> I would like to think that if he were alive today,
> Paul would have called himself a Messianic Muslim.
> He would have adopted a Muslim name, he would
> have been wearing Muslim attire, living among
> them and blessed them by sharing and demonstrating
> to them the love of Isa Al-Masih and the hope of
> eternal life in Him. What do you think?
Generally, I agree with you. I think one guiding principle is to try to
answer 'What would enable the worker to be viewed as an insider (or one
submitted to God) in the Islamic setting in question?' I think Paul's
approach (outward conformity) might be different among Muslims in
Malaysia and Muslims in Turkey but his guiding motive (to be all things
to all men) would remain the same. Like Jesus' taking on of human form
(and learning Jewish culture) I think Paul would start with the target
people's
understanding of God and piety. He would build from there.
I guess that before Paul would adopt a particular approach he would first
try to understand his target people. If you agree, then let me ask 'Why
do we in the Church of Jesus Christ so often fail to understand those
outside the Kingdom?'
