Comments on: Allah is God. Round 2.

By: Vicki

Vicki — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 16:00:54 +0000

yes, they do. the Qu’ran calls Christians and Jews “people of the book” and separates them from the “infidels” who do not believe in God

By: Wolfgang Fernandez

Wolfgang Fernandez — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 06:23:40 +0000

Carl, I think that this issue is a problem to those who do not speak a second language and thus can only think mono-linguistically and to those who are have a very small view of the creator of the universe. Thanks for your clear and yet simple response!

By: Rick Wadholm Jr

Rick Wadholm Jr — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 20:14:58 +0000

Another great post Carl! Thanks!!!

By: Robin

Robin — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 19:13:35 +0000

Wonderful.

By: Wesley

Wesley — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 19:10:39 +0000

Carl -
i’m with you on what you’re saying here for the most part. We are not seeking to win an argument or indoctrinate a particular ideology, but to reveal Jesus through our lives and words. The language issue is, for sure, a complex one and one we need to address in how we contextualize a timeless message. But i think that also must be considered in the light of what the Bible says about our message viz. it is “foolishness to those who are perishing”, the stench of death”, etc. Many will simply not accept the message b/c their eyes and ears have not been opened to hear it so that even the clearest presentation of the gospel will not be accepted. The danger i see then, is that we change the message so people accept it (which in my view includes telling Muslims we all follow the same God and believe Jesus is the same thing). God doesn’t need our help to convince people – Pauls letter to Timothy reminds us that “the Lord knows who are His own”, Our job is simply to proclaim and live the truth of God’s word (surely in a compassionate, winsome way) and leave the results up to the Holy Spirit.

By: Carl Medearis

Carl Medearis — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 18:27:58 +0000

Remember – my point in most of these blogs is to get us to think. Secondly it’s to help us see how we come across to people who don’t know God in a personal way. Thirdly it’s to help us clear up our fuzzy and confusing language. We have to be saying what is true but doing so in a way that people can hear. Actually hear. We have GOOD NEWS for sinners and people who are lost. If it doesn’t come across as good news, then it may be the way we’re presenting it.

This is NOT an academic exercise. It’s life and death. It’s about our attitudes. When we engage another person from outside our tradition and we begin with the thought – they’re wrong and I’m right – it then leads everything we say. So…we might, in fact, be right – but a humble attitude and loving spirit that points to Jesus as the One who was/is right – will win the day. 100% of the time. Not my clever arguments.

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 17:05:11 +0000

Wesley, taking the last sentence alone leaves all sorts of room for interpretation that does not exist when you take the last sentence in context with the entire post. Carl’s point is clearly that those who do not intimately know the one true God, by nature, can only pray or acknowledge a false god. And yet, the omniscient one true God hears and knows their prayers. If He is earnestly desiring his prodigal children to return, that He hears them and loves them while they are yet still sinners.

Looking back on your own conversion (I assume) can you see that Jesus pursued you even when you did not know Him? If He loved you when you were an unrepentant sinner, does He not love Muslims too?

By: Wesley

Wesley — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 06:16:52 +0000

I’m sorry but this just seems silly. “There is really no good reason for us to insist that Muslims believe in a different God! There’s only One.” That is not even coherent! Of course there is onyl one but that doesn’t (all by its lonesome) make the point that He is who Muslims believe in! And sure the real God hears their prayers b/c He’s omnipresent but that doesn’t mean they’re praying to Him – if i’m talking to you and asking for help and a cop hears our conversation and helps me, that doesn’t mean i was talking to him!?!
I dunno Carl – i love your heart for Muslim people and your desire to see them know and be known by Jesus, but i think your pushing too hard and building a house that’s gonna collapse on itself. Rememeber, “unless the Lord builds the house …” Finally, remember too, we learn from Rom. 8 (amounf many other places) we don’t call out to God, He calls out to us! As Augustine put it, “the grace of God does not find, it makes persons fit to be chosen.” God’s peace and blessing be on your ministry.

By: Carl Medearis

Carl Medearis — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 02:11:56 +0000

Lukas. I don’t use the Camel approach but it’s great.

By: Lukas Fukumoto

Lukas Fukumoto — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 01:51:31 +0000

Carl,

I read a book that talks about this a bit. It’s called “The Camel: How Muslims are Coming to Faith in Christ!” by Kevin Greeson. Have you read it? Do you have any comment on this method?