Micah works at LifeWay and blogs at MicahFries.com.
Living in an area where one is in the religious majority changes the way you see the world. In America, those of us who are Christians often feel like the world is changing, and not in a way that is positive for us, but the truth is we are still part of the largest religious segment in our culture. Often, one of the most difficult things for a member of the religious majority to do is to accurately understand the faith of religious minorities. I see this happen all the time in the US as Christians struggle to understand those of other faiths. When I travel overseas I see the same scenario play out, only in those cultures it is someone else’s faith that often struggles to understand my own. In a US context, this is often played out as Christians attempt to understand Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Hindus, and so on. However, nowhere is this lack of understanding more prominent than Christian’s relationship with Muslims. This lack of understanding is problematic for Christians, in particular. As followers of Jesus, it is vital that we rightly understand and portray the faith of those we disagree with. There are two significant reasons why this matters.
It matters, first of all, because we are Christians. Our faith calls us to love those who are not like us, and even those who are against us. This is a distinguishing characteristic of Christianity. When we fail to rightly understand others, we fail to show Christian love by believing something about them that is not true. We fail to view them as God’s image bearers, as part of God’s creation, by not working to rightly understand who they are and what they believe. Beyond that, our integrity is at stake as followers of Christ. Perpetuating mischaracterizations of others may be popular on social media, but it fails when held up to the test of Christian character. Secondly, however, this matters because we are not just Christians, we are Christians who are on mission. Make no mistake about it. We desire every person on the planet to hear the message of Jesus’ gospel, and to believe in Christ for salvation. In fact, we believe this is the only way to be reconciled with God. We believe in the freedom for every person to believe as they wish, but we also desire to have the freedom to share Christ with them so that they might believe. When we fail to rightly understand those we disagree with, we impair our ability to be on mission and damage the possibility of leading others to faith in Christ.
So that begs the question, in a world that is swimming with misinformation, how do we rightly understand what others believe? Let me suggest four simple ways that have helped me.
1. Don’t use the media as the primary source of your information.
It amazes me to see Christians who loudly reject mainstream media portrayals of their own faith but who are then quick to embrace the same mainstream media portrayals of the faith of others. If, for instance, the media regularly gets it wrong about Christianity, why would we think that they’re getting it right about Islam? Stop using news channels, Facebook, Twitter and the like as your source of information about the theology and practice of those with whom you disagree. Your tendency will be to embrace anything you read which feeds your impression of their faith, and this will regularly be inaccurate. A helpful test as to the accuracy of reported information is this; if a majority of those who embrace the faith in question, disagree with the popular portrayal, the portrayal is probably a mischaracterization.
2. Read liberally from those who are in that faith.
Often, when we desire to learn about those of other faiths, we will look to find an author from our faith writing about other faiths. This is probably not the best option. As Christians, we would be suspect of a Mormon, or Muslim, authoring thoughts about Christianity. Just so, we ought to consider that those who are in another faith are probably the most appropriate experts about their own faith. Even better, however, would be to get a copy of that faith’s holy book, and study it yourself.
3. Attend a service or two of the faith you are trying to understand.
As I was trying to understand Islam better, one of the healthiest things I did was to begin attending a Friday prayer service at the local mosque. I obviously didn’t participate in their prayer time; I would sit in the back and just watch, but those who were part of the mosque were incredibly gracious and welcoming. I continue to learn more during these opportunities than I could in just about any other setting. If you want to understand another faith, and the faith allows visitors into their gatherings (and most do), attend a few and listen. You might be surprised what you learn.
4. Befriend and learn from those who are in that faith.
Finally, the best way I know to rightly understand the faith of those we disagree with is to become friends with those who are in that faith. This has been one of the healthiest exercises in my Christian walk. Like Jesus, who consistently spent time with those who were outside his faith community, we ought to be quick to be friends with others who might not agree with us. My experiences, gathered around a table, learning from those who are in another faith, have been among the most helpful and instructive times I have experienced. I am rarely more encouraged than these interactions with those who believe differently than I do.
As I have tried to rightly understand those who I disagree with, I have found that it has helped me to love others the way Jesus loves me, without condition, in every state possible. What’s more, it has opened up innumerable opportunities for me to share the gospel of Jesus. As I show genuine interest in their faith, those who I spend time with have, in turn, shown genuine interest in my faith. What is more, they trust me to share with them my faith, understanding that I’m sharing with them as a friend, not just someone who wants to sell them a bill of religious goods and services. Finally, let me encourage you to clearly call out other followers of Christ who are spreading mischaracterizations about other faiths. It is harmful to our collective witness, and does violence to our faith, to treat other faiths dishonestly. It is not a threat to our own Christian faith to stand up in defense of those who may disagree with us, in fact, it is often exactly the opposite. We can regularly be like Jesus when we are willing to defend those who may rarely agree with us.
Excellent Post, Micah!
I think we can also use this as we circle closer to our own beliefs…It does nobody any good when we mis-represent the beliefs or practices of Roman Catholics, or Anglicans, or Presbyterians, or Wesleyans, or Free-will Baptists, or Reformed Baptists.
I was once challenged by another Baptist because he said I was “defending Catholics”, when I was really simply trying to correct some accusations that had been made against them. I used this example:
***If I had a Roman Catholic neighbor who was accused of killing and eating his own children, but I knew he didn’t do it, in fact his children were alive and playing in his back-yard…I SHOULD defend him in that matter. I doesn’t mean I endorse everything He believes as a Roman Catholic….simply that I do not want him to be unfairly represented or accused. ***
Are you defending Catholics?
I’m glad he clarified that “eating children” would have significant theological ramifications.
Well done Micah! For anyone living in the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. area who wants to see an example of what he is talking about, join us November 16 at this event: http://www.summitonfaith.com If you want to attend from outside the area, contact me at jrainey@bcmd.org and I’ll send you info on travel and lodging options.
Micah, I really like the attitude you put forth in this post. Love without conditions is a very difficult proposition for most people, and in the context of differing faiths, love seems to disappear in the discussion.
I think you have covered the mainstream faith groups, yet there is a word of caution to throw out there as well when it comes to more fringe faiths, or offshoots of these mainstream faiths. The Apostle Paul’s warning of ” not to have fellowship with unfruitful works of darkness” should be heeded in all instances, because after all we are dealing with a real enemy that is attacking the cross. So, I do like your comment about loving our enemies as well. We should love hilariously with eyes wide open,… just as Christ demonstrated on every occasion with the religious groups thought ultimately sought to kill him.
Thanks for the article!
-Chris
Micah,
I think someone with “another gospel”, especially those who are devout in another gospel, are unlikely to change. Those who are weak in another gospel might change or those who don’t believe anything might change, but those who are devout in another religion has about as much chance of changing as a Baptist switching to be a Muslim. Micah, I’m not saying don’t try, I am saying it would take a very knowledgeable person with a particular calling on their life to have any chance of being successful.
I’m a little stunned at that statement.
I guess we should be glad Barnabas and Saul did not adopt that attitude in Antioch when the Spirit called them to go and preach the Gospel.
The world is full of people who have converted from one faith to the other. There are, unfortunately, people who have left the Christian faith for false gospels, but there are also Buddhists, Musliims, Hindus, Atheists and many other faiths that have come to Christ and found saving grace.
Wow. I’m a little shocked.
Dave,
I didn’t say it was impossible.
The Apostle Paul would agree that it is not impossible, even for him to be changed from his Christian killing, irritable self.
God does the saving anyway. We do the going, finding, and explaining of the Gospel. That takes all the pressure off of our perceived persuasiveness.
Not impossible? I think it is impossible. Can a person enter a second time into their mother’s womb and be born?
“Who then can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.
The Gospel is the POWER of God unto salvation
Jess,
I think you are generally right. Hard hearts generally remain hard unless, however, something supernatural occurs. That is why I think this issue is so vitally important.
We live in an increasingly pluralistic society, and find ourselves increasingly surrounded by those of other faiths. If we believe in the power of the gospel, and we believe that God has commanded us to love those who are not like us, and to take the gospel to them, we have a mandate to take the gospel and go to everyone, regardless what logic might tell us about the likelihood that those of other faiths might change.
Thankfully, as some of the others have pointed out, we have a litany of examples, throughout scripture and history, that show us that, as unlikely as it may be, the gospel still changes radically hardened hearts.
In scripture I can think of no greater example than Paul, who I would argue was the closest thing we see in scripture to a modern day religious zealot turned terrorist.
I hope that you and I will love, learn and go to them, regardless of logic’s argument about their ability to change.
Don’t be discouraged brother. The gospel is powerful and the church will be triumphant. We should be the most optimistic of all people!
Blessings!
Micah and Jess,
One isn’t closer to becoming a Christian because their heart is less hard than someone else.
Once a person has willfully sinned, they have rejected God, and they have become blind to Him and the Gospel truth, namely that only by the mercy and grace of God can they be saved, and that through Jesus Christ.
Now this blindness is only taken away by the Spirit. And in taking away a person’s blindness, God opens their eyes to His glory in the face of Jesus the crucified and risen One. In other words, when God opens your eyes, you see. When God opens your eyes, He is saving you and you will be saved.
God is a great and mighty Savior and there is no heart too hard for Him. And people don’t come to God more readily because they are not as hard as another. People don’t come to God at all. God comes to a person and rescues him or her.
peace,
mike
Mike,
I agree totally with what you are saying. I’m just wondering if other religions say the same thing about us. Maybe other denominations say the same about us.
We say we are right, and no other denomination or religion can come close to us because we have the true gospel. We even argue points among ourselves which I think is a good thing.
My point is that we have Baptists that convert to other faiths and religions, and some other religions and faiths convert to Baptists. It appears to me that we are just swapping converts, should we not focus on those that do not practice any religion and yet not give up on those who do? It seems to me this would be the best approach.
Jess,
You said,
“It appears to me that we are just swapping converts, should we not focus on those that do not practice any religion and yet not give up on those who do?”
I am not sure of the point you are trying to make.
It seems like you are saying that the non-religious folks are a better bet to make converts, but we shouldn’t totally reject witnessing to the religious folk.
Is that what you mean?
Jess,
I think the answer to your question depends on the answer to the question, “Is Jesus Christ the only way to God?” If Jesus is the only way to God, then everyone needs to know that no matter whether they are Baptist, another denomination, another religion, or have no official religion.
Sure, you see people converting to this or that denomination or religion. However, those that truly convert to Christ will remain in Him for they are kept by the Spirit.
Micah,
Without a doubt we should love our neighbors and be compassionate towards them. However we should not adopt a rose colored attitude about what their objectives are in society.
Micah, I like very much what you have written here. It accords with my conviction that the “golden rule” should very much guide how we participate in inter-religious dialogue and evangelism. Every religion deserves to be critiqued in its ideal form rather than by caricature. We have to believe that the Truth will manifest itself against all falsehood. I don’t want people of other faiths to critique Christianity by the worst expressions of it found in the media, or even in myself. Have them look at Jesus and critique him!
Those caught up in other faiths are probably not stupid and neither are they the enemy. They are enslaved to the enemy, the one who has blinded them to the truth. It could be the grace by which we express the truth to them will not only disarm them but be the means by which God opens their eyes. One of my wife’s good friends is a devout Mormon. She expressed one day, “Many Christians have told me I’m going to hell. You are the first one who wanted to be my friend.” We’ve had several dinners with them since.
This is a thoughtful article and worth considering. Christians shouldn’t misrepresent those of other faiths or feed the popular mischaracterizations. However, if objectivity and truth regarding such faiths as Islam is the goal, can that really be achieved through the steps recommended in this article? Maybe it can and I’ve just misunderstood. But it seems to me that the article suggests that we can get a more accurate view of Islam by getting closer to Muslims who are on the gentle side of that faith—as if the more evil and violent groups were by that violence automatically unqualified to represent true Islam. I mean, visiting local mosques and befriending friendly Muslims would enlighten you to the fact that such friendly Muslims exist. But, wouldn’t real objectivity require you to also visit and get to know groups of the kind such as ISIL? I don’t know—maybe you treat the stark differences as large enough to classify them as two different faiths all together. And maybe that’s the way to look at it. If we are to get to know another faith better, should that mean that we discard the bad and seek to know only the good? As Christ-followers, should we give other faiths the benefit of the doubt in that way?
Micah, Ken, and all,
One does not have to know another’s religious beliefs to be a good witness for Christ, and to love them as a person.
That is because these two things are different in most respects. One respect in which they are the same is that both are expressions of love. For the lost need the Gospel or they will perish. And people need love.
Now to love them as a person really has no need of religious understanding because people everywhere have the same needs, generally. They need food, water clothes and shelter as well as non-physical needs. They don’t need you to understand their faith in order for you to love them.
And you don’t need you to understand their faith in order for you to be a good witness for the Gospel. The Gospel witness is based on universal truth that doesn’t change from Muslim to Buddhist to atheist. And part of that truth is that the person is stained by their sin and rebellion to God, by each sin, but one is enough. And that despite the preaching of every religion, established or even unrecognized, even by the adherent, the only solution is Jesus.
Now each religion, established and unrecognized, seeks to find a way for man to earn his way to be accepted by God. They seek to mitigate their stain by some human action of their own. Every tenet of every false religion, recognized or not, is based on their false understanding of God, and His righteousness, and their own terrible state of condemnation.
Thus it is not the degree of the hardness of their hearts, nor of the degree of the evilness of their actions, that determines their ‘salability’ by our apologetics, as if it is easier to save some than others, but rather it is of God who has mercy or not.
peace,
mike
oops…
this…that determines their ‘salability’ by our apologetics, …
should be…that determines their ‘savability’ by our apologetics,
savability
Mike, I believe we do find ‘nuanced’ or ‘contextualized’ gospel presentations to people of different beliefs in the book of Acts. From that it seems that a gospel message ‘tailored’ to a specific worldview might be more effective than a general one.
Kevin,
The tailored message simply builds on the general one. I’m not advocating that apologetics aren’t used by God.
I think of it like this. The ‘general’ or basic Gospel is the foundation, the seed that must be planted. From there God brings water to the seed by various means, some which are apologetics.
But in the end, the Gospel offends the sinner. And it is in the offending that God in His mercy and by His love turns the person from being offended by the Gospel to being offended by himself and his sin.
So in one sense, we are messengers of offense.
Most Muslims I know think of ISIL in representing their faith as we would think of Westboro Baptist Church representing ours. In other context and another discussion with an imam several years ago, he said to me, “There is a difference in ‘Islam’ (i.e. the religion) and a ‘Muslim’ (i.e. one who practices Islam). One is perfect, and the other is not.” Of course, I disagree with his perspective, but that statement helped me understand his beliefs greatly. It is interesting that I would make much the same statement about ‘Christ’ and a ‘Christian.’
Kevin, I have heard this same thing from people about two different Islams, or some such proposition.
I think the analogy between ISIS and Westboro is problematic. For one, what ISIS is doing, Mohammed had done himself throughout his life. What Westboro does, Jesus NEVER even hinted at.
Just as you cannot understand Christianity apart from the Bible, and the Central figure of Its message, you cannot understand Islam apart from the Koran and the Koran’s central figure Mohammed.
To try in these modern days to reinvent Islam simply is not possible. The Islam of say, Saudi Arabia, operates under the same Sharia Law as ISIS. The big difference is: Saudi Arabia is a totalitarian regime and there is no dissent. The same horrible behavior of stonings, cutting off hands, honor killings define Saudi Arabian, hence Islamic, attitudes toward dissent. Dissent is defined broadly as anything that dishonors the Prophet or the Holy Book.
If we want to understand another faith, we have to understand the authority of that faith and the normative ways in which people have practiced that faith throughout history.
Jack, I don’t mean to be argumentative, but I have never found it much benefit to tell people they believe something that they don’t believe. What I end out with is a caricature of their beliefs — even though I might be technically correct in what their official dogma is. What I do know is that associating them with people that they go to great efforts to distance themselves from wins me no relationship points. Any bridge I might have to share with them further is probably now destroyed.
When witnessing to a Catholic I need to find out what kind and how “Catholic” they are; to a Muslim what kind and how “Muslim” they are; to a Mormon, etc. Otherwise, I am not sharing with an individual but with a caricature. I don’t believe Jesus treated people that way.
I think it can be as simple as if we let people talk about their faith, it opens the door for us to talk about ours. Understanding another’s faith may give us an angle to share ours. A person’s faith is an integral part of their life. Showing an interest can help demonstrate that we don’t just see them as a person, not just a potential convert so we can put a notch in our belt.
Bill,
I think you meant to say:
Showing an interest can help demonstrate that we [don’t just] DO see them as a person, not just a potential convert so we can put a notch in our belt.
And i agree.
But my point is that [interest in their life] is not necessary in sharing the Gospel.
Paul singing in the jail. Peter preaching to the masses. Paul at his trial declaring that he wished all were like him but for the chains. It is not our interest that gives them a better chance to be saved. But at times it is our obedience to God, who uses our interest to save them.
Mike,
Not necessary in every case, true. Necessary in some cases, probably.
Bill,
We agree.
No, our interest doesn’t give them a better chance to be saved, but it may give us a better chance to share our faith.
Bill,
Yes it might, in some cases.
I do believe we should take the gospel into all the world. I also believe we are losing America in the process. Let me explain why I have such an opinion.
1. Many people have become weak in the faith. Many people have a false faith. Many people are morally bankrupt. All of this is happening within the four walls of the congregation.
2. When I moved from the mountains to Western Ky. 25 years ago, I lived in one community 5 years and another community 20 years. No one, I repeat no one, has been to my home visiting me except for Jehovah Witnesses, and members of the churches I’ve pastored. Not a single Baptist from another church anywhere. There are four Baptist churches within three miles from my home and two Baptist churches within 5 miles from my home. So, we can say there are 6 Baptist churches within 5 miles of my home and in 25 years not a single Baptist has knocked on my door and invited me to their church.
3. I think too many churches are members of the Four S club. “Secret Society of Super Saints”.
We should try to win the world for Christ. I think in the meantime we are losing America. If we are not in love with Jesus how can we love folks of other faiths, and how can we love our neighbor?
I forgot to mention I lived in another community for one year and a Baptist church 1/4 mile from my home. Only JW’s visited my home. I know this seems off topic but why are Baptists not visiting homes? My answer to that question would be that we are paying missionaries to evangelize the world so why should we do anything. I think this is the mentality most Baptists have. Sorry for getting off topic.
Jess,
Why do you think our churches are filled with many people who have a weak of false faith?
[Not arguing with you, just asking]
That’s weak OR false faith.
Mike,
I believe one of the reasons, if not the biggest reason is that many churches, if not most churches prey on little children. The children are talked into becoming a member of a particular church by a verbal profession, and not a positive possession. I guess I am too old fashion for the modern church. I still believe God has to be the one who does the calling and not man. Many of these children grow up with no moral values in their heart. They can recite scripture but it’s meaningless to them because they do not genuinely have Christ in their life.
I think the church should be separate from the world. Many times in the modern church what suppose to be people of faith live a worse lifestyle than the world.
Mike, this is just the beginning.
Jess,
I agree, it is one of the problems. That is not to say that all children who make such a profession are not saved.
I remember as a catholic lad going through confirmation that theologically was supposed to be me, now older and more conscious of spiritual truths, *confirming* my baby baptism. Everyone in my catholic school had to go through it, it was expected. No one sat down with individually and asked us if we truly understood what we were doing. maybe that was the job of the parents, and if so, my parents failed miserably. But they were too busy going out drinking and later having affairs to worry about spiritual matters.
The desire for *numbers* of converts, whether children or adults has skewed many churches understanding of their mission. We are not just to baptize people, but also make them disciples. But many churches seek to gain *numbers* through baptism and once *saved* to leave them alone, or to leave them as alone as they want.
Mike,
You hit the nail on the head.
Jess,
I agree with what you are saying.
And it is a sad thing.
I asked a Christian brother after church two Sundays ago if he could articulate the Gospel. He said no.
If he can’t tell a brother in church the Gospel, how is going to be able to do it in a hostile world where the forces of darkness will have him surrounded and seeking to prevent him from witnessing?
Listening is was an elder who agreed with me that many of our members would struggle with that very thing. [I go to Parsons Baptist Church, but I am not a parson in any way, hence the name parsonsmike]. He said he would speak to the pastor and other elders.
The problem seems to be in our church leadership. These are are under- shepherds, our leaders. When I first got saved 30+ years ago, I would go out, with a team, and witness and invite, in the neighborhoods around the church building. Only rarely does a Christian come around now. The JW’s avoid my house since I tried to convert them. They just walk by and go to the neighbors. They said they wanted to discuss the truth, but then they stopped coming back…
How about your church. Jess? Do you have people out witnessing? My church does a lot of community outreach but no door to door. That might be because we are mostly made up of elderly [older than me(-:]. But we are getting younger family type folks to join.
-mike