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IslamOnline.net & Newspapers
CAIRO —
Christian missionaries in Malaysia are using verses of the Noble
Qur’an about Jesus in an effort to preach Christianity to
Muslims in the south Asian country.
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“You aren’t
criticizing Muhammad or any other prophets, (but)
just raising Jesus up,” Garrison said. |
“You
aren’t criticizing Muhammad or any other prophets,” David
Garrison, a Christian missionary, told The New York Times on
Saturday, March 13.
“Just
raising Jesus up.”
Garrison uses a strategy called “Camel Method”, which involves
using Quranic verses about Jesus to convert Muslims to
Christianity.
In one
case, the missionary speaks with Muslims about the miraculous
birth of Jesus.
“Do you
know of any other prophets born of a virgin?” the missionary
asks Muslims.
Muslims
believe in Jesus as one of the great Prophets of God.
He is
the son of Mary but not the Son of God. He was conceived and
born miraculously.
This
miracle is a sign to all that God has power to do anything He
wills. This is similar to God's creation of Adam without a
father or a mother.
In the
Noble Qur’an, Jesus is called "Isa". He is also known as Al-Masih
(the Christ) and Ibn Maryam (Son of Mary).
As for
his crucifixion, Muslims believe that Jesus was not crucified
but was lifted up to heaven.
God Gift
In
other cases, missionaries speak about Jesus miracles mentioned
in the Qur’an to persuade Muslims that he was more than a
prophet.
“It (Qur’an)
says in that passage that Isa would be able to cleanse the
leper, even raise the dead," Garrison said.
"At
that point in the conversation with Muslims, we say, ‘Isn’t it
interesting that Isa had this tremendous power that God gave to
him? Even death was under his power.’
“Then
you ask the question, ‘Is there any other prophet that had this
kind of power?’ And in Islam, there isn’t.”
In
Islam, different messengers were sent with different gifts, as
they needed to speak to their own people in a way that would
attract them and help them to understand.
The
special gift of Jesus was that that he could perform miracles.
Being
able to perform miracles, though, didn't make him equal to God.
Everything he did was by God's leave, to teach the people of
Israel about God Himself. Even these miracles, though, were not
enough to convince them.
Muslims
believe that Jesus will come back to earth before the end of
time to restore peace and order, fight the Anti-Christ (Al-Masih
Al-Dajjal) and bring victory for truth and righteousness.
The
true followers of Jesus will prevail over those who deny him,
misrepresent him and reject him.
Source:
http://www.islamonline.net
Date: 2010/04/13
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