Customer Reviews

Muslims, Christians, and Jesus: Gaining Understanding and Building Relationships

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There are several good lessons to be learned in reading Carl Medaris' opus on the Muslim faith as it relates to Christianity. He stresses the importance of respecting others intellectually even when their concept of God differs from yours and the concept that perhaps viewing missionary work as scoring points with conversions might not be the best way to bring Jesus to the Muslim world.

There is, however, an important issue to consider when reading Carl's book. The book goes to great lengths to bring understanding and acceptance of Islam to Christian readers, often to the point of encouraging Christians to attend mosque or to read the Koran("Its a good book", writes Carl. "It mostly agrees with the bible.). In and of itself, these lessons aren't dangerous or even particularly bad; however, reading the book it is entirely unclear whether Carl thinks of Islam as being any less true than or even distinct from Christianity.

All of Carl's examples of sharing his faith with Muslims carry a tone of "Hey, You guys already believe in Jesus. He doesn't clash with what you believe, even in the slightest!". None of his examples, however, show any Muslim ever coming to a distinct faith in Christ. Near the end of the book, he brags about an important man he led to a closer understanding of Christ, and then in the next breath tells us that the man still identifies himself as a muslim, but one that likes Jesus a little bit more than most.

I agree with Carl that many Christians come to Muslims out of a place of anger or arrogance, and that an effort to foster a better understanding of Muslim beliefs and culture is in order. I also agree that time and relationships are extremely important if you want someone to respect what you can tell them about God.

In the end, I think there is value in this book, and that it is a perspective that deserves to be read. However, if bringing Muslims to a distinct faith in Christ is important to you, its important to understand that this book doesn't devote much time to that. The book goes to great length to explain the good in Islam, but Carl never mentions a Muslim who is brought to Christianity in a "born again" sense, and seems to be completely fine with this. Carl has apparently decided that a Muslim need not reject Muhammad or Islam's concept of God to be Christian, and tries in a none-too-subtle to lead his reader to the same conclusion. He justifies this view by explaining that to do so, a Muslim would have to lose the respect of his peers and perhaps be persecuted for his faith.

While to some Christians Carl's views will be perfectly acceptable, to some in the "he came as a sword" camp they will not be. I just thought it important to bring up the distiction.

I'm venturing into the world of reviewing because this book is worth it! Carl's insight into evangelism and discipleship as simply pointing people to Jesus and developing real genuine loving friendships has application well beyond Muslim culture. In fact, while I have certainly gained new perspective and understanding into Muslim culture, I primarly read the book for the broader insight that Carl brings and was not disappointed. It is an easy and enjoyable read, with a good mix of stories, insights and facts about Muslim life and belief with tested advice on how to best approach loving them and helping them to see Jesus more clearly (and seeing Him more clearly ourselves in the process!). Enjoy!

Two days ago our mail carrier delivered Carl Medearis' book, "Muslim, Christians, and Jesus." I had a few minutes before supper so I opened it thinking I would look at a few paragraphs. I got sucked in! Twenty-four hours later I finished it. It is truly a delightful and hope-filled book.

When I first met Carl three years ago the first thing I noticed was his twinkling-eye smile. His obvious open and genuine love is contagious. I have seen it happen with Muslims and non-Muslims alike. That genuineness is accurately reflected in the book.

In "Muslims, Christians, and Jesus" Carl covers not only the basics of what Muslims believe but he also loads it with personal stories. There is the smell of gun smoke reality on every page. He covers what the Qur'an says about Jesus, women in Islam, answering common questions, and even how Jesus interacted with jihad. Throughout its pages, the centrality of Jesus is paramount.

My favorite story in the book is when Carl roared into an Iraqi village and ... Nope - I don't want to give it away before you read it. Even if there weren't other fabulous material the stories alone are worth the price of admission. Whatever you do, GET IT, READ IT, and PASS IT ON to others! You won't regret it.

Edward J. Hoskins, MD, PhD
Author - A Muslim's Heart

Carl Medearis' book could be titled, "Finally a reasonable voice from a Christian about Muslim / Christian relations." When much of the literature either errs to the theological left ("Can't we all just get along since all religions are the same anyways") or to the right where we often confuse Muslims with the 'enemy' of our faith (who is not, by the way, Mohammad!), the book reads like you're sitting at coffee with a friend, only that friend has a wealth of personal experience, having lived for years in Beirut among the Muslims. A must read for anyone serious about reaching out to Muslims in an effective way.

Muslims, Christians and Jesus is well written, a good read and presents an enticing argument. It provides some good ways of talking to Muslims and sharing Jesus with them, although I believe it leaves out bits and pieces of the gospel. In the book you are encouraged not to get stuck on trying to explain things like the trinity and yet the trinity is a central piece of the gospel and by looking over it one leaves a gaping hole in the message we are called to proclaim. By compromising the gospel message you compromise the understanding of those you tell it to. Never does the gospel need to be changed in order to "fit" a certain culture! Paul says in Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." The gospel is the power God. We limit God by believing we need to adjust the gospel in order to make it relevant to all men. From the beginning the gospel has been completely applicable and relevant to all people of all ages throughout the generations.
I would encourage those who read this book (and those who don't) to read "The Gospel for Muslims: An Encouragement to Share Christ with Confidence" by Thabiti Anyabwile because he drives home this point and many others much better than I.

I have read as many good books regarding Muslim/Christian relations as bad. This is simply one of the best. It is as concise as it is clear. This book is extremely practical in its premise and offers enough history and religious context to begin that necessary dialogue. But what is the point? The point is always very clearly to move beyond dialogue into a relationship...into a relationship where Jesus, the saviour of all humanity, is to be found.

It is the prayer of Carl Medearis that his book "Muslims, Christians, and Jesus" will help the reader see Jesus more clearly, that He will become more tangible, and in some way more accessible, less theoretical less mystical and more practical. It is his desire that the book will help the readers gain new insight, more compassion, and a greater faith, as they share their life as a follower of Christ. He also trusts that they will see Muslims as Jesus always saw people; interacting at their point of need.

Many chapters end with a section entitled "A Christ-like Perspective." These perspectives stirred me as I examined my own heart and motives in light of the life and example of Jesus. Another feature is called "A Story of Faith." These stories are from Carl's own experiences in being a friend to a Muslim and the way they were often multiplied into fruitful endeavors that extended beyond the incident itself.

I appreciated the fact that the chapter title clearly state the material to be covered. In a logical and orderly progress Medearis covered such topics as the foundation of Islam, their articles of faith, angels, the Holy Books of Muslims, the prophets, judgment day, and predestination.

Carl discussed the five pillar of Islam, which include: The testimony, the fast, giving, prayer, and pilgrimage. He devotes one chapter to a comparison of passages from the Qur'an and the New Testament.

The main thrust of Carl's message is to awake the Western Christian to overcome fear with love as he introduces Muslims who follow Jesus. He provides a Christ-like perspective on how to reach out in genuine love to our Muslim neighbors.

Medearis' twenty-five years of first hand experiences well qualify him to author this compelling, practical message. The message of "Muslims, Christians, and Jesus" is simple, yet profound. An engaging read.

While the world around us is intent on political ends, the alternative goal of Christianity is one of redemption. At times there are those in the political realm who would attempt to diminish or misrepresent our access and efforts. At other times it is just our lack of knowledge of God's will for the advance of the Gospel. (Romans 10:14)

In our American approach we spend a lot of time preaching and treating people as targets. That is a method which not only does not work in the Muslim world, but even worse, it would create animosity and destroy a person's ability to persuade (Gal 1:10). In the Muslim world the Gospel is only effectively spread through relationships.

In these relationships we must not only show relationship respect but belief respect. Understand Islam, treating the Qu'ran with respect, and other important concerns.

Carl Medearis presents a quality case for sensitive evangelical persuasion. It is an approach that does not compromise the gospel but makes it effective in a context that most of us would avoid.

But this is not only about the mission field. This is about living and working in the United States where the Muslim population is growing. This is about making the Gospel real where the lies of Golden Compass and The Davinci Code would make Christianity into something else. The truth is both lived and verbally communicated when it is most effective.

Get the book. Use it in your local church for improving your evangelism training.

So much of our training about sharing Jesus with others has an artificial, even adversarial tone. This book strikes a different and refreshing note. You might not agree (at first) with everything Carl says but you can't afford to ignore his message.

I also heard about this book at Harvard, and was surprised to encounter it. It wasn't assigned by the main professor of the class. A grad student lecturer brought copies. I'm sad to say that I've never read anything like this in any of my other classes. Muslims, Christians, and Jesus has blunted some of my deep-seeded stereotypes toward Christians, and some of my stereotypes toward Muslims too.

Mr. Medearis is a capable storyteller. He writes from what seems to be a sincere love for Muslims as people, a love that grows out of his understanding of the teachings of Jesus. I was also surprised that Mr. Medearis didn't stake out a position on the Israel/Palestine issue. He just keeps talking about Jesus' teachings as the answer to the world's problems, and a lot of Muslims seem to be nodding their heads in agreement. If more Muslims and Christians read and applied the principles in this book, there would be a lot less suffering in the world. Maybe the Jews and the Hindus should get in on the action. Press on, Mr. Medearis.