Answering Islam Email Dialogs


Topic: Questions To Ask A Muslim

Received: 24 April 2005

Subject: Homework Help

Hello! First, I want to say thanks for this awesome site! I am a Bible school student and am taking a Survey for my World Religions course. I found this site so helpful in getting a better grasp on Islam. The articles and links are great! Thank you for all your hard work and sound biblical answers.

Part of my final paper for the course mentioned above is including three questions or challenges for Muslims that would help them to rethink their conclusions about Christianity. So, my question for you is, after building a relationship or ministry with a Muslim woman or women, and sharing the gospel with them, how would you challenge them to come to a decision? Due to limited experience, I am afraid of coming across offensively. If you have any suggestions I would greatly appreciate them!

Thanks again for your web page!
Sincerely,
D------


Our answer:

Dear D------,

We're glad that the web-site has helped you. OK, your question is: What are three questions that one could ask a Muslim in order to get them to re-think their misconceptions and negative opinions regarding the Christian position, etc. While others might have a different take here, I personally might ask them the following questions…

1. When exactly do you believe that the Bible was corrupted and by whom?

This question is important because it is actually quite easy to demonstrate to a Muslim that when Muhammad recited the Qur'an, he made clear statements which show that he did not believe that the Bible was corrupt at that time. The Qur'an calls on Christians to adhere to the Scriptures that they possessed. There are also verses in the Qur'an which state that John the Baptist and Jesus were taught the Torah by Allah. If this is the case, then the Torah was still intact (according to the Qur'an) during the first century. Add to this the fact that we have in our possession the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Septuagint which predate John and Jesus' birth by some 200 years. Thus it is easy to demonstrate (for anyone who is willing to examine the facts) that according to the Islamic worldview and the manuscript evidence, it is impossible for the Bible to have been corrupted. The logical questions go on and on here. See:
www.answering-islam.org/Bible/multi.html
www.answering-islam.org/Bible/Text/wijngaards.html
www.answering-islam.org/Bible/jrwhy.html

Another one of my favorites is a question which revolves around the false Muslim notion that the incarnation (the ultimate demonstration of God's love for us -- particularly as it culminated in the crucifixion) somehow diminishes God's "greatness". So my question here is something along this line...

2. Philosophically speaking, which is greater, a God who demonstrates his love to the utmost extent (see Philippians 2) or one who refrains from doing so in order to preserve his image of "greatness"?

When we begin to see the world through a Muslim's eyes, and understand their perspective toward the incarnation and the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, and when we imagine a world without the incarnation, it is like having a "It's a Wonderful Life" (Jimmy Stuart movie) experience. We begin to see what an awesome thing the incarnation is, and we appreciate more then ever before what God has done for us! It is my belief that when Muslims are able to see this fact (that true greatness is found with the one who loves the most), then they begin to see the superiority emotionally and philosophically of the Biblical concept of God over the Islamic concept of God. See also the story that is told about the two fathers in this response: www.answering-islam.org/Emails/trinity-where.htm

Another question that one might ask a Muslim would be:

3. If you claim to be born without a sin nature (an inborn propensity toward sin rather than a natural propensity toward righteousness), then how long can you go without sinning? Can you go for a week without sin? How about a day? If you are born basically good, then why does one need to struggle and make a conscious effort to be good and not need to struggle to be bad? Why do we naturally drift toward selfishness and not righteousness?

See a great discussion that covers this and a whole lot more here: www.answering-islam.org/Intro/discussion.pdf

A fourth question might be: Would you be willing to pray with an honest heart and ask God to guide you to His truth, even if that truth is found in the Bible and not in Islam?

Anyway, I hope that this has helped. Be creative and never fear coming off as offensive. Muslims rarely worry about such and neither should we. A lit-up city on a hill-top should never be hidden. And we should never be ashamed of our message nor of our Lord and Savior-the One about whom all God's prophets wrote. Through him, we have found salvation and anyone else who believes in him and his finished work of redemption will also be saved. Also, for what it is worth... often it is the "offensive statements" that cause others to begin rethinking and wrestling with their inbred misconceptions.

Any more questions feel free to write back.

Bless You!

Lazarus


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