Historian shares how Islam really began

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Debp

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When Mohammed was outnumbered he was peaceful. As he gained more followers and Islam was a majority, he espoused violence.
 

Matthias

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On Sunday past Shahriq Khan posted this on X / Twitter -

“Flashback to when I was a Muslim, I wasn’t searching for a new religion.

I was just trying not to fail.

Everything I did was about staying in bounds. The prayers. The fasting. The community. The performance.

Not because I loved God deeply. because I was terrified of losing His favor.

So, when Christians told me ‘Jesus loves you’ or ‘Jesus died for you,’ it never landed. It felt random.

Because they didn’t understand the pressure I was carrying. For me, it wasn’t truth versus lies.

It was acceptance versus rejection. Safety versus losing everything.

Family, community and identity.

The thing that finally broke through wasn’t a debate, or a sermon.

It was one question:

‘Do you ever feel like you’re doing everything right and still far from God?’

That question wrecked me. Because they didn’t answer was yes.

I just never had the courage to say it out loud.

So if you’re trying to reach Muslims, slow down, ask better questions, see the fear behind the arguments.

I wasn’t fighting the Gospel: i was afraid it might be true.

And if it was true, I knew it would cost me everything.

What I needed wasn’t more pressure. I needed someone willing to walk with me long enough for the truth to take root.”

 
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Matthias

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But maybe she caused some to stop listening to the Dahwah guys.

Maybe they caused some Christians to stop listening to her. That was their goal after all, right?
 

Matthias

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When Mohammed was outnumbered he was peaceful. As he gained more followers and Islam was a majority, he espoused violence.

That’s right. That’s precisely what the ex-Muslim Christian apologist told us. The circumstances changed and Muhammad changed with them.

The progression was from what? Peace. To what? Violence.

I believe Christianity is the religion of peace. Do you? Muslims don’t.

 
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Matthias

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1781761044103.gif

Do you know what this is @Debp?

I’m not going to name the “Christian” member who posted it but the member who did doesn’t believe it is possible to evangelize Muslims.
 

Matthias

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“Make sure your attitude points to the fact that Christians are supposed to be marked by love.”

(Bill Hybels, Just Walk Across the Room, p. 183)

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I wouldn’t evangelize Muslims if I didn’t.

The Prince of Peace wants them to hear the gospel of peace and by it be drawn to him.
 

Matthias

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Christianity is the religion of peace.

If we don’t believe that, if we don’t live that, if we don’t teach and preach that, then we can forget about evangelizing Muslims.

 

Matthias

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That’s genuine Christianity. That’s the character of the true religion of peace.

It doesn’t change when evil comes for it.

That’s what Muslims* need to see and hear. That’s what Muslims must become persuaded in their own minds to believe is true. That’s what evangelism is about.

* Not only Muslims. All mankind.
 
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Matthias

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Evangelizing Muslims is hard, and should be.


When we get it wrong - and the average Christian does get it wrong - our evangelism of Muslims yields poor results.

“Do no harm.“

A theology professor wrote the simple sentence on a blackboard before delivering his lecture to the students entrusted to his care.

When we get it wrong, we harm the people we are sent by Jesus to help.
 
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Matthias

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When Mohammed was outnumbered he was peaceful. As he gained more followers and Islam was a majority, he espoused violence.

What shall we do about it? What is the remedy?
 

marks

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But maybe she caused some to stop listening to the Dahwah guys.
I'm perfectly happy to look at God's wisdom over man's wisdom. Man looks at a situation and says, No way! While God works in many incomprehensible ways. I'd never try to convince Him that my formula is the right way!

Much love!
 

Matthias

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Returning to the video in post #1 - Muhammad’s way is the way of the sword; violence. Rome’s way is the way of the sword; violence.

What is Jesus’ way? Did the historian tell us that?
 

Matthias

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“Paul gives away the secret to effective evangelism: if you hope to lead people to Christ, you have to be a person devoted to prayer.”

(Bill Hybels, Just Walk Across the Room, p. 205)

Paul never met a Muslim but Muslims have heard Paul, and Paul speaks for Jesus.

I don’t think Jesus, Paul or Hybels would have any objection to me substituting “Muslims” for “people”.
 

Matthias

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The gospel of Jesus.

“Muslims don’t need sentimental unity. They need the gospel.”

(Shahriq Khan)

 

Matthias

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“Learning about Christianity is compulsory for Muslims, but learning about Islam is optional for Christians. The result is that when a Christian meets a Muslim, the Muslim is very often prepared, while, the Christian is not.

This situation is both a challenge and an opportunity. It is a challenge because the Islamic arguments are well resourced, and do lead some Christians to convert to Islam. But it is equally a great opportunity, because Muslims are meant to learn about Christianity!

Starting an Evangelistic Conversation

Ask:
What does Islam teach about Christianity?
What have you been taught about Christianity?

Do not rush or correct them. Listen and find out who they are.

Ask: Have you checked this for yourself? … You do not have to know about Islam to start a conversation.

Teaching Christians about Islam

I have spoken to hundreds of Muslims and they have never brought up the Five Pillars of Islam with me. Instead, they regularly bring up what the Qur’an says about Christianity. This is where we should start with our training for Christians. They will remember it and it is practical.”

(Samuel Green, “Learning About Islam”)

Learning About Islam
 

Matthias

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“We are called to bring the gospel of hope to our Muslim neighbors, but there are some mistakes that Christians can make - intentionally or unintentionally - that we should avoid.

Number one, your goal as a Christian is not to win a debate. Avoid this urge to be argumentative - I want to win - because this is actually the same attitude most of our Muslim friends have - We want to prove Islam is better than Christianity. We don’t want that.

I speak the truth, I don’t compromise the gospel, but I don’t want to come to a conversation with a Muslim with an argument to win. I am reflecting Christ and I need to maintain this goal because whenever you enter this domain of clashing and fighting, I don’t think you will be that prone to be calm in presenting the gospel as you should. Don’t argue to win, number one.

Another thing that we need to avoid is we don’t need to waste time before presenting Christ to our Muslim neighbor. And we don’t want to rush presenting Christ. We need to create a balance. …

One pitfall is thinking that I must present the gospel immediately. Well, sometimes you need to bring Christ into the conversation because you will not see that person again. But some other times, don’t rush. Take time. Meet with this person over coffee or a meal several times. And every time, plan for the next time, for the next visit, saying, Okay, next time I have a story to tell you about Jesus who healed this person, so you are planning on sharing the gospel the next time you see them.”

(A.S. Ibrahim, “2 Common Pitfalls to Avoid When Evangelizing Muslims”)

 

Matthias

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Returning to the video in post #1 - Muhammad’s way is the way of the sword; violence. Rome’s way is the way of the sword; violence.

What is Jesus’ way? Did the historian tell us that?

He didn’t. That wasn’t his purpose.

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This is how Christianity began.