Mission Lessons From History: A Laboratory of Missiological Insights Gained from Christian-Muslim Relationships

by Lyle VanderWerff

he history of Christian-Muslim Cantine). The deserts and cities of Arabia understanding between Muslims and T relationships provides a labora- had been passed over by churches Christians from the beginning of tory from which can be drawn many les- which failed to realize the spiritual hunger Islam. Muhammad originally saw all sons for those committed to fulfill- of the predecessors and contemporar- monotheists as being co-religionists, ment of the Great Commission. The ies of Muhammad. There were Christian but in his quarrels with the Jews at church would do well to research the communities such as the Arab tribe of Medina there developed an animosity record of the centuries since A.D. 622. the Ghassanids and the Persian tribe of the which influenced outside contacts. Where in the past has the church been Lakhmids but these were barrier Muhammad made a direct appeal to effective in its witness amidst Islam and builders rather than bridges for the Gos- the Jews of Medina, considering himself where has it failed in its work of rec- pel. Likewise, there was little evi- to stand in succession of Abraham, onciling men and women to God in dence of reaching out to the Arabs by the Moses, and the prophets. Animosity Christ’s name? It is a bitter-sweet churches in Bahrain, Yemen, and increased as they rebuffed his over- record with lessons both negative and pos- Ethiopia, although it is known that some tures and he reciprocated by expelling itive. In this brief study we will seek of Muhammad’s earliest disciples them or killing their male leadership to highlight several of these lessons. embraced Christianity after fleeing to (cf. Banu Qurayzah). He charged Jews with corrupting the Scriptures where There is a need to shift from a Ethiopia. However, the heartlands of they differed with his “revelations.” confrontational or adversarial relationship Arabia received only the heretical, fringe Although Muhammad’s attitude to one of open communication and expressions of that faith, leaving towards the Jews soured, he solicited a exchange. Dialogue and witness must Muhammad still seeking. more reconciliatory stance toward replace animosity and polemics. The Because of the rapid expansion Christians and other “peoples of the Muslim world still requires a preparatio of Islam during its first century (A.D. 622 Book.” He urged his followers to evangelica to ready it for a fuller to 722 ), Muslims openly borrowed count Christians as friends (Surah 5:82). acceptance of the Gospel. We pray for a from many cultures incorporating much At first he sought to protect larger groundswell of Muslims for the into Dar Islam (House of Islam). Christian leaders and places of worship. Messiah as well as individual conversions Islam continued to draw from the relig- But as the forces of Islam expanded and the awakening of people groups. ious and cultural heritages of Syria, politically these freedoms were curtailed. While we pray and labor from the per- Egypt, North Africa, Spain, Eastern Tur- The military conquests under the first spective of Christ’s return, we must key, Armenia, Mesopotamia, Persia, four caliphs would further erode Chris- confess that it may take a hundred or Northern India, and other Asian contacts. tian-Muslim relations. Religion was thousand years. Thus pioneering mis- Although Muslim caliphs and used to sanction this expansion. Warfare sionaries must tap the insights of the past army generals were the power brokers has a way of obscuring the best of fourteen centuries as well as live who insisted upon surrender or death, intentions. Records of theological discus- expectantly. May we be granted the they soon harnessed the dhimmis (subject sions are limited. Political, economic patience of God, that is a power that and protected peoples) who paid the and military issues stole the limelight. stretches far beyond our expectations. annual tribute tax according to the Pact Muslim Arab rulers discourage fra- established by Umar. These terms of ternization, keeping their troops stationed Islam’s Formative Period subjection severely handicapped Christian in garrison towns nearby. One of the factors prompting the influence, but it was still amazing that There were some rays of light. Posi- rise of Islam was that the church had so much knowledge, religious discussion, tive Christian-Muslim communica- “Neglected Arabia” (title of a publica- and technology was transferred into tion is reported in the accounts of: John I, tion of the Reformed Church in America the House of Islam. Patriarch of Antioch; Nestorian Patri- under Samuel Zwemer and James However, there was mutual mis- arch Isho Yahb III; and Rector John of

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FRONTIER MISSIONS, VOL 11:2 APRIL 1994 76 Mission Lessons From History

Nikiu who was over the Coptic bishops. answer Muslim questions. Such argumen- cal pressure, but that millions of Chris- Christians were often courted by the tation would have crippled a sensitive tians stood their ground sacrificially. ruling caliph as their help was needed in quest for the Gospel. This reactionary Nestorian Patriarch Timothy, in his ruling this expanding dynasty. Syrian style would influence Christian- extensive correspondence (780-823), Christians had much to offer. Tribal desert Muslim communication for centuries. It reveals a commitment to mission regard- Arabs had yet to learn to manage a would take great patience to move less of the cost. He spent two days at rich cultural heritage, a heterogeneous beyond the controversial format which the court of Abbasid Caliph al-Mahdi in empire. The Umayyads would appro- Christians and Muslims borrowed 781 giving expression to a orthodox priate many Byzantine policies and prac- from Greek philosophers. A thousand faith. The Caliph commended Timothy tices at Damascus. There was a steady years and more would pass before for his meaningful theology but flow of Christian contributions helping Christian apologetics would take a more lamented his failure to accept Muhammad Muslims to shape their dream of a conversational tone. as a prophet. They differed too in better society. Trade and correspondence their discussion of the unity and trinity of benefited all parties. Emperor Leo III The Abbasid Period God. For Timothy, the Quran and writes to clarify some Muslim misunder- Many Christian leaders continued to Muhammad lacked the confirmation by standings about the Christian faith. serve as physicians, financial admin- miracles, a seal dear to Nestorians. He urges Muslims to read the whole of istrators, political advisors, etc. In turn, Other Christians like Al-Kindi (ca. 830) Scriptures, and answers the charge of Muslim rulers settled disputes were not so gracious in their dialogue corruption. He discusses the nature and between Jacobites, Marionites, and Nesto- and appeared more concerned to score work of Christ, the judgment and res- rians. Christian professors served in points against Muhammad rather than urrection, future life, and the work of the the universities at Alexandria, Baghdad, share the grace of God! Aristotelian logic Holy Spirit. Leo’s letter had a posi- Damascus, and Jerusalem. There was became a substitute for the Gospel. tive impact on Umar. As a reformer Umar a hunger for physics, astronomy, philoso- Where discussions retained a biblical would also converse with Pope Greg- phy, and literature. Classical works basis, Christian-Muslim dialogue was ory and John of Damascus. In the persons were translated from Greek and Latin into more productive. The Word of God of Umar and Gregory, one can Arabic and Syriac by men like Theo- remains a trysting place, an encounter observe the benefits resulting from sincere dore of Edessa (d. 785). It was a season of in truth. and cordial conversation. Unfortu- theological ferment. Herein is a lesson not to be lost. nately some Muslims jealous of the high Under the Abbasids, Islam and Chris- Both Christianity and Islam purport to be offices held by Christians pressured tianity were impacted by rationalism grounded in revelation. Islam Umar to restrict those who were not polit- and suffered a “hardening of the arteries.” acknowledges the authority of the Scrip- ically correct. Properties, positions, The scholastic theology of Al-Ashari tures in spite of the sometime charge and pressure tempted many to convert to (d. 936) represents an institutionalized of “corruption.” Of necessity, Muslims Islam. religion. Al-Ghazali (d. 1111) are committed to the fact that God attempted to recover an experiential faith reveals Himself and that He preserves Light from the Ummayad Period by drawing from Sufism which has what He reveals. John of Damascus (ca. 665-750) drawn on the wellsprings of Christianity, We do well to begin our conversa- exhibits some of the qualities needed but still much was to be desired. tions with the Old Testament. Chris- in effective witnesses amidst Islam. This Islam and the West became isolated from tian-Muslim dialogue must be founded on Christian held high office and served each other. Nearly a millennium what God has done. It is well to start as a personal counselor to the caliph. His would pass before exchange in the public with the basic biblical truths: creation, pen represents a knowledge of the square would allow discussion as to fall, redemption, covenant and king- Quran and Islamic beliefs, and a dialecti- the nature of God’s redemptive rule in dom. Ask the basic question of Abra- cal style influenced by Aristotle. In Christ. Christians, as dhimmis, were hamic faith: How did Abraham expe- his book on heresies, he classifies Islam protected, yet, under the millet system, rience righteousness in the sight of God as a Judeo-Christian offshoot. Sadly they struggled to survive by turning (Genesis 15:6)? Muslims as well as he moves from sympathetic scholarship to to science and technology (much as did our Jewish neighbors need to address such verbal attack. It is hard to say where Christians in China under the cultural foundational issues. It will be amaz- dialogue leaves off and debate begins. In revolution, 1966-1976). The surprise is ing how much common ground we share. his work on disputations, he describes not that many Christians became Today Christians in Europe and the a technique whereby Christians should Muslim to escape the poll-tax and politi- United States are in a comparable position INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FRONTIER MISSIONS Lyle VanderWerff 77 with an influx of peoples of Muslim back- He urged the Pope at the Council of for the Saracans. Protestants are often dis- ground. There are new opportunities Vienne (1312) to form five more col- tressed to learn that reformers, Martin for dialogue, for fulfillment of Christ’s leges for languages, geography and cul- Luther (1483-1546) and John Calvin call to bear witness, and to reap a rich ture. These colleges were located at (1509-1564) were so slow in develop- inter-cultural harvest of great blessing. Rome, Bologna, Paris, Oxford, and ing a clear concept of missions. The truth Salamca. Teaching himself in biblical is that Luther was preoccupied with Early and Reformation Mission Models and mission studies at Paris, he appealed renewing congregations and supplying Initially Europe responded to to popes and kings to reach out to pastors who always were in short sup- Islam out of fear. Muslim expan- ply. He had a “sending” heart sion threatened her exis- but inadequate resources. tence. It is no wonder that the lit- To the degree that the He did argue that the Pope erature of the West was Church is able to become should send evangelists to filled with harsh caricature and the Turks rather than troops. stereotype. Muhammad and the embodiment of the Scholarly John Cal- Muslims in general were given kingdom of God, she will vin was also convinced that “bad press” in Medieval only a reformed church Europe. become in Christ the bridge could convey the Gospel to all Fortunately more accu- for reconciling all peoples nations. He corresponded rate information began to circu- with 300 Swiss-French Cal- late and more positive mod- to the living God. vinists who settled in Bra- els of Christian witness began to zil and took the challenge to emerge such as: Peter the evangelize the Indian peo- Muslims in love. Venerable, Abbot of Cluny (1092-1156); ples there, but unfortunately these letters Peter of Lombard (d. 1164), author of Secondly, Lull’s prodigious liter- have been lost. However, Calvin’s his Sentences; Francis of Assisi (1181- ary output resulted in several hundred global vision of a sovereign God and a 1226), founder of the Franciscans; pieces. His autobiography and mysti- sinful world would later form the Raymond of Penaforte (d. 1275), who cal work on the “Book of the Lover and impetus for the modern mission move- won many Muslims to Christ in North the Beloved” was as popular as his ment! Africa and in Spain; Thomas Aquinas (d. “One Hundred Names of God” was practi- 1272) whose Summa was concerned cal. Witnessing to Muslims at Tunis, Light on Mission Methods North Africa, he made the case for “the for witness to peoples of other religions; From 1800 to the present, Christian law of Christ.” He revealed a faith and, Roger Bacon (d. 1292) who witnesses in India (including Pakistan that was experiential as well as rational. sought to view others free of prejudice. and Bangladesh), have provided many The last part of the 13th century could In the third place, Lull proved to insights as to effective communica- be called, “the hopeful decades.” be a man of action as well as words. He tion with Muslims. William Carey, Henry One of the most outstanding fig- would witness to Christ and gather Martyn and the evangelical chaplains, ures in the Medieval Period was Raymond converts in Tunis even though he knew it Thomas Valpy French, Robert Clark, and Lull (1235-1315). Convinced of the was prohibited on pain of death. He others learned to encounter Islam futility of violence (i.e., the crusades) and sought an open forum, a parliament of without the sharp clash of the controver- undergoing a drastic conversion at religions. He discussed with the lead- sial method. Alexander Duff, J.N. about 30, he made a covenant with God to ers Islam’s weaknesses: namely, the lack Farquhar, A.G. Hogg, among others, serve the Muslim world in the Spirit of love in its concept of God, and the learned that education could become of Christ. For over fifty years he devoted lack of harmony in its attributes of God. a vehicle for preparing the way of the himself to three things necessary for Martyred at age 79 (June 30, 1315), Gospel as well as equipping future effective witness. Lull remains known for his exemplary leadership in the land. Medical missions life. That life was shaped by the First of all, Lull sought an accu- and other social services in India motto, “The soul that loves not, lives not.” rate and comprehensive knowledge of the demonstrated the reality of God’s love in Space does not allow for a thor- languages of the people. After painful Christ and gave the national churches ough treatment of the Roman Catholic grappling with Arabic for nine years, he a place in the sun. and Pre-Reformers who contributed established a college at his home- Mission work in the Near East to a healthier attitude towards Muslims, town, at Marjorca, to train Franciscans. posed a complex set of concerns. Angli- fuller knowledge of and compassion VOL 11:2 APRIL 1994 78 Mission Lessons From History can and Reformed churches soon recog- contraction. These eight are: tament history. By keeping the discussion nized that the weakened presence of 1. What is the nature of ultimate focused on these eight basic ques- the Orthodox Churches which had long reality, of God himself? What can be tions, there evolves a common quest for suffered under the millet system known of God and how can it be truth and less time for polemics and needed revival if Christianity was to known? Christians and Muslims can agree argumentation. recover its larger mission. Presbyteri- on the importance of this question. Ultimately every discussion must ans, the C.M.S., and others combined 2. What is the essence of nature, the eventually center and conclude on Christ, encouragement to these Eastern creation, the cosmos? The temporal regarding His person, word and work. Brethren, as well as limited evangeliza- world retains worth, order, beauty because The kingdom (reign) of God, which is the tion of Muslims. Pioneer missions by of its Maker and is the arena for dis- heart of the Gospel, eventually will the Arabian Mission begun by Samuel covery for saints and scientists. become the unique issue that leads to Zwemer and James Cantine stretched 3. What is the essence of our “eternal life.” In Him, we have the from the Mesopotamia valley to Kuwait, humanity? What does it mean to be way, the truth and the life! Therefore, Bahrain, and Oman. human, male and female? What char- those who would witness to Muslims High points in the Twentieth Century acteristics, potential, and destiny mark our must have the patience of Christ, ready to are seen in the lives and labors of shared humanness? labor long and hard, for a thousand Temple Gairdner, a CMS missionary to 4. What troubles humanity? What ill years more if need be, in order to incar- Egypt, and of Samuel Zwemer, a or sin or problem disturbs the human nate the love of God among them. Reformed Church in America missionary. race? How serious is the sickness? Such steadfast affection and flexibility The latter’s tireless efforts founded will help prevent rash words and acts. 5. What cure or solution is the work and churches in the Arabian This will allow time for the Muslim peo- offered for this dilemma? Is there any sal- Gulf, before building an ecumenical ples to hear and surrender to the rule vation from this sin? Can we describe network from Indonesia to Egypt to the means, the way in detail? of the Messiah. Europe to Princeton. Zwemer’s refor- mational theme of “Proclamation” would 6. What is the good life or life- Two Additional Lessons impact a generation of missionaries style or viable ethic that is sought? How following Madras, 1938. Gairdner was then shall we live? 1. Respect for Ancient Orthodox and sensitive to culture and the crucial 7. What shape should human commu- National Evangelical Churches. needs of the national church. A respected nity (a new society) take? How is the A careful reading of history scholar of Islam and committed to covenant community (ecclesia, ummah) should heighten appreciation for the evangelism, he became an advocate of a subject to the transcendent kingdom Orthodox and Roman Catholic “Christian Presence Amid Islam,” an of God? To what ends should human churches in lands with a Muslim majority. approach which matured under the superb resources be employed? What is the Those who have survived Islam’s leadership of Kenneth Cragg. In mission (commission) or vocation which severe domination over 14 centuries, and Zwemer and Gairdner one finds a balance should engage the energies of those yet have retained a vibrant faith and a which can still serve evangelical- whose lives have been renewed by faith? caring ministry, deserve close examina- ecumenical servants of Christ amid Islam. Note the mandates that shape our tion. How did the Syrian, Armenian, labors. Assyrian, Greek, Nestorian, Coptic, and Worldview and Witness 8. What is involved in human other Orthodox churches sustain their Turn of the century witnesses history and destiny? What guidelines are faith? In the presence of Islam they still among Muslims will need to have a gained from the lessons of history? maintain body life in Christ’s name broad, maturing theology. Unless one What does the future hold? What will for millions. Before we launch into crea- has a solid view of God’s sovereign occur with the return of Jesus the tive, pioneer efforts in new locations, claims in Christ and the kingdom, he Christ? What vision shapes our vocation? we are obliged to learn all we can from or she will not be able to sustain a conver- What energy flows from a biblical these “living saints” and form a part- sation about the realities of the Spirit- eschatology? nership with them in the Gospel. filled life. I have discovered that there are Christian-Muslim dialogue can When the first Protestant mis- eight worldview questions which pro- begin with these larger questions and then sionaries of Reformed and Anglican vide pegs on which to hang a discussion. focus more directly on the particulars churches arrived in the Middle East in These eight questions help keep the of the Scriptures. This discussion can tap the Nineteenth Century they were shocked discussion focused, and open to either lessons from the record of more than by the conditions of the Eastern expansion, further definition and even two thousand years of Old and New Tes- churches. They debated whether or not the INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FRONTIER MISSIONS Lyle VanderWerff 79

Eastern churches could witness without nership with these indigenous bodies of remain advocates of religious freedom, first undergoing a revival. Yet it must Christ. It is scandalous when a touring giving all persons and peoples space be said that even though sorely tried, they Protestant evangelist visits an isolated in which to respond to the overtures and were still bearing witness to Christ as house-church in Kuwait or Bahrain visitations of God. persecuted minorities. Since then, Eastern and reports that there are only a “dozen” To the degree that the Church is able Christians have gained much deserved Christians in the land while ignoring to become the embodiment of the attention from Protestant and Roman the tens of thousands who are there living kingdom of God, she will become in Catholic brethren. out their faith with courage. We must Christ the bridge for reconciling all In the last two centuries, national not underestimate the breadth and depth of peoples to the living God. To the degree evangelical churches have emerged. God’s work in our time. Likewise in that Muslims and Jews and others our talks with Muslims about the form They represent the fruit of the modern draw close to God’s rule in Christ, they God’s covenant community should missionary movement, mainly the can be drawn into the circle of the take, we must bear witness to the kingdom result of Reformed-Presbyterian and Messianic community. If the church is to of God in Christ which transcends the Anglican workers. Such evangelicals be both recipient and agency of the present form of the church (ecclesia. in Egypt, Palestine/Israel, Lebanon/Syria, coming kingdom it is being called to trans- ...ummah). Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, and the Gulf States formation. deserve credit for providing a church Muslims have yet to experience the 2. Future Witness to Muslims Requires home for both nationals and thou- birth pains which the church experi- Students of Islam. sands of expatriate laborers and profes- enced in the Reformation. It gradually sionals. For example, in Kuwait the divested itself of political “principali- Islamics and missiology must become former Arabian Mission (1914—) has ties and powers” and had to learn to live as part of the church’s curriculum. Ignor- blossomed into the National Evangeli- a “community of faith” in a pluralistic ance is an enemy of effective witness. Not cal Church. There a vibrant Arab congre- world. Because Islam has long visualized to know your neighbor is to nullify gation serves host to other ethnic con- itself as a totalitarian system, it has good intentions. gregations, including an International been frustrated whenever it loses control. It is recommended that every English Congregation (organized Even now, Muslim lands are strug- mature Christian study a bibliography cov- 1962) which represents peoples from gling with the questions of religious free- ering Islam’s origin, founder, history, around the globe. Every day and night dom, espoused in the United Nations civilization/culture, worldview, record of of the week, groups gather for study of the Charter. While there have been recent Christian-Muslim relations, current Word, prayer, stewardship and fellow- waves of fundamental reaction, the mission patterns and prospects. Enquieries ship. Truly this is the Church of Christ, rising tide of modernity will spare neither regarding a basic reading list of Mus- united as one, holy, catholic and apos- Muslims nor Christians. Diversity, lim-Christian relations may be made to the tolic household of faith. It is the church, plurality, and modernity are often viewed author or editor. evangelical and ecumenical. In addi- with suspicion by evangelicals, but tion to the churches of the Reformation they can also serve as allies. The same there are Roman Catholics and East- forces that disrupt traditions and shal- ern Orthodox by the thousands. In the low religiosity can also prepare the way shadow of Islam, all often know they for a fresh encounter with the Living Dr. Lyle VanderWerff served in are joined by the Spirit for worship and God. Religion, rather than secularism will Kuwait, completed his doctoral work in witness. prevail, but it will be a reformed faith. Islamics and Mission at the Univer- There is no way that those who would Christians and Muslims and Jews alike sity of Edinburgh, and currently serves be itinerant evangelists or pioneering will be humbled by the testing of his- as Professor of Religion at North- witnesses can be effective apart from part- tory. Christians will do well to always western College in Iowa. He serves as

VOL 11:2 APRIL 1994