There is more common ground between Muslims and Christians then we think. In his helpful book, Muslims, Christians and Jesus, Carl Medearis, an expert on Islam who lived among Muslims for twelve years, explains just how much!
For starters, we believe in the same deity. That’s right. Yahweh, God and Allah are just different names for the Lord who made the heavens and the earth. In fact, in Arabic translations of the Bible, the word for God is “Allah.”
We also have the Old Testament in common. Like us, Muslims speak highly of Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses and David. They are also familiar with the biblical stories that inspire us, including the creation story.
Most surprisingly, they believe some of the same things that we believe about Jesus. According to Carl Medearis, “The Qu’ran mentions Jesus almost one hundred times, all with great reverence.” Muslims believe that Jesus was born of a virgin called Mary, lived a sinless and compassionate life, performed miracles, was raised from death by God and will witness against unbelievers on Judgment Day. Although Muslims cannot condone the idea of Jesus as the Son of God because it lessens the idea that “there is no god but God,” they do honour him as a great prophet and the Messiah. This is important to know at a time when the fear of terrorists is prompting so many American Christians to applaud Donald Trump’s anti-Muslim rants.
There are differences between Muslims and Christians, too, and Muslims, Christians and Jesus is a helpful tool for increasing our cultural sensitivity. For example, Hope Fellowship’s women may have to dress more modestly when interacting with Muslim families, and wait to shake hands until the man first extends his hand. Our left hands may never be used for shaking hands or eating. Men will have to remember that showing the bottoms of their feet or their bare legs in shorts is viewed as immodest behaviour. When visiting homes or mosques, shoes must be taken off. Pork, alcohol and dogs are considered “dirty.” Bibles may never be casually placed on the ground or under a chair because holy books must be handled with care and respect. And it is insensitive, even offensive, to eat in front of a Muslim person during the month of fasting called Ramadan.
The most interesting thing that I learned from Mederias’ book is that someone can be a Muslim who follows Jesus and still celebrates cultural traditions and national feast days. As I thought about this, I realized that this is exactly what Jews for Jesus do as they continue to observe Passover and Hanukkah.
The strongest point that Carl Mederias makes in his book is that we are not adherents of a religion but followers of Jesus. Does this mean that we must water down what we believe about Jesus or the Trinity? Not at all. But as followers of Jesus, all we’re asked to do is love our neighbours and help people see Jesus in us. If and when that leads to conversations about Jesus, we can explain why we follow him. This will probably force us to read the New Testament more so that we can actually explain why we love Jesus so much! Any converting can be left to the Holy Spirit.
Carl Medearis’ final bits of advice for people interested in building relationships with Muslims? Have fun. Drop your agenda. Be a-religious. Don’t push Western or Christian culture. And be yourself. Why? Because Jesus asks us only to love, bless and pray for our neighbours, including those who seem so different that we are inclined to fear them.
- Pastor Peter
For starters, we believe in the same deity. That’s right. Yahweh, God and Allah are just different names for the Lord who made the heavens and the earth. In fact, in Arabic translations of the Bible, the word for God is “Allah.”
We also have the Old Testament in common. Like us, Muslims speak highly of Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses and David. They are also familiar with the biblical stories that inspire us, including the creation story.
Most surprisingly, they believe some of the same things that we believe about Jesus. According to Carl Medearis, “The Qu’ran mentions Jesus almost one hundred times, all with great reverence.” Muslims believe that Jesus was born of a virgin called Mary, lived a sinless and compassionate life, performed miracles, was raised from death by God and will witness against unbelievers on Judgment Day. Although Muslims cannot condone the idea of Jesus as the Son of God because it lessens the idea that “there is no god but God,” they do honour him as a great prophet and the Messiah. This is important to know at a time when the fear of terrorists is prompting so many American Christians to applaud Donald Trump’s anti-Muslim rants.
There are differences between Muslims and Christians, too, and Muslims, Christians and Jesus is a helpful tool for increasing our cultural sensitivity. For example, Hope Fellowship’s women may have to dress more modestly when interacting with Muslim families, and wait to shake hands until the man first extends his hand. Our left hands may never be used for shaking hands or eating. Men will have to remember that showing the bottoms of their feet or their bare legs in shorts is viewed as immodest behaviour. When visiting homes or mosques, shoes must be taken off. Pork, alcohol and dogs are considered “dirty.” Bibles may never be casually placed on the ground or under a chair because holy books must be handled with care and respect. And it is insensitive, even offensive, to eat in front of a Muslim person during the month of fasting called Ramadan.
The most interesting thing that I learned from Mederias’ book is that someone can be a Muslim who follows Jesus and still celebrates cultural traditions and national feast days. As I thought about this, I realized that this is exactly what Jews for Jesus do as they continue to observe Passover and Hanukkah.
The strongest point that Carl Mederias makes in his book is that we are not adherents of a religion but followers of Jesus. Does this mean that we must water down what we believe about Jesus or the Trinity? Not at all. But as followers of Jesus, all we’re asked to do is love our neighbours and help people see Jesus in us. If and when that leads to conversations about Jesus, we can explain why we follow him. This will probably force us to read the New Testament more so that we can actually explain why we love Jesus so much! Any converting can be left to the Holy Spirit.
Carl Medearis’ final bits of advice for people interested in building relationships with Muslims? Have fun. Drop your agenda. Be a-religious. Don’t push Western or Christian culture. And be yourself. Why? Because Jesus asks us only to love, bless and pray for our neighbours, including those who seem so different that we are inclined to fear them.
- Pastor Peter
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