Muslims and Christians at the Table: Promoting Biblical Understanding Among North American Muslims

Rating:
Summary: Astute, informed and practical
Review: "Today the Islamic world is no longer somewhere else, in some other part of the world; instead Chicago, with its 50 mosques and nearly half a million Muslims, is part of the Islamic world" (p.3).

Authored by two men who have both studied Islam and ministered to Muslims nationally and internationally, this work is the single best resource for learning how to approach Muslims living in the U.S. with the gospel that I am aware of. Written with competence and grace, McDowell and Zaka have produced a marvelous handbook that ought to be read and acted upon by congregations and individuals alike. With Islam in general and the growing Muslim presence within the USA in particular receiving increasing attention, this book is crucial for understanding Muslims in the North American context and for reaching out to them with the love and compassion of Christ.

Composed of four main parts, the last of which is the longest, McDowell and Zaka endeavor to provide the reader with an understanding of the Muslim's background including its historical, cultural and theological aspects (Parts 2 and 3). Here we are introduced to what Muslims believe about revelation, Allah, Jesus, human nature, salvation, and life in the world. Similarities and differences between Islam and Christianity are noted providing a framework within which Islam is to be understood and approached. As is characteristic of this volume throughout, Islamic beliefs and practices are discussed with charity and fairness. While Islamic sources and viewpoints are by no means handled uncritically, yet faultfinding and censure are always subservient to comprehension and improved understanding.

With it being the first and the final sections of this book (Parts 1 and 4) that keep this work from being simply another survey, we turn now to consider what is the real contribution made by this work. Prior to talking about the life of Muhammad, the development of Islam, Muslim cultural distinctives, and what it is that Muslims believe; McDowell and Zaka first ask this foundational question, "Why should we reach Muslims here?" While such various factors as the growth of Islam in North America, Islam's spread into the African-American community, the attraction and conversion of many North Americans to Islam, the goals of the Muslim community within the USA, and the paucity of people ministering to Muslims all form part of the reason for reaching out to Muslims, they are nowhere made the whole. For under-girding all of these dynamics is this more basic factor: a responsibility to fulfill God's commission. This responsibility to Muslims is expressed in the following words that deserve to be highlighted here. "Our enemy is Satan, not Muslims. We should regard them as friends, neighbors and fellow human beings made in the image of God. We believe this is God's perspective. Jesus died for and is seeking to save, a multitude out of Islam" (p.xviii).

Anchored in this commitment to biblical evangelism, McDowell and Zaka round out their work by instructing the reader in how to actually reach Muslims. Following a chapter on the theological basis for Muslim evangelism, our authors offer advice on how to meet Muslims, on various methods for reaching Muslims, and on developing a strategy for Muslim evangelism. Wise counsel on how to conduct one's self when visiting a mosque and on studying the Bible with Muslims also contribute to the practicality of this section. The real contribution of this final section, however, is the nuanced commendation of friendship evangelism and the establishment of "Meetings for Better Understanding".

Perhaps not widely known, the concept behind these Meetings for Better Understanding (p.217ff) is the creation of a friendly, personal environment in which Christians and Muslims can communicate with each other with respect and understanding. Based around having Christian and Muslim speakers present their respective views, and premised upon two communities of faith reasonably engaging each other not in debate but in mutual discussion, the aim of these meetings is to break down walls, stereotypes and misunderstandings. It is also to foster openness; to gain a better understanding of each other's religious expression, and to give Muslims the opportunity to hear the Christian gospel carefully explained. Trusting in the truth of God's Word and the power of His Spirit; these meetings are neither a back peddling nor a watering down of Christian distinctives. Rather, they are a real (and very promising) attempt at building personal, social, and theological bridges with Muslims in order to present Christ as "the fulfillment of the hearts of all of us longing for peace with Allah" (p.xii).

While a good deal more that is positive remains to be said about this volume, the bottom line is that Muslims and Christians at the Table meets a glaring need and fills an obvious gap in this kind of literature. Not only does it call North American evangelicals to make the most of the freedom available to witness to Muslims on our home shores, but it also offers a viable, biblical model for how we can go about this. Theologically astute and practical in the best sense, this is one evangelism text that deserves to be read closely and put into action.



Rating:
Summary: A Wealth of Information
Review: Dr. Zaka and Dr. McDowell have compiled a wealth of information and knowledge in this book. Dr. Zaka is an authority concerning Islam and I highly recommend this book to any Christian searching for methods of interaction with Muslims. I give this book 5 very enthusiastic stars.

Rating:
Summary: A Wealth of Information
Review: Dr. Zaka and Dr. McDowell have compiled a wealth of information and knowledge in this book. Dr. Zaka is an authority concerning Islam and I highly recommend this book to any Christian searching for methods of interaction with Muslims. I give this book 5 very enthusiastic stars.

Rating:
Summary: A Balanced Approach to Ministry to Muslims
Review: The authors have done an excellent job of re-centering our priorities in ministry to Muslims. They focus on friendship and understanding as the keys to effective minstry. The book has a healthy balance of theology and history with practical ministry applications. At Biola University we have used their models for a continuing relationship with Muslims in our area.

Rating:
Summary: A Balanced Approach to Ministry to Muslims
Review: The authors have done an excellent job of re-centering our priorities in ministry to Muslims. They focus on friendship and understanding as the keys to effective minstry. The book has a healthy balance of theology and history with practical ministry applications. At Biola University we have used their models for a continuing relationship with Muslims in our area.

Rating:
Summary: FANTASTIC overview, very readable and well organized
Review: This book is a great resource to have to understand how Muslims came into existence. It clearly lays out differences and explains how the Muslims view the Bible and Jesus. I was unaware of specific Bible passages that Muslims think were changed to hide references to Mohammad.
One illustration that was very helpful to me is that the Muslims view the Koran as Christians view Christ.
This book will give the reader a clear understanding of Muslims origin, doctrine and culture. It helps to remove any fear or mystery in speaking with them.

Rating:
Summary: FANTASTIC overview, very readable and well organized
Review: This book is a great resource to have to understand how Muslims came into existence. It clearly lays out differences and explains how the Muslims view the Bible and Jesus. I was unaware of specific Bible passages that Muslims think were changed to hide references to Mohammad.
One illustration that was very helpful to me is that the Muslims view the Koran as Christians view Christ.
This book will give the reader a clear understanding of Muslims origin, doctrine and culture. It helps to remove any fear or mystery in speaking with them.