Studying Islam and Engaging Muslims: Some Things to Know and Where to Learn It

Abstract

<!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> Since 9/11, the subject if Islam has been thrust into the spotlight before a bewildered Western world.  Just a few years prior to that tragic event I had struggled to get my friends at church to understand why I would want to pack up with my pregnant wife and our 10 month old son and move to a country that describes itself as an Islamic nation. Few people that I knew here in what is called the Bible-belt had any real understanding of what Islam teaches, and even less desire to learn.  Nevertheless, we moved into that context for just over a year, interacting with people whose beliefs I had only previous read about in books.  I quickly learned that Islam is no neatly defined theological system that can be adequately summarized with Five Pillars.  As I worked and ministered among the people I came to understand that not even the categories of Sunni and Shia could tell me what was going through their minds.  I remember trying to write home and share with folks here in America what life was like in that culturally distant land.  It was a struggle because at that time few Americans even cared to know.  It took a while, but at some mysterious point in our journey we moved beyond just studying a people to loving individuals.  And it was at that point that our ministry among them became modestly fruitful.  Due to a family health issue we were forced to move back to the USA before our term there was completed.  But it was not before we saw several men confess their need for Jesus giving a bold profession of faith in the presence of their community.