What should I do differently on Muslim soil? Biblical fidelity demands that I preach Christ and him crucified. But Muslims have no category for a crucified Savior. Then again, neither did the Jews, even Christ's own disciples. The Greeks thought that a crucified God was lunacy, yet apostolic gospel proclamation was resolutely and stubbornly cross-shaped. The apostle Paul writes,
For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. (1 Co 1:21-25)As I think ahead to pastoring an evangelical church in Sharjah, the United Arab Emirates, hailed as the capital of Islamic culture in the Arab world, I must admit my flesh is pulled in many different directions. I am tempted to think that my temptations are special. I am tempted to think that this context is special and that my task is unique, possibly revolutionary. The battle rages within my mind. So I draw near to the throne of grace with confidence, that I may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Keep reading
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