A “Good News” Strategy
Relating to Muslims while Undermining Radical Islam
By Mark Siljander, fm U.S. Congressman
ADeadlyMisunderstanding.com
"The gospel did not come to you in word
only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and
with full conviction." I Thessalonians 1:5
There have been hundreds of well-intended books,
articles, emails, and videos condemning Islam, often
from Christian authors. They warn us that “radical
Islam” is intent on dominating the world, destroying
Israel and our Western way of life. While I will not
debate their findings, we must realize these tactics
operate from a “bad news” spirit of fear. Meanwhile,
the Bible tells us not to fear 200 times. Modern-day
Jesus-followers can and should be helping each other
discover how to more effectively communicate truly
Good News!
The actual and historical distance between
Christians and Muslims exacerbates the problem. Much
is lost when attempting to communicate across
cultures. You have much more shared history and
understanding with a family member than with a
stranger. How vast the potential for
misunderstanding between people, often
continents away from each other, each with their own
history and worldview.
I am often challenged when I read Jesus’ teaching
regarding love of neighbor. The lawyer in Luke 10
wished to justify his actions when he asked Jesus
who his neighbor was. Instead, Jesus' story of the
merciful Samaritan showed that everyone is my
neighbor. The bottom line in loving is to show
mercy.
What does this mean for the body of Christ as we
discern how to respond to those of Muslim faith?1
Certainly there is much to discuss. I’ve outlined a
few points below that I would like to add to this
much-needed discussion. Please join me in walking
towards a rejuvenated Biblical strategy that
embraces the hope and love proclaimed in the
Good News–one that casts out fear.2
Biblical prophecy about Muslims
An unnoticed prophecy in Isaiah 19:23-25 suggests
that in the end-times Jews and Muslims will be a
“blessing” and believe in the true path ( or way) to
God.
In that day (coming of the Messiah)3 there shall be
a highway (a spiritual path to God) from Egypt
(including Sudan) to Assyria (the entire Middle
East)…. Israel shall be the third with Egyptians and
with Assyrians, even a blessing in the midst of the
land. Whom the Lord of hosts shall bless, saying,
Blessed be Egypt my people and Assyria the work of
my hands and Israel my heritage.4
This verse should encourage at least a reevaluation
of strategy on how Christians should deal with
Islam. Prayerfully consider the following action
items.
First: Muslims Are Struggling for Peace.
Pray for the Lord to shape our attitude toward
Islam.
A huge percentage of Muslims cannot read and
understand the “official” Arabic version of the
Qur’an, leaving many alienated Muslims vulnerable to
militant interpretations. Some of these
interpretations promote absurdities such as forced
implementation of extreme views of Shariah Law,
Muslim on Muslim bloodlust in Iraq, violent and
twisted understanding of “jihad” and more.
While the radical element is only 7%,5 it is
growing and the peaceful majority in Islam yet
struggles to counter these violent interpretations
of Qur’anic verses. Unfortunately, Christian “bad
news” advocates select these same verses, take them
out of context like the radicals, and denounce Islam
as a whole, instilling fear in Christians.
Would it not be more logical and consistent with the
teachings of Jesus to support the peaceful majority?
These Muslims are strenuously arguing the so called
violent verses in the Qur’an are: 1) not meant for
today, but rather, apply to a very specific
historical event that occurred when they were
written, 1,400
years ago, 2) are metaphorical or 3) are flatly a
misinterpretation.
Quite frankly, there are many violent verses
throughout the Bible. If they, too, were taken out
of their historical and metaphorical context they
would sound as violent as the Qur’anic verses that
the militants misuse today.
A Time of Reformation
Most religious movements have had their Dark Ages;
Christianity’s abhorrent interpretation of Bible
verses contributed to the Crusades, Inquisitions,
European pogroms against Jews, bloody
Catholic/non-Catholic wars, etc. Christianity later
entered periods of enlightenment and reassessment.
Critical factors have lined up for Islam, as it is
now at what author Malcolm Gladwell calls, a
“Tipping Point.”
Ali Khan, of Washington University School of Law,
reinforces the movement towards reform inside Islam:
Mainstream Muslim scholars and jurists from
across the world seem to have reached a
near-consensus that, although [the Qur’an and Sunna]
cannot be abandoned, [they] must be re-interpreted
to establish legal systems that respect
[classical…jurisprudence] but also incorporate
change.6
As Joel Rosenberg attests, Muslims in huge numbers
are dreaming and seeing visions of Jesus, helping
forge an unprecedented Messianic spiritual awakening
within Islam in the millions.7 This, along with the
post-9/11 exasperation of having their religion
associated with radicalism, is helping to instigate
a reformation of sorts and presents an opportunity
for intentional back up from Christians.
Second: Change our Religious Conversion
Strategy to the Good News.
Undermining the radical threat is not beyond the
reach of Jesus. He said, “When you hear of wars and
revolutions, do not be afraid…” (Luke 21:9). Getting
overly hung up on advancing Western style
Christianity through bad news fear detracts from the
purity and power of the Good News, simply presented
as “the person of Jesus.” Paradoxically, I have
found Muslims consistently attracted to Jesus the
Anointed One8 but repelled by the Western
Christianity they view as laden with broken family
structures.9
My friend and former California mega-church pastor
Tim Timmons points out,
How unattractive and off message is the
present-day negativity. This negative spirit is
filled with condemnation, exclusivity and a certain
amount of pride…
Perhaps we could use a fresh dose of reevaluating
our religious traditions. Jesus challenged his
followers to connect and love those they would
otherwise ignore. As Christians, we should approach
our Muslims neighbors with that same admonition in
mind. The Good News strategy should not set out to
change cultures or religions, but to first “love
your neighbor as yourself,” and let the Spirit do
the rest. And the Lord added to their number day by
day those who were being saved (Acts 2:47). What
would this look like in practice?
Third: A few can make a significant
difference.
If a small, fanatical, committed minority of Muslims
can profoundly influence and control the many; then
a small, empowered minority committed to Jesus can
also challenge the evil minority. There is historic
precedence for profound good being done by a few.
The movie Amazing Grace depicts the successful
effort of one prominent somebody, William
Wilberforce. He did what was considered
“impossible”: ridding the British Empire of slavery.
The defeat of the “Soviet Empire” by one U.S.
president was similarly impossible. Then there are
the nobodies that God raises up as somebodies like
Mother Teresa; and a carpenter and his twelve common
men who initiated the biggest “people movement” in
history.
Fourth: Help unleash a "Good News" People
Movement.
A 1st century style people movement centered on
Jesus can empower those seeking to undermine evil
with the power of the Good News.10 While it’s easier
to acquiesce to the prevalent flow of fear and
negativity, shouldn’t we take the risk and begin
praying for a few individuals like Wilberforce? The
empowered few meeting “two by two” in small groups,
as depicted in Acts 2:42, to pray, eat and
fellowship around the groundbreaking teachings of
Jesus will release inspiration to bridge the faiths.
Reaching out to our Muslim neighbors is proactive
love powered by the Spirit of God. This would do
more to transform the attitudes of those who
consider us enemies than any amount of intellectual
or religious browbeating could ever accomplish.
This Good News People Movement strategy is already
at work with cells forming in dozens of cities
across America and the world. I have witnessed
unconditional love in Jesus’ name influence the
hearts of “kings,” inspire resolutions in hopeless
international political situations, and even help
forge Muslim and Christian spiritual renewal
movements.
If we change attitudes and support peace-seeking
Muslims and their interpretation of the Qur’an, and
trust and respond to the work of the Holy Spirit,
Muslim militancy can be crushed from within,
nurturing an age of reform.
One way to begin is by forming a discussion group,
eventually including Muslims for conversations
seeking the common ground between the faiths,
centered on the Good News, Jesus.11 Your network is
also a place to start passing on the Good News of
hope. Together, let us find a fresh strategy that
helps fulfill the Biblical prophecy that Muslims too
are God’s “people,” the “work of His hands.” You can
be instrumental in undermining hate, violence and
extremism.
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for
it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who
believes, first the Jew then the Gentile (Christians
& Muslims)." Romans 1:16 (Isaiah 19:23-25)
1 For more information please request the paper
“Discovering True Conversion:
Surrendering/Discipleship”
2 “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts
out fear, because fear is tormenting. He who fears
is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18
3 See examples for “In that day” meaning the coming
of the Messiah: Zachariah 13:5, 14:4, Amos 8:9, Joel
3:18.
4 Also See Gen 17:20, God’s blessings on Ishmael
(Hebrew for “God hears”) and his 12 tribes.
5 Groundbreaking six-year Gallup poll ending in
2008, with tens of thousands of interviews in 35
Muslim nations, as well as smaller populations in
Europe and the USA with a plus or minus accuracy of
3%. John Esposito and Dalia Mogahed, Who Speaks for
Islam, What A Billion Muslims Really Think, (Gallup
Press, 2008).
http://www.npr.org/templates/player/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=87860378&m=87860368
6 Ali Khan, “The Second Era of Islamic Creativity,”
University of St. Thomas Law Journal 1 (2003), 341
(http://ssrn.com/abstract=935607).
7 Joel Rosenberg, Inside the Revolution,
http://www.insidetherevolution.org/itr_trailer.asp
(Aug. 31, 2009).
8 See Luke 4:18-19 “The Spirit of the Lord is
upon me…”
9 Esposito. (See footnote #5)
10 This does not oppose other traditional tactics.
Our government must act to ensure the nation’s
safety from radical assault. Our daughter is an
Airman and we support our country's military
efforts, but we “civilians” are called to care for
the foreigners in our midst, enemies or otherwise.
This is the complementary Biblical approach.
11 For practical steps and better understanding,
see A Deadly Misunderstanding: A Congressman’s Quest
to Bridge the Muslim-Christian Divide by Mark
Siljander, http://www.aDeadlyMisunderstanding.com;
Muslims, Christians and Jesus by Carl Medearis;
Pilgrims of Christ on the Muslim Road: Exploring a
New Path Between Two Faiths by Paul-Gordon Chandler;
The Crescent Through the Eyes of the Cross: Insights
from an Arab Christian by Nabeel T Jabbour. Also see
excellent resources at
http://www.commonpathalliance.org
Mark Siljander is a former Republican
U.S. congressman & deputy U.S./U.N. ambassador and
author of A Deadly Misunderstanding; A Congressman’s
Quest to Bridge the Muslim-Christian Divide (Harper
One, 2008).
www.ADeadlyMisunderstanding.com