Five massive "No-No's" to sharing the gospel with a Muslim (and a few Yes-Yes's)

Why is it that we find it difficult to share the gospel with others?

Sometimes it’s because we have become distracted. There are so many things that can push the need to tell others from its central place in our calling as individuals and churches. We get wrapped up in our own church issues, problems and politics. Or we get sidetracked by the very real needs of our broken and hurting world, and expend our energies dealing with the symptoms rather than the cause. Sometimes it’s because we have lacked conviction. We look at people who seem relatively happy or settled in their own beliefs, and just don’t think Jesus is for them. Or perhaps we have forgotten just how good the good news is, and how serious the consequences for those who enter eternity unforgiven.

But most often it is fear that has held us back from sharing the good news about Jesus. When we meet people whose culture, background or beliefs are so different from ours, we can draw back from speaking about our own faith because we are afraid of saying the wrong thing, unintentionally offending them, or getting into an unhelpful argument that leads nowhere. Perhaps this is nowhere clearer than with evangelism to Muslims.

But help is at hand.

In his recently published book Engaging with Muslims, author John Klaassen helps us see the opportunity there is with Muslims in our own culture -- both newly arrived immigrants to the West and those who have lived with us for a long time. And each stimulating chapter rounds off with some pithy advice on what not to do. Here are his top five:

1. Don’t assume that all Muslims are radicalized fundamentalists—they are all different.
Because the media focusses on radicalised Muslims, we can kind of assume that this is what all Muslims are like—they are not. The range of Muslim belief and practice is enormous—from a closed-minded Jihadi to an extremely westernised liberal—and all shades inbetween. Much as a Muslim might legitimately ask of you: What kind of Christian are you—Catholic, Protestant, Anglican, Baptist?" So it is right, proper and not rude to ask the same question of a Muslim. Are you Sunni or Shiia? How do you practice your faith? Do you go to a Mosque? What is the most important thing about your faith for you? Asked in a spirit of open enquiry and friendship, without hostility, you will be surprised to discover that very few Muslims conform to any specification of belief. Many do not know much about the Qu'ran, or about the details of their faith—they may be "cultural muslims" in the same way that many people may be "cultural Christians" with not solid grasp of what "true faith" actually is. The important thing is to get beyond the fear of not knowing to the friendship zone of open enquiry.

2. Don’t underestimate the amount of time that might be involved in forming a proper friendship with a Muslim man, woman or family.
Culturally, being friends with Muslims, and many others of Asian background, involves time and presence. In our time conscious modern world, we count our close friends as those we manage to snatch an hour or an evening with once a week or once every 6 months. But becoming firm friends with a Muslim involves so much more time spent just being around with them. It does not need to be anything organised or spectacular. Going shopping, walking in the park, hanging out while the children play, watching TV together. All these things build friendship faster and deeper than a formal meal or the occasional Movie.

3. Don’t be surprised if Muslims are cautious and suspicious of your motives. Don’t treat them as “gospel fodder” to be dropped if they do not seem to be responding. “Let love be genuine.” (Romans 12 v 9)

4. Don’t speak disparagingly of Islam, the Qur'an or Muhammad.
Because we know that Jesus is Lord and that the Scriptures are the Word of Life, nourishing and true and a lamp to our path, our instinct is often to attack anything that claims to usurp the place of Christ and the Bible. But this is completely counter productive. Imagine your Muslim friend is a defended fort with barbed wire and searchlights. These three issues are like trip wires that sound the alarm. As soon as you say something negative about them, the sirens sound, the searchlights go on, and they switch into defensive mode against anything you say. The far better way to help them understand and appreciate the Gospel—a way under the barbed wire—is simply to introduce them to the words of Jesus, and the Bible's testimony to him, and allow the Word of God and the Holy Spirit to do their work of convincing of the truth and demolishing idols.

5. Don’t be discouraged when they say “no” to Christ, even when you know he is dealing with them.
They are afraid. The repercussions are very great. Let them count the cost in their own time and in their own way, and continue to pray for them.

Over time the aim is to show Christ to your friend in the context of a warm loving, open friendship, so here are a couple of "Do's to round off:

• Do offer to pray for and with Muslims in the name of Jesus.
• Do pray that God would reveal himself to your friend—perhaps even in a dream or vision.
• Do show that you are living a generous, giving life out of love for Christ.

Engaging with Muslims is published by The Good Book Company