A fatal blow to American missions?

Victory in Iraq and The

Great Commission

by the Rev. Wm. Thomas Bray

Missions Editor at Large

SPECIAL REPORT/ For the first time in our history, we

Americans are beginning to seriously confront Islamic control and terrorism in the

Middle East.  What impact will this clash of cultures have on the long-range

task of the Great Commission and church planting in the Muslim world? This article appeared in the Spring, 2003 issue of the Evangelical Church Alliance Evangel Magazine.

WHILE the average American, including our citizen soldiers in Iraq, would be quick to insist that we are not at war with Islam, few Muslims see it that way.

 Living in theocratic cultures where there is no separation of church and state, they cannot conceive of the Jeffersonian ideal of a “secular state” or religious freedom for all.  Above all else, they cannot buy into the idea that the United States is a secular nation.

            Therefore, every bomb that falls in Iraq (or bullet fired in Israel!) is seen as an attack by American Christianity on their culture -- along with Budweiser beer, Cosmopolitan and Playboy magazines, Jennifer Lopez videos, Hollywood films and rock music.  Container loads vile American pornography arrive daily at most of the world’s ports.  Satellites download a stream of filth and perversion from the United States.  Muslims feel they are the victims of a cultural and military rampage by Christians.

            Unless we understand this dynamic, it will be impossible for us as mission-minded believers to get beyond the superficial military victories in Iraq, and support really effective missions to the world’s 1.3 billion Muslims in 184 countries.

Pause a moment to think about the huge challenge of Islam to missions.  One in five of the world’s population is Muslim!  This is without doubt the greatest single challenge to the gospel today.  Islam dominates the Middle East, North Africa, Central Asia, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Indonesia.

Given the current misunderstandings and prejudices of Muslims about American Christianity, what can we do to promote the spread of Gospel among them?  May I suggest four basic rules for success that will apply for the rest of the 21^st Century:

First, we need to pray for missions to the Muslim world daily and fervently.  This is the greatest spiritual battle of our age.  Serious intercessors are needed to understand the Muslim world and intercede at a new level.  I hope we as clergy will lead the way.  The ideal spiritual fallout from the “War on Terror” could be a new wave of compassionate, understanding prayers for Muslims.  The choice is ours.

Second, we need to drop the idea of sending American missionaries into Muslim cultures and countries.  The greatest temptation in Iraq and throughout the Muslim world will be to send in foreign missionaries. Rightly or wrongly, we have forfeited our right to do so.  Instead, we must help to send out indigenous missionaries who are already there – local men and women who will preach the Bible and live out culturally correct lifestyles before the eyes of their Muslim neighbors.

Third, we need to seize every opportunity to set the record straight.  When witnessing to Muslims personally, or through broadcasting and publishing, we need to separate “American cultural Christianity” from the real thing. As American forces occupy Afghanistan, Iraq and other Muslim territories, every effort must be made to help Muslims understand that most Americans aren’t really Christians.  Americanism and Christianity are not equal.

Fourth, let’s increase our efforts to lovingly distribute Bibles and share the Gospel with Muslims. The Holy Spirit is working in many Muslim hearts.  Everywhere, despite the revival of Islamic orthodoxy, there are Muslims with increasing doubts about the Qu’ran and the teachings of Muhammad.  Many are coming to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ through angelic visitations, dreams and visions.  It is imperative that we increase efforts to dialogue with Muslims and explain the Gospel to them.  Many are hungry for the good news of grace and will receive the truth.

We must not lose courage and faith in these times of terror, trial and war.  We must obey the Gospel, and call for the whole body of Christ to join us.  This is God’s hour for the nations -- and Muslims are no exception!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  Rev. Bill Bray and his wife Ivy serve on the missionary staff at Christian Aid Mission, Charlottesville, Virginia.  He has been a full-time missionary for 38 years and has been on assignment in 46 countries.  His current position involves assisting 700 indigenous mission agencies with 90,000 missionary staff. He also serves as Vice President of Program for World Children's Fund and Medical Mission International.