16.019 the gospel lived out 00:32:16.019 --> 00:32:16.440 and the difference 00:32:16.440 --> 00:32:17.980 Jesus makes day to day. 00:32:18.080 --> 00:32:18.960 So prayerfully 00:32:18.960 --> 00:32:19.660 and practically 00:32:19.660 --> 00:32:21.000 seek to make friends 00:32:21.000 --> 00:32:22.120 with the Muslims 00:32:22.120 --> 00:32:23.059 that you come across 00:32:23.059 --> 00:32:24.559 and invest time 00:32:24.559 --> 00:32:25.159 into them. 00:32:25.879 --> 00:32:26.940 Thirdly, ask challenging 00:32:26.940 --> 00:32:28.079 questions. 00:32:28.619 --> 00:32:29.579 Questions are a great 00:32:29.579 --> 00:32:30.460 evangelistic tool. 00:32:30.559 --> 00:32:31.659 Jesus used them all the time. 00:32:32.019 --> 00:32:33.200 But learn to ask good questions. 00:32:33.279 --> 00:32:34.200 Ask questions about Muhammad 00:32:34.200 --> 00:32:34.679 and the Quran. 00:32:34.759 --> 00:32:35.480 As you read stuff 00:32:35.480 --> 00:32:36.099 and study stuff 00:32:36.099 --> 00:32:37.079 and you come across issues, 00:32:37.559 --> 00:32:39.220 raise those kind of questions. 00:32:39.339 --> 00:32:40.440 Most Muslims have probably 00:32:40.440 --> 00:32:41.619 never heard tough questions 00:32:41.619 --> 00:32:42.960 about what they believe. 00:32:43.000 --> 00:32:43.759 And you can do this 00:32:43.759 --> 00:32:44.339 without being, 00:32:44.399 --> 00:32:45.619 you know, insulting. 00:32:45.799 --> 00:32:46.740 You don't need to deliberately 00:32:46.740 --> 00:32:47.740 insult Muhammad 00:32:47.740 --> 00:32:48.919 or the Quran. 00:32:49.200 --> 00:32:50.619 But you can still ask things 00:32:50.619 --> 00:32:51.339 like, well, I was reading 00:32:51.339 --> 00:32:52.559 the Quran and I, you know, 00:32:52.579 --> 00:32:53.919 came across what to me 00:32:53.919 --> 00:32:54.759 looked like a contradiction. 00:32:55.240 --> 00:32:55.839 Or you could say, 00:32:55.899 --> 00:32:56.599 what about Muhammad's 00:32:56.599 --> 00:32:58.220 many battles, you know, 00:32:58.259 --> 00:32:58.980 today when we need 00:32:58.980 --> 00:33:00.399 a paradigm for peace? 00:33:00.859 --> 00:33:01.899 What's going on there? 00:33:02.179 --> 00:33:02.779 And so on. 00:33:02.899 --> 00:33:04.039 And if you ask those questions 00:33:04.039 --> 00:33:04.939 in the context 00:33:04.939 --> 00:33:05.819 of a friendship, 00:33:06.539 --> 00:33:07.699 you are far less likely 00:33:07.699 --> 00:33:08.419 to cause offence 00:33:08.419 --> 00:33:10.059 and you open up 00:33:10.059 --> 00:33:11.279 the invitation for questions 00:33:11.279 --> 00:33:12.079 to be asked back. 00:33:12.159 --> 00:33:13.399 I've often said to Muslims 00:33:13.399 --> 00:33:14.579 when I've had conversations 00:33:14.579 --> 00:33:15.319 with them, look, 00:33:15.619 --> 00:33:16.500 there is no question 00:33:16.500 --> 00:33:17.279 that you can ask me 00:33:17.279 --> 00:33:17.919 about Christianity 00:33:17.919 --> 00:33:19.480 that I'll be offended by. 00:33:19.819 --> 00:33:20.339 And don't be afraid 00:33:20.339 --> 00:33:21.079 of the questions either. 00:33:21.339 --> 00:33:21.980 If a Muslim friend 00:33:21.980 --> 00:33:22.959 asks you a question 00:33:22.959 --> 00:33:23.619 you don't know, 00:33:23.759 --> 00:33:24.259 just say, you know, 00:33:24.279 --> 00:33:25.039 that's a great question. 00:33:25.259 --> 00:33:25.959 I don't immediately 00:33:25.959 --> 00:33:26.740 have the answer to that. 00:33:26.799 --> 00:33:27.720 Let me get back to you. 00:33:28.419 --> 00:33:29.679 And either go and, you know, 00:33:29.699 --> 00:33:30.579 do an internet search, 00:33:30.679 --> 00:33:31.079 read a book, 00:33:31.159 --> 00:33:31.859 or, you know, 00:33:31.859 --> 00:33:32.659 talk to a pastor 00:33:32.659 --> 00:33:34.220 or older Christian leader 00:33:34.220 --> 00:33:35.799 who can help you 00:33:35.799 --> 00:33:36.519 get the answer 00:33:36.519 --> 00:33:37.259 to the question 00:33:37.259 --> 00:33:37.959 your Muslim friend 00:33:37.959 --> 00:33:38.419 has asked. 00:33:38.519 --> 00:33:39.740 And then, fourthly, 00:33:39.939 --> 00:33:40.919 you can go where Muslims are, 00:33:41.299 --> 00:33:41.720 friendship, 00:33:42.159 --> 00:33:42.980 challenging questions. 00:33:43.379 --> 00:33:44.279 Lastly, keep centred 00:33:44.279 --> 00:33:45.299 on Jesus. 00:33:45.819 --> 00:33:47.099 Now, I cannot stress enough 00:33:47.099 --> 00:33:48.619 how sharing your faith 00:33:48.619 --> 00:33:50.000 with a Muslim friend 00:33:50.000 --> 00:33:50.759 or neighbour or colleague 00:33:50.759 --> 00:33:52.380 is not about winning arguments. 00:33:52.619 --> 00:33:53.119 It's very easy 00:33:53.119 --> 00:33:54.000 to get into arguments 00:33:54.000 --> 00:33:54.539 because Muslims 00:33:54.539 --> 00:33:55.680 can be passionate people, 00:33:56.200 --> 00:33:56.839 but it's about 00:33:56.839 --> 00:33:58.019 introducing them to Jesus. 00:33:58.539 --> 00:33:58.700 You know, 00:33:58.759 --> 00:33:59.400 all the Muslims 00:33:59.400 --> 00:34:00.119 I have known 00:34:00.119 --> 00:34:01.299 who have come to faith 00:34:01.299 --> 00:34:02.079 in Christ 00:34:02.079 --> 00:34:03.160 have done so 00:34:03.160 --> 00:34:04.019 when they've encountered 00:34:04.019 --> 00:34:06.640 Jesus for the first time. 00:34:06.640 --> 00:34:07.660 and they've grasped 00:34:07.660 --> 00:34:09.460 who he really, really is. 00:34:09.539 --> 00:34:09.700 In fact, 00:34:09.720 --> 00:34:11.019 one of the most powerful testimonies 00:34:11.019 --> 00:34:11.860 I know of a Muslim 00:34:11.860 --> 00:34:12.579 who's come to faith 00:34:12.579 --> 00:34:13.900 in Christ in recent years 00:34:13.900 --> 00:34:15.140 was written by my friend 00:34:15.140 --> 00:34:16.200 Nabil Qureshi 00:34:16.200 --> 00:34:17.400 and it's a book called 00:34:17.400 --> 00:34:18.200 Seeking Allah, 00:34:18.559 --> 00:34:19.340 Finding Jesus. 00:34:19.539 --> 00:34:20.480 It's linked, actually, 00:34:20.519 --> 00:34:21.700 on the webpage of resources 00:34:21.700 --> 00:34:23.059 that we've put together 00:34:23.059 --> 00:34:24.000 for you 00:34:24.000 --> 00:34:25.039 and I'll put that URL up 00:34:25.039 --> 00:34:26.180 in a minute at the end. 00:34:26.619 --> 00:34:27.340 Do check it out 00:34:27.340 --> 00:34:27.920 because, again, 00:34:28.019 --> 00:34:29.140 at the heart of it is Jesus. 00:34:29.260 --> 00:34:30.400 When Muslims discover 00:34:30.400 --> 00:34:31.180 who Jesus really is, 00:34:31.200 --> 00:34:32.539 they'll take spiritual steps forward. 00:34:33.000 --> 00:34:33.460 And so, therefore, 00:34:33.559 --> 00:34:34.260 I would recommend 00:34:34.260 --> 00:34:35.300 when talking with a Muslim 00:34:35.300 --> 00:34:37.039 that you always bring it back 00:34:37.039 --> 00:34:37.840 to Jesus, 00:34:37.920 --> 00:34:39.160 whether it's comparing him 00:34:39.160 --> 00:34:40.000 and Muhammad, 00:34:40.460 --> 00:34:41.000 whether it's talking about 00:34:41.000 --> 00:34:41.920 what he's done in your life 00:34:41.920 --> 00:34:42.620 or what he was like, 00:34:42.660 --> 00:34:43.560 what the Bible says about him, 00:34:43.880 --> 00:34:45.700 keep it Jesus-focused. 00:34:45.860 --> 00:34:46.760 And my prayer is that 00:34:46.760 --> 00:34:47.640 as you do that, 00:34:48.000 --> 00:34:49.240 that God will use you 00:34:49.240 --> 00:34:50.440 through those friendships 00:34:50.440 --> 00:34:52.780 to bring many Muslims 00:34:52.780 --> 00:34:54.500 to discover who Jesus is 00:34:54.500 --> 00:34:55.380 for themselves. 00:34:55.800 --> 00:34:56.420 On which note, 00:34:56.860 --> 00:34:57.860 let me pray for you. 00:34:58.680 --> 00:34:59.260 Father God, 00:34:59.300 --> 00:35:00.180 thank you for the opportunity 00:35:00.180 --> 00:35:01.380 we've had to just think 00:35:01.380 --> 00:35:02.580 about this massive topic 00:35:02.580 --> 00:35:03.220 of how we reach 00:35:03.220 --> 00:35:04.220 and understand 00:35:04.219 --> 00:35:05.439 our Muslim friends. 00:35:05.559 --> 00:35:07.739 And I pray for my friends 00:35:07.739 --> 00:35:08.799 who've been watching this 00:35:08.799 --> 00:35:10.159 that it would really 00:35:10.159 --> 00:35:11.000 have sunk deeply, 00:35:11.079 --> 00:35:11.779 there'll be things here 00:35:11.779 --> 00:35:12.899 that will be helpful to them. 00:35:13.079 --> 00:35:13.919 But I especially pray 00:35:13.919 --> 00:35:15.199 for boldness and confidence 00:35:15.199 --> 00:35:16.500 that you would help them 00:35:16.500 --> 00:35:17.899 reach out at work, 00:35:18.339 --> 00:35:19.099 at the school gate, 00:35:19.480 --> 00:35:20.679 at school or university 00:35:20.679 --> 00:35:21.179 in the neighbourhood. 00:35:21.359 --> 00:35:21.879 Bring Muslims 00:35:21.879 --> 00:35:22.659 across their path, 00:35:22.739 --> 00:35:23.139 I pray, 00:35:23.500 --> 00:35:24.339 and give them boldness 00:35:24.339 --> 00:35:25.259 to build friendships, 00:35:25.459 --> 00:35:26.500 a heart of compassion, 00:35:27.039 --> 00:35:28.359 to just use hospitality 00:35:28.359 --> 00:35:29.159 and other ways 00:35:29.159 --> 00:35:30.399 to build bridges to them, 00:35:30.719 --> 00:35:31.599 and just the confidence 00:35:31.599 --> 00:35:32.480 and the compassion 00:35:32.480 --> 00:35:33.960 to share who Jesus is 00:35:33.960 --> 00:35:34.420 with them. 00:35:34.699 --> 00:35:35.360 Lord, we thank you 00:35:35.360 --> 00:35:36.400 for the work that you're doing 00:35:36.400 --> 00:35:37.019 among Muslims, 00:35:37.119 --> 00:35:37.960 both here in the UK 00:35:37.960 --> 00:35:39.259 and around the world. 00:35:39.319 --> 00:35:40.940 And I pray that through 00:35:40.940 --> 00:35:42.279 some of those 00:35:42.279 --> 00:35:43.259 who are watching this, 00:35:43.599 --> 00:35:44.659 they would have the privilege 00:35:44.659 --> 00:35:45.599 of seeing you work 00:35:45.599 --> 00:35:46.420 in the lives 00:35:46.420 --> 00:35:47.940 of their Muslim friends too. 00:35:48.319 --> 00:35:48.860 We ask this 00:35:48.860 --> 00:35:49.519 in the name of Jesus. 00:35:50.079 --> 00:35:50.400 Amen. 00:35:51.460 --> 00:35:51.920 Well, there, 00:35:52.039 --> 00:35:52.599 as we close, 00:35:52.699 --> 00:35:53.699 thank you for listening. 00:35:53.799 --> 00:35:54.679 I hope you found this helpful. 00:35:55.119 --> 00:35:55.699 There, as we close, 00:35:55.759 --> 00:35:56.920 is the resource slide. 00:35:57.000 --> 00:35:57.639 One last time, 00:35:57.699 --> 00:35:58.039 do go to 00:35:58.039 --> 00:35:59.380 solas-cpc. 00:35:59.460 --> 00:35:59.759 That's the 00:35:59.759 --> 00:36:01.960 Solas for Centre for Public Christianity 00:36:01.960 --> 00:36:03.259 for whom I work. 00:36:03.360 --> 00:36:04.860 solas-cpc.org 00:36:04.860 --> 00:36:05.779 forward slash Islam. 00:36:06.099 --> 00:36:07.539 You can download the slides 00:36:07.539 --> 00:36:08.800 from this talk 00:36:08.800 --> 00:36:09.800 and go through them again 00:36:09.800 --> 00:36:10.980 at your own speed. 00:36:11.239 --> 00:36:12.179 There's the free e-book, 00:36:12.559 --> 00:36:13.440 Islam in Context, 00:36:13.500 --> 00:36:14.779 that I co-wrote with a friend. 00:36:15.119 --> 00:36:16.519 And then there's my new book, 00:36:16.579 --> 00:36:17.380 The Muslims and Christians 00:36:17.380 --> 00:36:18.619 Worship the Same Gods. 00:36:18.659 --> 00:36:19.739 You can read the first chapter 00:36:19.739 --> 00:36:20.619 of that or listen to it 00:36:20.619 --> 00:36:21.480 if you prefer an audio book 00:36:21.480 --> 00:36:22.340 free of charge online. 00:36:22.480 --> 00:36:22.880 Check it out. 00:36:23.219 --> 00:36:23.719 And if it's helpful, 00:36:23.820 --> 00:36:24.159 there are links 00:36:24.159 --> 00:36:25.159 to lots of different places 00:36:25.159 --> 00:36:26.279 you can get hold of it. 00:36:26.579 --> 00:36:27.139 And once again, 00:36:27.139 --> 00:36:28.619 thank you for watching 00:36:28.619 --> 00:36:30.619 and I hope you found this helpful 00:36:30.619 --> 00:36:32.819 and a real resource 00:36:32.819 --> 00:36:34.239 in terms of how you can reach Muslims 00:36:34.239 --> 00:36:35.259 that the Lord brings 00:36:35.259 --> 00:36:35.980 across your path. 00:36:36.219 --> 00:36:36.719 Thanks again 00:36:36.719 --> 00:36:37.639 and goodbye.