Witnessing to Jews and Muslims

[evangelist6589]

1. Establish rapport with small talk.
2. Ask them about their hope before Allah. They will likely talk about doing the daily prayers and maintaining the five pillars of Islam.
3. Ask them if they are sure if Allah will accept them. Most likely they will not be able to give a full affirmative.
4. It is good to show some knowledge of Islam, including references to the Qu'ran and possibly some a-Hadith. Examples:
a. Surah 4:157 - the Qu'ran denies the Jesus was crucified, but that "it was made to appear" that way. Most orthodox Sunni Muslims believe Judas or Simon the Cyrene was crucified in the place of Jesus by mistake. Ahmedi Muslims believe that Jesus was crucified, but did die (swoon theory). If Allah's intention was that people were misled about Jesus dying by crucifixion, then He started Christianity by mistake. Ironically, only Muslims and radically skeptical atheists have any reason to believe that the historical Jesus of Nazareth died by crucifixion.
b. Surah 5:46-47 - the Qu'ran says that Jesus confirmed what was in the Torah by the Gospel that was given to him. The Qu'ran then instructs the people of the Gospel (Christians) to judge by what Allah says in the Gospel. Basically, when we obey that command, we find that Mohammed contradicts it and he did not really know what was in the Gospel.
c. Surah 4:171; 5:17; 5:72-75 and others deny the deity of Jesus, but seem to misunderstand the Christian teaching of the Trinity. It claims that Christians associate other "partners" or "gods" with Allah and even hints that Mohammed thought that the Trinity was Allah, Mary, and Jesus. If the Qu'ran is from Allah, He should have known what the Christian doctrine of the Trinity really was.
5. Know the story in the Hadith (Sahih Bukhari Volume 4, Book 56, Number 676) of the man who killed 99 people and how Allah saved him. With some Hadith stories, people receive a lot of mercy and get into paradise. With other Hadith stories, there are those who are faithful and they do not make it.
6. Explain the basis of forgiveness from God. In Islam, the forgiveness and punishment from Allah seems arbitrary. In Christianity all sin is punished (either in Christ or in the sinner without Christ). In Christianity, we have a perfect mediator through the God Man and His atonement on the Cross. In Islam, you have no mediator and no assurance.

Hope this helps.

Thank you brother. This has been the best advice on this thread and I appreciate it. Since I do not know any Muslims and they seem to be rare in DT Denver on the streets I had the thought of sending a letter to a Muslim place of worship. I have some books on the Muslim faith, and I believe some tracts as well (http://www.fellowshiptractleague.org/tract_html/english/160/page_flip/160.html) but what are the odds they will respond? I will write my letter in gentleness and respect (1 Pt 3:15) and pray for a response. I have prayed over all my letters I have sent out and shall pray for an opportunity to witness to a Muslim.


John

 

[PreachTony]

Also, do you believe in varying degrees of reward in Heaven?

I can't help but notice that you've not answered this question. I know it seems off topic, but I ask for a specific reason. You've mentioned John Piper time and again on this thread and in others. Piper is on record stating that he believes in "varying degrees of reward" in Heaven.

If you are going to uphold these men as somehow of seemingly equal strength to Scripture (going by your reliance on them), then you ought to be able to defend/debate their theological stances. I know quite a few people who do not hold to Piper's stance of degrees of reward. I think the equal reward to believers, as being heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ, is explicitly scriptural.

 

[Don]

You won't get an answer. As soon as you disagree with him, he stops responding.

 

[PreachTony]

You won't get an answer. As soon as you disagree with him, he stops responding.

I guess so...I thought it was a fair question, considering his reliance on Piper et al...

 

[evangelist6589]

I guess so...I thought it was a fair question, considering his reliance on Piper et al...

Yes I do. But off the top of my head I can't think of the bible verses. Books by Piper only help me understand the Bible better and they are valuable. This year I have tossed at least 16 books that did not take the bible seriously as in had too much psychology or secular arguments.

 

[gb93433]

I have never witnessing to a Muslim partly because there are so few in Denver but perhaps I may write up a Muslim church. I know little about doing this can anyone assist?

Those who recognize counterfeit money know what real money looks like. They spend their time studying what real money looks like. The older I get the more I realize the need to listen and ask strategic questions about what a person values and see as important. By listening I find what is at the core of their beliefs and can ask the person questions about what they believe. I have never found anyone who say what they believe is false until they recognize it for themselves. When we see Jesus dealing with the Sadducees he used only the Torah. When He dealt with the Pharisees He used the entire OT. One cannot possibly know about every religion every person believes in America but we can know scripture and use it when asked for the hope we have. I have shared my faith with Muslims and found if I listen carefully then very often because they begin to doubt their own faith when asked the right questions they will ask me what I believe. That is my time to share Jesus. I never take the position that they are wrong and I am right. I give them the freedom to disagree and ask me questions from the point of view that we are seeking the truth. There have been many times I have learned more about my own faith as they ask questions because the dialog makes me think more about what I believe and God uses that to help me understand him better. I have seen times when I have better understood some passages simply because I am sharing my faith. We must give people respect and carefully listen to them. There are too many who claim to have the truth but they share the truth unwisely and so the truth is seen as coming from an arrogant person and in need of the truth. Proverbs 16:21, "The wise in heart will be called understanding, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness." Proverbs 16:23, "The heart of the wise instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips."

 

[Aaron]

Other than the false churches The Lord by using the conference has convicted me about witnessing to these groups as well.

Make sure. Make very sure. Make very, very sure.

Confront the wrong Muslim, and you're dead, and maybe your family. Confront the wrong Jew, and the front page news will tell of a Neonazi, Fascist, scum-sucking, antisemitic bigot, preaching on the street corners. Practice saying, "You want fries with that?"

Not saying God hasn't called many to die for the faith. Just make sure. Make very sure. Make very, very sure.

 

[evangelist6589]

Make sure. Make very sure. Make very, very sure.



Confront the wrong Muslim, and you're dead, and maybe your family. Confront the wrong Jew, and the front page news will tell of a Neonazi, Fascist, scum-sucking, antisemitic bigot, preaching on the street corners. Practice saying, "You want fries with that?"



Not saying God hasn't called many to die for the faith. Just make sure. Make very sure. Make very, very sure.

No I am sending letters in the mail with gospel tracts and wrote up the Jewish temples asking for a chat on Messiah. I also include a Josh McDowell tract and if they respond I have some of his books defending Jesus as messiah. I am taking the role of apologist in this context and not open air preacher. The books are helpful to highlight scriptures and archaeology and historical evidences defending Jesus as messiah.

 

[PreachTony]

No I am sending letters in the mail with gospel tracts and wrote up the Jewish temples asking for a chat on Messiah. I also include a Josh McDowell tract and if they respond I have some of his books defending Jesus as messiah. I am taking the role of apologist in this context and not open air preacher. The books are helpful to highlight scriptures and archaeology and historical evidences defending Jesus as messiah.

I know this will sound trite, but are you taking your Bible, too? Remember, when Philip preached Jesus to the Ethiopian, he didn't run back to town to get the writings of whatever elders were about, and he didn't hand him tracts and tell him to go buy a book by so-and-so author. Philip opened the scriptures to him. That was enough for the Ethiopian to confess Christ as his savior and seek baptism.

 

[evangelist6589]

Reread my post man. I carry my Bible with my every time I witness.

 

[blessedwife318]

Reread my post man. I carry my Bible with my every time I witness.

And yet it is clear to everyone on this board that you don't view the Bible as Sufficient since you always direct people toward man made books or tracks not the Bible.

 

[evangelist6589]

And yet it is clear to everyone on this board that you don't view the Bible as Sufficient since you always direct people toward man made books or tracks not the Bible.

It is also apparent that you have an agenda to discredit me and are not very truthful nor honest. Also it's not like I encourage any humanism philosophy books or tracts. My books and tracts are loaded with scripture.

One thing you do not understand is the difference between a humanism book and a bible based book. Take for example the following books

Your best life know
The purpose driven life
How to win friends and influence people
Think and grow rich
Quitter

These books may claim Christ but it's obvious from the content the Bible is not their authority which is more their experiences, worldly philosophy, and humanism.

Then compare to these books

Success Gods Way
Faith Works
Radical
Desiring God
Until Christ Returns

These books are loaded with scripture and some of which are commentaries. The bible is the sole authority in these books and the author makes this obvious. Compare Stanley's Success Gods way to the book Quitter or another humanism success book and see EXACTLY what I mean. I test all books in light of scripture as the bereans did and toss garbage ones.

 

[PreachTony]

It is also apparent that you have an agenda to discredit me and are not very truthful nor honest. Also it's not like I encourage any humanism philosophy books or tracts. My books and tracts are loaded with scripture.

I have no interest in discrediting you, evan. I'm just kind of concerned that you seem to rely on the works of other men, basically contemporaries to you and me, instead of relying on the inspired Scripture of God.

 

[evangelist6589]

I have no interest in discrediting you, evan. I'm just kind of concerned that you seem to rely on the works of other men, basically contemporaries to you and me, instead of relying on the inspired Scripture of God.

Re read my post again

 

[gb93433]

I carry my Bible with my every time I witness.

I do not know one person who could make that claim. I share my faith whenever the opportunity arises and that may be almost anywhere. One time I spoke with an employee while we were high up on a roof.

 

[blessedwife318]

One thing you do not understand is the difference between a humanism book and a bible based book..

Wow you seem to know a lot about me if you can make a statement about what I do or do not understand.:laugh:

 

[blessedwife318]

I do not know one person who could make that claim. I share my faith whenever the opportunity arises and that may be almost anywhere. One time I spoke with an employee while we were high up on a roof.

That brings back fond memories of discussions I would have with my associates at work. During slow periods we would have all kinds of discussions and they all knew I was a Christian and why. Plenty of opportunities to share the Gospel. I even gave one a Bible of his own to read and encouraged him to read the book of John that lead to some good discussions.

 

[PreachTony]

I do not know one person who could make that claim. I share my faith whenever the opportunity arises and that may be almost anywhere. One time I spoke with an employee while we were high up on a roof.

I've been in the ministry for 12 years, and while I always have a Bible in my car, I don't always have one with me. I'm glad you're able to have your Bible with you all the time, evan. You're doing better than me.

 

[gb93433]

That brings back fond memories of discussions I would have with my associates at work. During slow periods we would have all kinds of discussions and they all knew I was a Christian and why. Plenty of opportunities to share the Gospel. I even gave one a Bible of his own to read and encouraged him to read the book of John that lead to some good discussions.

That is great. Thanks for sharing.

 

[blessedwife318]

That is great. Thanks for sharing.

You're welcome