Looking for ideas
I have started a letter in which I will address a muslim place of worship in my area. My tone in this one will be different than it would be writing a letter to a progressive/liberal/homosexual church or a Word of Faith church. I am using a book called So whats the difference? as aide to writing my letter. Here is a start of my first paragraph does it look good so far? Looking for ideas. Also gospel tracts can add or take away from my letter presentation so I am including a tract on the Muslim religion (apologetics), a tract on what makes Christianity unique over other faiths (apologetics), a tract on the atonement, and a tract on the 10 commandments to bring conviction. Also remember when I write letters I trust God to bring people to faith and open hearts, so in this case my main goal is to plant seeds but my presentation must be Biblical and CLEAR.
Dear xxxxx;
Islam has some similarities with Christianity such as the Monotheistic view of God and the reading of the Old Testament and for that I commend the Muslim faith, as unlike secular Humanism, the New Age Pantheistic movement, and progressive Liberal Christianity, at least Muslims believe in something and have a cause for their faith. Humanism, which describes the religion of the masses in the Denver region, has no faith in anything but the worship of self. However there are many differences between Islam and Christianity three of which are the doctrine of the Trinity, Christology, and Soteriology. In the Christian faith Christ is God and the savior of mankind, while Muslims reject Christ as being God, God is a trinity, and believe that paradise can be earned through keeping the Five Pillars. The Bible, in contrast, reveals that sinful man can never measure up to the holy God (Romans 3:23; 6:23). Only by God’s grace may sinners be saved through repentant faith in Jesus (Acts 20:21; Ephesians 2:8-9).
Witnessing with Muslims
Discussion in 'Baptist Theology & Bible Study' started by evangelist6589, Nov 29, 2014.
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evangelist6589 Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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Crabtownboy Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Your message will immediately be rejected by bringing up the trinity. They argue that means you believe in three Gods, not one. You and I know better. However you will have to establish a trusting relationship before discussing the trinity. To witness to followers of Islam you must go slow, gently and build trust. IMHO letters, tracks, written materials will not do it. You must meet face to face, speak gently, show respect, and gradually build trust. Being argumentative, insulting Mohammad will immediately negate you witness.
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evangelist6589 Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Meeting face to face? Hmm.. I have lots of letters to send to churches, schools, politicians and such. Hmm if I had an opportunity why not? -
evangelist6589 Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Another letter
This is a template I sent to all the Colorado State senators in my area. Was this showing gentleness and respect? I did not speak much just informed them I was praying for them.
Dear State Senator;
I am writing to inform you that I am praying for you and have included several gospel tracts for you to read, including a rich tract on Christmas. Perhaps you do not know of the real meaning behind Christmas and have led people down to political correctness by referring to Christmas as “happy holidays” as so many do these days. If this is your position I hope that the tracts I included will help change your view. The greatest gift to mankind will be celebrated soon on Christmas and I can only pray for you to accept the gift and come to him in faith and repentance.
John 3:16-17
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
John 6:33
For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
Sincerely,
John -
Crabtownboy Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
I have had Moslems tell me they love Jesus, that he was a great prophet. Their view of Jesus is more positive than the Christian view of Mohammad. However they are very sensitive to anything said about Mohammad.
Just calling will not be enough. If you are seriously going to witness to the followers of Islam you must establish a personal, long-term relationship. This may take months or years.
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Crabtownboy Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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evangelist6589 Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
But even if he does not so what? God only expects me to witness and I do so to the glory of God. God will draw the elect to salvation with or without my help. I send out lots of letters and give out lots of tracts, and open air preach often. I do not worry about my efforts because I know God will draw the elect. -
evangelist6589 Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Islam has some similarities with Christianity such as the Monotheistic view of God and the reading of the Old Testament and for that I commend the Muslim faith, as unlike secular Humanism, the New Age Pantheistic movement, and progressive Liberal Christianity, at least Muslims believe in something and have a cause for their faith. Humanism, which describes the religion of the masses in the Denver region, has no faith in anything but the worship of self. However there are many differences between Islam and Christianity some of which are the in Christology, and Soteriology. In the Christian faith Christ is God and the savior of mankind, while Muslims reject Christ as being God, God is a trinity, and believe that paradise can be earned through keeping the Five Pillars. The Bible, in contrast, reveals that sinful man can never measure up to the holy God (Romans 3:23; 6:23). Only by God’s grace may sinners be saved through repentant faith in Jesus (Acts 20:21; Ephesians 2:8-9).
Regarding your view of salvation you believe that everyone is born with a clean slate and sins can be overcome by the will and performing good acts. However in Christianity this is not the case as all man is depraved and guilty before a Holy God and that no one does good apart from the Holy Spirit whom works faith and repentance in the elect (Rm 3:12; Eph 5:8-10). Your system of theology leads to a view of God whom does not love those who do wrong, and each person must earn his or her way to salvation by performing good deeds. While I can agree that sinners are in the hands of an angry God (refer to the sermon by Jonathan Edwards & Reformed theology) and that He will punish sin and lawbreakers in Hell. However being an Angry God is not all his attributes as He also is a God of love and so sent His only son to die on the cross for the sins of mankind which was meant to bring us back to God by absorbing the wrath of a Holy God on wicked sinners. God does indeed love sinners but my question for you is how can you revere Jesus as a great prophet but not God and on what basis? I included a gospel tract “In Search of Truth” taken from the book The Resurrection factor and the atheist author spends more than a 1,000 hours researching the resurrection of Christ in an attempt to debunk it. But along the way he finds much positive evidence from not only historical records, but also what happened to him during the process and he gave his life to Christ. So Jesus is all he claimed to be. -
You really need to learn more on Islam. And I don't understand why you spend so much time writing letters rather than having personal interactions with people. Letters don't allow any interaction, you can't read the persons reaction, nor can you respond to questions.
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Crabtownboy Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
There is no substitute for face to face witnessing. Cold letters, cold in the sense of arriving from an unknown person, will not have the effect you desire. Indeed it will probably have the opposite effect. When I started freelancing I was told cold calls never result in work. I believe the same is true in witnessing, whether to other Christians or to people of other religions.
Your desire to witness is good. But it will take face to face discussions over a very long period of time and it will have to be done slowly, carefully, gently and with real sincerity. However presenting the Calvinist view initially is a sure way to stop all conversation. Not all Christians agree with total depravity. Indeed there are those who say it is a heresy from Gnosticism.
You have to realize also there is much in our culture that is very offensive to sincere Muslems; i.e. women in shirts, soft porn on TV and movies, our eating of pork, ... the list could go on and on.
Also Gig makes a very good suggestion. You need to study and read deeply to become knowledgeable of their religion. Indeed you need to read the Koran so when they quote from it you can also quote from it showing that you have knowledge and show how their interpretation of the Koran may be in error. You cannot simply quote Bible verses to them and make an impact if you know nothing of what is written in the Koran. In essence you need to know more about their religion than they.
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evangelist6589 Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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Crabtownboy Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Again, I ask, what would your response be if a Muslem sent you tracks and a letter through the mail? -
evangelist6589 Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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evangelist6589 Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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Second, Crabby has given some you some very wise information. As my dad would say: A word to the wise is sufficient.
Third, if you haven't been asked: I ask, what would your response be if a Muslem sent you tracks and a letter through the mail? -
evangelist6589 Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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And what about the resurrection of jesus?
he holds that God caused them to see someone else died , not jesus, so why Allah telling a big time lie? -
evangelist6589 Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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