Reaching the Unreached

1. TM Reaching the Unreached

2. Changing Muslim Worldview on the concept of Salvation Jony Hajaj jhajaj@afmonline.org

3. Islamic Worldview of Salvation • Biblical Worldview of Salvation • The Method • Contextualized Plan for Discipleship • Out Come: Transforming the Islamic worldview to a biblical shaped worldview

5. Worldview Transformation and Discipleship • “We must see worldview transformation as a point, conversion, and a process, ongoing deep disciplening” (Hiebert 2008)

6. Islamic Worldview of Salvation • Salvation in Islamic terms is najat. The verb naja occurs 62 times in various forms in the Qur’an with the meaning of to save or to escape. Most of these occurrences refer to events in the first part of the OT: 11 times to the deliverance of Moses and the Children of Israel from Pharoah (Q 2:49, 50; 7:141 (x2); 10:86, 92; 14:6; 20:80; 26:66; 37:115; 44:30); eight times to Noah’s escaping the flood ‘Great Calamity’(Q. 7:64; 10:73; 21:76; 23:28; 26:118, 119; 29:15; 37:76); eight times to Lot’s deliverance “from the town which practised abomination”(Q. 7:83; 21:74; 26:169, 170; 27:57; 29:32; 37:134; 54:34); eight times to various characters (Moses 20:40; 28:21, 25; Abraham 21:71, 29:24; Joseph’s cellmate 12:42,45; Pharoah’s wife 66:11), five times to apostles in general and those who believed with them (Q. 10:103; 11:116; 12:110; 21:9; 41:17); seven references are to deliverance from dangers of sea and land, (Q. 6:63, 64; 10:22,23; 17:63, 29:65; 31:31) and one from the ways of evil people (7:89). Finally, naja is used four times with reference to the future—all of them to the Day of Judgment (19:72; 39:61; 61:10-14; 70:14). And the one occurrence of the verb najat (40:41) also refers to the Day of Judgment

7. Islamic Worldview of Salvation • Salvation in Islam is a very different concept.  While it does offer deliverance from the fires of hell, it also   rejects some of the basic principles of Christianity and states clearly that salvation is attained only through submission to the most merciful, God (Qur’an 3:191). • Making mistakes, falling short in our obedience to God, forgetting, and committing sins are all part of the imperfect nature of humankind.  No human being is free from sin, no matter how good we appear to be and every human being needs God’s forgiveness. • Whenever a person commits a sin, he alone is responsible for that sin.  Every person is responsible for his or her own actions.  Consequently, no human being who has ever lived is responsible for the mistakes made by Adam and Eve.  (Qur’an 35:18)

8. Islamic Worldview of Salvation • Salvation in Islam is not required because of the stain of original sin. Salvation is required because humankind is imperfect and in need of God’s forgiveness and love. To understand the concept of salvation correctly we must understand other topics embedded in salvation.  These are, understanding the importance of tawheed, or the Oneness of God, and knowing how to repent sincerely. • Forgiveness emanates from the One True God (Allah); so, when a person seeks forgiveness, he must turn to God submissively with true remorse and ask for forgiveness, promising not to repeat the sin. • In Qur’an, there is only one unforgiveable sin, Shirk and that is if one dies having associated partners with God and did not repent from it before his death, (Qur’an 4:48). However, even the grave sin of associating partners with God can be forgiven if one truly turns to God, sincerely and with full repentance (Quran 20:82), (Qur’an 8:38). • According to Islam we don’t need a redeemer but guidance.

9. Biblical Worldview of Salvation • Paul talked about Peter’s commission of the “gospel for the Jew” and his own commission of the “gospel for the Gentile” (Galatians 2:7), so also do we need a gospel presentation that is tailored to the questions Muslims are asking. There is ONE GOSPEL by which both Muslim and non-Muslim must be saved, but it must at times be expressed differently so that each can more readily grasp it “gospel for the Muslim”. • Three words describe the current Western approach to the gospel: formula, forgiveness, and death. We present the gospel as a formula, a series of propositions about God, which addresses our need for forgiveness from guilt, and which summarizes the means of attaining that forgiveness, the death of Jesus.

10. Biblical Worldview of Salvation • Instead of presenting the truth of the gospel as a formula, we simply to let the story of Scriptures unfold. Muslims rarely come to faith in Christ through apologetic arguments and dogmatic proof-texting, but they often come to faith in Christ by studying the major stories of the (Bible - Qur’an) and encountering the gospel there. (HEAD) • Instead of presenting the work of Christ in terms of forgiveness, we can emphasize the cleansing power of the gospel. Muslims understand the need for purification; they undergo a process of ritual cleansing, called wudu, every time they pray. Such a cleansing is only external, but Christ offers wudu for the soul. (HEART) • Instead of presenting the death of Christ merely as a point of weakness, we should point to the victory inherent in Christ’s work on the cross. Every time Muslims pray, they say that God is the “most powerful” and the “most merciful.” (HAND)

11. The Method • Muslims worldwide of whom come to faith in Christ consistently identify one or both of these factors leading to their conversion: • They see the love in a Christian community.The Muslim community, or ummah, is close-knit, but it is built on shame and reciprocity. Those who leave the ummah face ostracism, persecution, or even death. Christians can offer an alternative community, one founded on grace, acceptance, and forgiveness. Most Muslims have never seen this, even in their own families. • They are visited with a supernatural dream or vision.I have seen too many Muslims come to faith because of dreams and visions. For whatever reason, God often uses supernatural dreams to push Muslims to investigate Jesus, to find a Christian, or to read the Bible.

12. a. Individual discipling • Building trust in the Bible • b. Small groups – supporting small group • Through story telling (Oral Community) – Inductive Bible Study • C. The Role of the Messiah in the Plan of Salvationthrough signs • Story of Adam • Story of Noah • The Story Ibrahim • Story of Moses • Story of David • Story of Isa

13. The use of Signs: • “This is the path of thy Lord, a straight path. We have detailed the Signs for those who receive admonition.” (Sura 6:126)

14. What is the result of rejecting God’s Signs? Sura7:36 “But those who reject Our Signs and treat them with arrogance,--they are Companions of Fire, to dwell therein (forever).” Sura7:40 “To those who reject Our Signs and treat them with arrogance, no opening will there be of the gates of heaven, nor will they enter the garden until the camel can pass through the eye of the needle.” Sura7:9 “Those whose scale will be light will find their souls in perdition for that they wrongfully treated (suppressed) Our Signs.”

15. Seven Special SIGNS were given to seven major Prophets. A. The first two show us what God will do for us. 1. Garment of Righteousness...Adam 2. The Ark...Noh B. The next two show us how God will do this work. 1. Circumcision...Ibraham 2. Protection...Mosa C. The last three Signs show us through whom God will do this work. 1. The Psalms...Dawoud 2. The Sign of Jonah...Younan 3. Jesus the Messiah...Isa

16. Muhammad Adam Noah Abraham Moses David Jonah John Jesus provision sacrifice It is Jesus Respond personally Descen-dant of David Resur-rected from the dead You missed him. now Mes-siah Jews rejected him and were lost

17. Contextualized Plan for Discipleship • a. Intentional Relationships for the purpose of building trust. • Be courteous and loving. • Reflect interest in their beliefs. Allow them time to articulate their views. • Be acquainted with their basic beliefs. • Be willing to examine passages of the Qur’an concerning their beliefs causing confusion. • Stick to the cardinal doctrines of the biblical faith but also take time to respond to all sincere questions. • Point out the centrality of the person and work of Jesus Christ for salvation. • Stress that because of Jesus, His cross, and resurrection, one may have the full assurance of salvation, both now and for eternity (1 John 5:13). • Share the plan of salvation with Muslims. Point out that salvation is God’s and not to be earned. • Pray for the fullness and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Trust Him to provide wisdom and grace. • Be willing to become a friend and a personal mentor to Muslims.

18. Contextualized Plan for Discipleship • a. Intentional Relationships for the purpose of building trust. • b. Determine how they learn and grow… through story telling. HEAD • c. Connecting them with mature believers … community.HEART • d. Help them to be part of a ministry. HAND • e. Leading others – discipleship is never finished. • Love • Obedience Out Come: Transforming the Islamic worldview to a biblical shaped worldview. • The Bible, from cover to cover, is the story of a victorious God who cleanses us so that we might live with Him. • This should humble us and remind us that the power for salvation comes from God alone. When we do not know what else to do, we ought to pray. Pray for Muslim. Pray with them as well. Then stand back and give God a chance to work in their lives.

20. TM Reaching the Unreached