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Between 1991 and 2007, Fuller Theological Seminary's School of International Studies surveyed 750 Muslim converts around the world to discover what factors played a role in them coming to Christ. The survey included people from 50 different cultural groups and 30 different countries.
In October, authors J. Dudley, Russel Shubin and G. Marks 1 summed up the survey in an article in Christianity Today entitled, Why Muslims follow Jesus.
The authors noted that in many Islamic nations conversion to Christianity is a serious step. It can not only result in isolation from one's family but even severe persecution including jail and possibly death. Some countries have even passed laws forbidding conversion.
They cited a couple of individuals who were unable to complete the survey because of persecution. One ended up in jail and eventually had his tongue cut out by a Muslim warlord to stop the young man from speaking about Christ and the other was reportedly poisoned by his family.
But while there is strong opposition to Christian conversion, the Muslim Qur'an states that the Torah (five books of Moses2), Psalms and the Gospels (generally considered to be the New Testament) are of God. As well, Jesus is not only looked upon as prophet, but as a "healing" prophet and the Qur'an states He is faultless (19:19).
Because of this, many Muslims are curious about Jesus and this can lead to an interest in Christianity.
"Particularly attractive to the Muslims," the writers noted, "is the love expressed through the life and teachings of Jesus."
"A Saudi was first drawn to Him [Jesus] at a Christmas service in Germany -- even before he knew German. Like many, an Iranian Shiite was attracted to Christ before he was attracted to Christianity. A North African Sufi found Jesus' portrayal as the Good Shepherd particularly meaningful."
The following lists some of the factors that led Muslims to follow Christ:
Christian witness
One of the most important factors contributing to conversion was the lifestyle of Christians. A Sufi mystic from North Africa said "there was no gap between the moral profession and the practice of Christians he saw."
Others aspects cited included loving marriages and the "respectful" treatment of women as noted by one Omani woman.
Display of miracles
Another factor was the demonstration of miracles by Christians including both deliverance and healings as a result of prayer.
"In Senegal," the authors said, "a Muslim marabout (spiritual leader) referred a patient to Christians when he was not able to bring healing. In Pakistan, after a pilgrimage to Mecca did not cure a disabled Shiite girl, she was healed following Christian prayer."
Others testified of Jesus' authority over the demonic. One young Nigerian -- who was cursed by a malam (similar to a witch doctor) because of his interest in Christ -- went insane. Abandoned by his family, he was delivered when Christians prayed for him.
Dreams and visions
Many ministries to Muslim have been reporting dramatic conversions due to individuals receiving dreams and visions. This past fall, a Muslim Inman stated that it was common for Muslims to have dreams or visions of Jesus during Ramadan.
Not surprisingly, the author noted similar findings in the survey. The authors stated, "More than one in four respondents, 27 percent, noted dreams and visions before their decision for Christ, 40 percent at the time of conversion, and 45 percent after."
If the dreams took place prior to conversion, it led the individual to search out more about Christ which led them to Christianity and the Bible. One young Algerian woman said she had a dream where her grandmother told her Jesus was not dead. "He is here" her grandmother said.
In another vision, a young Arab boy was told by his father to follow the local pastor who would "show him the right way."
1. G. Mark is a minister from Malawi; Russel G Shubin works with Salem Communication as the deputy director of news and publications; J. Dudley Woodberry is a professor of Islamic studies at Fuller Theological Seminary
2. Genesis, Exodus, Deuteronomy, Leviticus and Numbers
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