C1 - C6 Contextulization

Through my study of Islam, one of my biggest questions has been 'How can we get more Muslims to come and follow Jesus?' I have come to the realization that while there is plenty we can do to plant seeds, only God can make them grow. What I find interesting is the plant that grows after the seed has been planted.

Below is a table from
Evangelical Missions Quarterly showing a different kind of disciples that what is normally thought as traditional. Some might argue that C5-6 are syncronistic, but I find the variation on 'traditional' Christianity not only acceptable, but exciting and challenging.

I love hearing stories about how Muslims are coming to know Isa (Jesus) through reading the Qur'an, or through traditional Islamic beliefs and practices.

The brothers and sisters in the C5-6 catagories are modeling what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9.22:

To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.

By staying in their Islamic communities, and continuing to practice the cultural norms, they open many doors that would otherwise be closed if they allowed themselves to undergo 'Christianiazation', they would not only be percieved at heretical, but as Western sycophants.

Anyway, just thought I would share some thoughts... Keep praying for more workers in the Muslim harvest field, and that God would continue His great work in the Islamic world.

Mohammed Cartoons

Just wanted to bring this to your attention..

Recently, a Danish newspaper published cartoons that depicted the Muslim Prophet Mohammed in less then respectful ways. This caused Muslims all over Europe, and especially in the Middle East to react with disgust, resentment, and in some cases, violence. Foreign Embassies were burned in Damascus, Syria, and leaders of Islamic extremist groups called for the execution of the artists who had drawn the cartoons.

Not only were the cartoons considered disrespectful, but any image of a religious figure in Islam is explicitly forbidden in the Hadith (secondary Muslim holy books):



"The most severely punished of people on the Day of Resurrection will be those who try to make the like of Allah's creation."


"Allah (swt ), Most High said: "And who is more unjust than those who try to create the likeness of My creation? Let them create an atom, or let them create a wheat grain, or let them create a barley grain."


"Every picture maker is in the Fire. A soul will be placed in every picture made by him and it will punish him in the Hell-fire."

(references gathered from:
www.usc.edu)



I think it is interesting how much of a reaction this invoked from Muslims, both violent and non. It also raises an few questions in my mind. "Should freedom of speech/press include obvious derogatory, offensive and negative comments/images/etc? Especially religious figures of ANY sort?'

It also makes me think about how often our Lord Jesus is slandered, and we sit by and take little if any action. Does it merit any response? I believe it does. John Wesley once said something to the effect of:

"A dog barks and bites when his master is attacked. As God's servant, can you expect me to do less than a dog if my Master is attacked?"

I do not think that comments made about our God merit physical violence, but I do think that we need to be aware of how people use the name of Jesus, and remember that it's how we represent our Master that determines people's perception of His worth.