convey their Christian theological meaning at the first glance to the interlocutor.
Guard against any misunderstanding on his part. Use his own theological terms as far as
possible, making quite sure that you fully understand them.
Whenever your opponent quotes and founds an argument upon any passage in the Bible,
make a point of turning to that passage (in the original, if possible) and ascertaining
from the context exactly what is said and what is meant. Do not rely upon memory.
This is of the utmost importance. To read the verse aloud with the context will often
afford a complete reply to the difficulty which has been mooted. The same plan might
profitably be applied to the Qur'an, which must be quoted in the original.
9. Remember that although, generally speaking, the Bible, being an Oriental book, is
more readily understood in some respects by Orientals than by Europeans, yet passages
which to us present no difficulty to an Oriental occasionally require explanation. E.g.,
in Persia a very intelligent Kurdish convert asked me the meaning of Isa. i. 18,
"Though your sins be . . . red like crimson, they shall be as wool." His
difficulty is readily understood when we remember that in Persia most sheep are black.
I once found a Persian of some learning under the impression that John the Baptist (Yahya')
was Yahya' ibn Barmak, the noted minister of Harunu 'r Rashi. In India the expression
(Matt.