Muslims, Christians, and Jesus

Muslims, Christians, and Jesus
by Carl Medearis


In light of events in our country and around the world in the last decade I was curious to learn more about Islam, what it teaches and how to reach out to those in our country who are Muslim. I do not agree with the idea that they are our or even Israel's enemies, not as a whole. This book is a great tool for any Christian. I was challenged not just in my thinking about Muslims but also in how I approach evangelism in general.


First of all I learned many things about Islam that I did not know. I had no idea there were so many similarities between what the Qur'an says and what the Bible says. Obviously there are some major differences but Medaris focuses on the similarities seldom mentioned. It's a great starting point for conversation to start on common ground. The most common ground we actually share with Muslims is our faith in God and love for Jesus. He stresses again and again about bringing it always back to Jesus. He is highly respected by Muslims and most, according to Medearis, are open to talking and learning more about His life. It's a great reminder that we are not the converters. God draws people to Himself. God does the heart changing and saving, not us. 


I think the biggest challenge for me personally is the fact that I am not called to save people or even teach people the bible per say. I am called to love God and love others. I do want to share Jesus with people because I want them to have the hope I have and I want them to go to heaven because hell is going to be no fun. However, I should not go into relationships with the hope that they one day will become a Christian. If they do, great, if not, that is not my choice. If I love God with everything and love others with all Christ gives me and let His love flow through me it will make a difference. Of course that would mean sharing Jesus when the opportunity arises, but not forcing it. I think sometimes I put too much pressure on myself to share, to share to share. But really I just need to love, to love, to love. 


Whether it's Muslims, or co-workers, or neighbors or family or whoever. We are called to love those around us. I know it's such a simple concept. You'd think it would be easy to grasp. But as Christians and churches I think we put too much emphasis on "saving" people and not enough emphasis on actually proactively loving people. I probably heard this from someone else so I can't take credit but it was something to the effect of "Nobody cares about what you have to say until they know you care about them." 


So getting back to the book...It's a great read for tips on conversing with Muslims as well as sharing Jesus in general. My challenge to myself and to you is to love people better. There is no way you can ever love too much! "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." -Galatians 5: 22-23 

The Lost World

The Lost World

by Michael Crichton

More dinosaurs and more carnage. Although I will say that this book did not start out quite as grotesque as Jurassic Park. This book discussed the scientific theories for the extinction of dinosaurs. Of course no definitive answer was given since that is still unknown to us.

The “chase” if you will did not really ensue until halfway or more through the book. But then I was hanging on for another wild ride. It did hold my attention and keep me turning the pages but I don’t think much more inventive can be done with dinosaur and human encounters. Bad idea. I got it. 

Overall, it kept my attention but I would say it was rather redundant in many capacities. It was definitely an extension of the first book and did shed some light on issues from that book. Take it or leave it.

Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger

Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger
by Ronald J. Sider


This topic is one that I have personally been struggling with for a while now. I know it's ok to enjoy God's blessings, but when do we start enjoying too much and not giving enough? How do you determine the balance? How can I enjoy a meal out when I know that the price it cost me for one meal could have fed a child for a month or longer? These are just some of the questions I have been asking myself.

This book explored some of those topics but more dealt with specifics of why the author believes so many hungry and poor exist, what wealthy countries should be doing about it, economic policies that need to be changed and what we as individuals should be doing to help. It read more like a text book and was actually a challenge for me to get through because of that. The beginning kept my attention, the middle was the biggest struggle and the last chapter was very practical.

For starters, we in the west are affluent. This is not news to me. Comparatively we are as rich as Bill Gates to most of the world's population. And our culture is a culture of materialism and hoarding. I just think of the tv shows and news articles that have been circulating recently about the people who hoard and how much damage it does. Most of us are not like that but nonetheless we fall prey to the enticing world around us. "You need this. You deserve this. Don't wait. You can buy it now." Commercials and advertising drive me crazy. Maybe that's my communications degree but I tend to analyze them as I watch, sometimes even going so far as to yell at the tv. "That is so not true!"

Moving on from the knowledge I already had, the author did bring up some great things I never thought about in regards to the way God would have us deal with wealth distribution as a society. He spoke of the year of Jubilee mentioned in Leviticus when land would be returned to the original owners every 50 years. It's definitely a cool thought. God knew what he was doing when he made the rules. It's a shame we don't follow them. God allowed for consequences and mistakes, but there was always grace. Everyone had a chance to make a living.

Of course he addressed the main issue I have been struggling with and that is enjoying the blessings of God. Basically it comes down to a generous spirit. We should most definitely enjoy what God has given to us and be thankful to Him for His good gifts. At the same time we need to recognize that the gifts are not God Himself. We should be willing and ready to give them all back to God should He ask us to. Also we should do what we can with what we've been given (time, talents gifts) to give what we can to aid the poor and needy.

It's not always easy to "give up" the things we deem necessary for comfortable living in order to be generous. However, God did not call us to be comfortable. He did call us to take care of widows and orphans and the poor. How can we show the world God's love if can't get past ourselves? With Jesus as our model we need to follow. He gave His time, His talents and His life to show His love. We should do the same.