Same article, but different title.

They are both written by me, Ken. So, Ben Strong, I did not steal it.

Below is the url for the same article, where I also write for a team of bloggers on the Reformation and Sound Doctrine and Apologetics, much of the focus there by others is on Luther research and against Roman Catholicism.

http://beggarsallreformation.blogspot.com/2009/08/how-and-why-did-churches-become-mosques_18.html

However, the site that Ben Strong left, was not the site, so I have deleted his comment. The link sent me to something that looks suspicious.

So, if Ben Strong is legitimate, he can make another comment, without a bogus link.

The Magi were also filled with joy when they saw the star (Matthew 2:10) – does this story of the Iranian/Persian Magi fill you with joy ??

I have watched the Arab Muslim (the story of Khalil) story several times who was a terrorist and then the Lord converted him through a thorough study of comparing the Qur’an and the Bible; but also confirmed by his dreams.

Is God still doing that kind of thing; like He did with Cornelius in Acts 10-11, in other parts of the world, where gospel witness is very lacking and small?

Dreams do not bring the message of the gospel to save people; (see Acts 11:13-14 – “send for Peter” ; “and he will speak words to you by which you will be saved, you and all your household.”

One of the biggest problems for modern Christians, is that people will use the fact that maybe God does use dreams still today to prepare people for the gospel in areas or people groups where the gospel preaching is scarce; but then taking that fact and thinking they don’t have to evangelize. Many relax and act like the dream can preach the gospel to them or that we don’t have to go and interact with people and preach the gospel and disciple people.

Dreams are not enough to save! True. Dreams do not take the place of the word of God and clear evangelism and missions. There must be the preaching of the gospel, which means going and learning culture and language and discipleship and being with people and suffering with them.

I understand your point; they are certainly not a complete apologetic and they don’t address some crucial aspects of the gospel enough.

They are showing that Muslims are coming to Christ where little gospel is; and that they are reporting that God is using dreams to prepare them for the gospel and to confirm their trust in Christ. But the dreams should never replace evangelism and missions.

The story of Khalil, to me, had a good contrast between the Qur’an and the Bible; that was what caused him to question the Qur’an, when he studied the Bible intensely and found no contractions in the Bible; and the love of God in Scripture and the forgiveness of sins by Christ was what attracted him.

Muslims have a strong Monotheism, God as Sovereign Creator; and they believe in God’s wrath and judgment day on their sin. So they have a similar “fear of the Lord”, like religious Jews in the OT. They do know about God’s wrath against sin. But we must disciple them and help them to see the truth of the cross and their own sinfulness.

The other stories are more experiential than focused on Scripture, yes I will admit that. But the first one, “Khalil’s story”, (I am just going by memory); had some good contrast between the Qur’an and Scripture.

The presentations of the gospel at the end are not perfect and, I agree with you, they are the more typical evangelical style of the “Four Spiritual Laws” or a “Steps to Peace with God” type of presentation.

But, I would say that even those presentations, as incomplete and sub-Biblical as they are; are enough for God to use to convert people by His Spirit ( John 3:8) and that is better than Islam.

But they are real stories; one of them I know personally. They are not meant to be a full apologetic presentation; but they are showing that God is revealing Himself both through His word, and God is revealing Himself, in a preparatory way by dreams, among Muslims, like Cornelius in Acts 10-11; before he actually heard the gospel. Only after he listened to the gospel did repentance and faith come. All the Muslims I have known who have come to Christ, have had preparatory dreams before they actually believed; and sometimes, confirming dreams after their initial repentance and faith. But if they are discipled and taught in the word of God; their emphasis on dreams fades and they learn to put the truth of Scripture above experience; but that is a big process in their lives.

The challenge for all of us these days is to get out among Muslims and be the friend of sinners and tax-collectors, like Jesus, and love Muslims enough to not be afraid of spending time with them; and present the gospel in a way that communicates to the Muslim, without compromise as to the essentials of the gospel.

But we who know the word, should be ready and available to help the new MBBs (Muslim Background Believers) grow and learn how to discern their dreams rightly. Their cultures are really into dreams.

Have you seen any of the “More Than Dreams” videos? I found them to be problematic in at least three areas:
1) The characterization of Scripture.
2) The lack of contrast between the Quoran and Scripture.
3) The flawed presentation of the Gospel.