Posted on 12/26/2014 8:07:31 PM PST by redleghunter
Atrocities by the Islamic State (ISIS) are softening the hearts of Muslims to Christianity, and evangelistic techniques and technologies are proving effective, but locally-based missionaries say the main reason for the spike in conversions in the Middle East is simply that former Muslims are finding God is real.
In war-torn areas of Syria and Iraq where ISIS is fighting to establish a caliphate, Muslim refugees to neighboring countries, Internally Displaced People and people remaining at home are learning about Christ from native aid workers, podcasts and broadcasts. Tent churches among refugees are sprouting like mushrooms. For people who have suffered such deep loss, seeing that they can pray to a personal God whom they can call Father has been the critical factor. “You can see the tears in their eyes when we pray – that God would care,” said the director of one ministry working in the region. “It’s the connection that makes a huge difference.”
Muslims who were previously taught to pray by rote to Allah, who by Koranic definition was unknowable, can feel the difference of having a relationship with God through Christ.
“They see that God can give you strength, can heal you,” said the director. “They say that things have changed, that they have a peaceful attitude towards those ‘who have done this to my kids, wife, or husband - I can pray about it and give it to God.’”
Former Muslims, who once prayed five times a day as a duty, say they don’t quite know how to describe the difference.
(Excerpt) Read more at christianaid.org ...
I guess even many muslims are unable to stomach what these animals are doing.
Scant news on the efforts of Christians bringing aid and the Gospel to Iraq.
I think of those children who were ordered to convert to Islam and chose Jesus instead....that says it all.
Converting to “Christ” in a literal sense does not mean one gives up being a Muslim, since Jesus is called “Messiah” (Christ) several times in the Koran. Abandoning Islam in favor of Christianity is another thing, of course, since Islam insists that Jesus is not the Son of God and even claims that Jesus will deny being God’s son in the Islamic version of the final judgment.
I believe the article depicts examples of hearts changed. Those who minister in that region have experience with your concerns.
Ping
link: http://www.christianaid.org/News/2014/mir20141204.aspx
Spreading the Good News is indeed good news.
That’s correct. But just saying “converting to Christ” as in the title can be misconstrued since the Koran also calls Jesus the Christ, although that’s a very different Jesus.
God has turned evil to good throughout history. The same can be done with the evil of ISIS.
I do understand your point and concern. I have a missionary friend who has ME experience (not Iraq) and reported such to me.
They first address the Muslim understanding of Jesus so the hearer knows the truth coming next.
“Converting to “Christ” in a literal sense does not mean one gives up being a Muslim,”
What? If you convert to Christ, you are a Christian. Even Muslims understand they can’t believe Christ IS GOD and still be Muslim since Islam DENIES the Trinity.
The Assemblies of God have missionaries who have personal experience with the Muslim culture and know how to minister to Muslims in an effective, soul-winning way.
Not all Muslims are going to understand that right away. They would reject “converting” to the “Son of God” version that the Koran preaches about, but being part of Islam (or converting to it) means that they are part of the message of Mohammaed that alleges going back through Abraham and Moses, which includes the Koran’s version of the Christ as one of the so-called prophets of Allah.
Thank you. Love those verses.
Yep! He has foiled the devil's plans so many times it makes me wonder why Satan keeps on trying. One of the main reasons Christianity spread so quickly through the ancient world was because of the intense persecution Christians suffered. It truly separated the genuine from the posers and people who were sincerely seeking to know the truth couldn't help but see real faith in action.
All but one Apostle died a gruesome martyrs' death rather than deny the risen Christ they saw with their OWN eyes, talked with, ate with, witnessed miracles and continued to learn from for forty days after His resurrection. Jesus told Thomas, "Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed." (John 20:29). That blessing comes in the form of renewed strength and a faith that grows the more it is tested. There is POWER in the gospel!
Agree. Once the Nature of Jesus Christ is realized and believed, the person is no longer Muslim and subject to family honor killing.
Muslims coming to Christ Jesus is punishable by death. The wheat is a lot more discerning than the tares in such an environment.
All deception has an element of truth in it, or it could not deceive. The key being Christ was the “Savior” and not just a prophet.
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