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Camel Method to Present Gospel Blasted

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by Marcia, Feb 18, 2010.

  1. Marcia

    Marcia Active Member

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    This is from the Associated Baptist Press but it's not a news story, so I posted it here since it brings up theology and the way to present the gospel. And since it's somewhat controversial and debateable, I didn't want to put it in the Missions forum, because that's a Fellowship forum.

    Source
    http://www.abpnews.com/content/view/4830/53/

    Thoughts?
     
  2. JMSR

    JMSR New Member

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    Seems to me that instead of offering the truth, it gives credence to their religion. It just adds to it. Isn't our job to present the gospel?
     
  3. Jerome

    Jerome Well-Known Member
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    Didn't Paul employ the Greek's "unknown god" concept?
     
  4. Bob Alkire

    Bob Alkire New Member

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    Yes he did.
     
  5. Steven2006

    Steven2006 New Member

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    I have never heard of this, and know nothing about it. My initial thoughts an questions when first reading this were these.

    1) It wouldn't be for me, and it doesn't sound right.

    2) I am curious, what are the fruits? Have many been truly saved this way?

    3) The verse Phil 1:18 "What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice,"
     
  6. Marcia

    Marcia Active Member

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    I am afraid that it might be hard to judge who is a true convert and who is not when you have syncretism going on. That's one of the dangers of a method like this. I myself think this is syncretism and agree with Caner.
     
  7. Marcia

    Marcia Active Member

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    Yes, but he didn't use it this way. He used it a platform to discuss the true God and gave a gospel that was totally different from what his audience believed. He even condemned idol worship (17:29), and some there even "sneered" (v. 32) at what he said.

    It seems from the article says, the Camel Method attempts to match Jesus to someone from Islamic beliefs and from the Koran.
     
  8. matt wade

    matt wade Well-Known Member

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    This is nothing like Paul and unknown God.

    Here's a tract from the web site about this "method", judge for yourself:

    http://www.camelmethod.com/downloads/Ruhullah_English_eBook.pdf

    Here's the closing paragraph...does it sound like leading them to the Gospel, or trying to pander?

     
  9. paul wassona

    paul wassona New Member

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    To "go and be with Allah" is to die and go to hell.

    You cannot be the devil with his own weapons, they backfire on you every time.
     
  10. dcorbett

    dcorbett Active Member
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    I took Caner's class that everyone is required to take at Liberty, and it was EXCELLENT on World Views. I learned so much, and since he is a former Muslim who trusted Christ as Saviour, I believe every word he
    speaks about Islam and the false god they worship.

    The Lord God Jehovah is the ONLY GOD. The Trinity is the only way.
     
  11. preachinjesus

    preachinjesus Well-Known Member
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    I've used the Camel Method with several men in my community to engage them in discussion. It has been very effective. That said it is only a starting point my conversations. I usually pivot from there to somewhere else. But I have the theological training to be able to do this Bette the average layman (not being arrogant here.)

    here's the thing, I'm fine with someone criticizing a method or way of presenting the Gospel. We need to be constantly improving here. But when they do they need to present a viable alternative. When we just criticize criticize with no solution we fall into the trap of legalism.

    I don't mind Dr Caner, but don't particularly care for him or his approach. I really thing he's more of a theological thug than a carefuly theologian. I'm not surprised by his words here.
     
  12. Aaron

    Aaron Member
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    How about the Scriptural method?
     
  13. Marcia

    Marcia Active Member

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    I understand contextualization, but should not the Jesus of the Bible be presented in the Biblical context - prophesied in the OT, the need for a penalty for sins, etc.?

    You say you use it as a starting point, so then do you go into the Biblical context after that? It seems that the Camel Method is presenting Jesus as a Koranic figure.
     
  14. Steven2006

    Steven2006 New Member

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    I know absolutely nothing about this subject so this will probably be a dumb question. But couldn't he be just using the Koran to bring acceptance of Jesus in a historical sense in order to lower some wall of resistance, and then move on to a biblical approach? Do all Muslims know that Jesus is mentioned as a prophet in the Koran? Is pointing that our wrong, if one makes sure to go on and explain the true gospel and how the Koran is wrong about how to get to heaven?
     
  15. donnA

    donnA Active Member

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    so in order to present Jesus to unbelievers you have to tie Him to a false religion?
    theres nothing biblical about this. why not just stick to scripture
     
  16. preachinjesus

    preachinjesus Well-Known Member
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    I've use it as a bridge approach. It isn't a stand alone, be all thing.

    It has helped in my relationships with several Muslim men that have had serious questions. We go through their holy book and can show them legitimate flaws in the (I never use this terminology with them) epistemological system. I do the same with Mormons, JW, and other groups.

    It allows for a door to be opened and an opportunity to allow additional conversation. We begin by talking about the history of God's story and how broken the world is, then slowly begin pivoting towards the redemption story. Through this I will constantly reference Old Testament and then New Testament passages.

    I'm not an expert, just a pastor-teacher who is connecting well with some men. My belief about evangelism/apologetics (which it is both in this instance) is that we need to contextualize and build bridges as we offer Scripture. This has been effective in allowing the Holy Spirit to move in men's lives. It is a long process.

    Islam is a false religion that many of its adherents have been raised learning the primer for the belief. When we talk about, and to, Muslims (or anyone in an M3 or M4 situation) my approach has been to find the common language and cultural barriers and try to get around them.

    Just my philosophy on the thing. :)
     
  17. preachinjesus

    preachinjesus Well-Known Member
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    As a side note I'd be happy to talk about the presence of Christ in the Koran and how we can build bridges. I just don't know if that is okay with the OP. :)
     
  18. Marcia

    Marcia Active Member

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    Steven, please read the article I posted in the OP to see the basis of the objections. The article is not that long. .
     
  19. Steven2006

    Steven2006 New Member

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    I had trouble opening it.
     
  20. Marcia

    Marcia Active Member

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    Well, it does not seem from what you say that you are not doing what some are doing with this approach, and that you are not using the methods that are being objected to.
     
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