Introduction
THIS IS A TEACHER'S TEXTBOOK
AND NOT A DO-IT-YOURSELF MANUAL!
A textbook is not to be read as another book. Its content has to be really worked through to be fully understood.
It supplies the Muslim Evangelism trainer with comprehensive, yet basic information. He has to scrutinize this information and select his specific teaching materials. This should be adjusted to the students, the situation in which they are likely to work and the type of Muslims they are likely to meet. Anyone who likes to read the content in more detail in book form should order our teaching books. (The Great Commission,You and the Muslims; Christians Answer Muslims; Christians Ask Muslims)
Some repetitions have been unavoidable. These are done for emphasis, or because they relate to different subjects as well. Whoever wants to intelligently and understandably share the Gospel with a Muslim friend should have a basic knowledge of Islam. It is also good for us to know how Islam views Christianity and Christians. We need to understand the Muslims' world view, their perception of religion and some cultural aspects, for these factors determine decisively our communication. There are practical forms of how to present the Gospel, the good news, to this specific group of people.
These notes do not supply quick answers, nor do they promise instant results. Love and patience are needed, in Muslim evangelism especially.
THE "WHAT" AND THE "HOW" OF MUSLIM EVANGELISM
It is necessary to be aware of these two components. The "what" is factual knowledge, the content of what Islam is, how a Muslim perceives his own religion and the Christian faith etc. Some of this is highly sensitive material and if used wrongly may cause harm, and a closed door. Even so we will have to know in order to understand Islam and Muslims and their world better. In our contacts with Muslims we found that there may be a time and occasion when some of this sensitive knowledge may have to be shared with them.
We also will have to look at the "how" part. How to share what we ought to share is a most important aspect, which will need a lot of empathetic consideration and must not be taken lightly.
Let us be mindful of the example given by the missionaries of the early church:
"We do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God."
2. Cor. 4: 2