× Register Login What's New! Contact us
Results 1 to 11 of 11 visibility 2040

Pastor learns about Islam, tries to bridge gap with Christians

  1. #1
    Uthman's Avatar
    brightness_1
    LI News Service
    star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Warrington, England
    Gender
    Male
    Religion
    Islam
    Posts
    5,513
    Threads
    691
    Rep Power
    149
    Rep Ratio
    98
    Likes Ratio
    2

    Lightbulb Pastor learns about Islam, tries to bridge gap with Christians

    Report bad ads?

    During lunch 18 months ago, Dr. Ben Johnson had an epiphany as Dr. Aisha Jumaan, a Muslim, spoke to him about her faith and her experience of God.

    "It came to me that this woman loves and worships the same God I do," says Johnson, a Christian. "I had this sharpened awareness that in that moment she was in touch with God, just as I was. It was a dawning and an awakening, and it was liberating because it liberates you from standing on a pedestal and looking down on someone else."

    It also inspired Johnson to take on a life-changing mission.

    At a time when many Christians, including some in his own church, were openly hostile towards a religion they believed advocated terrorism and was at war with the United States, Johnson initiated a dialog aimed at bringing Christians and Muslims together.

    He has conducted a series of lectures and small-group gatherings at which more than 500 Muslims and Christians have shared their faith with each other. Not, Johnson hastens to point out, to convert anyone: "Just to understand each other."

    Sunday Johnson will present another lecture, "Beyond 9/11: Christians and Muslims Together — A New World Vision" at Shallowford Presbyterian Church in Atlanta with a vision clear in his mind.

    "The dream," he says, "is that we can find a way to bridge the chasm between Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus and Buddhists and make Atlanta a model city. That over the next year or two, we can develop an interfaith immersion program."

    Johnson is a former minister who retired in 2000 after nearly 20 years as professor of Christian spirituality at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur. A towering man from southern Alabama, he calls himself "a soft evangelical. I ask questions and listen rather than telling people what they ought to do or believe."

    He adds, "I'm the most unlikely candidate for becoming a spokesperson about Islam."

    But after several months of retirement, Johnson realized he was depressed. "Life had a dull edge," he says. "I wondered who I was now that I wasn't a teacher, preacher, traveler or speaker."

    The depression was about dying. "I had started life well," he says. "Now I wanted to finish it well."

    Contemplative prayer and the works of Trappist monk Thomas Merton revived him. "When you listen to God," Johnson says, "you get beneath the dogma and creeds to the essence of what religion is about. It's about God in human beings in human consciousness."

    Among his insights was that the 21st century would be a religious century, and the key would be relationships between two-thirds of the world's population: 2.5 billion Christians and 1.5 billion Muslims.

    "A voice in my head said, 'And you don't know anything about Islam.' Which was true. I have five degrees, four of them theological, and other religions had never been taught seriously to me."

    He began reading Islamic texts and works on comparative religion, and he asked to meet a Muslim. A church friend introduced him to Dr. Jumaan, an epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control who is from Yemen.

    While there are differences in their faiths — Muslims regard Jesus as a prophet, for example, but not divine — Johnson found that they nevertheless arrived at the same conclusions: God is compassionate, omniscient and ubiquitous.

    "Everything about my faith is rooted in the stories my two grandmothers told me," Jumaan says. "No one formally taught me to pray. As a child, I had the question, 'What is God like?' My grandmother answered, 'That is like a drop in the ocean trying to understand what the ocean is like.' This is something I feel with my heart — God is present in everything. God is all around us."

    In March of 2007, Johnson gave four lectures on Islam at Shallowford Presbyterian Church, expecting 30 to 40 people to attend. The room overflowed with humanity – 176 in all, and nearly one-third of them Muslims.

    "My mouth was very dry," Johnson says. "There were a couple of imams (Muslim clerics), and I'm thinking they know all this stuff and I'm stumbling around in it."

    Attendees met in small groups after each lecture to discuss their faiths, and the series concluded with a potluck dinner that attracted 250 people.

    "We had a pastor and an imam describe how they came to the faith that gives their lives meaning," Johnson says, "And we asked people to talk at their tables about how their faith came to them."

    Last September, Johnson gave three more lectures at Wieuca Baptist Church in Buckhead which led to the creation of 20 small groups with Muslim and Christian co-coordinators. They meet at least once a quarter to share faith experiences and visions for the future.

    "I don't think just knowledge about [another] faith is any good," Johnson says. "You've gotta meet someone who is of the faith, who is speaking out of conviction and out of experience to really feel what Islam is like."
    Plemon T. El-Amin, imam of the Masjid of Al-Islam in East Atlanta, says Johnson "puts Muslims at ease, because he's mastered the broad, historical perspective of Islam, but also some of the nuanced details."

    As for a Christian speaking about Islam, El-Amin says, "People are more open to learning a new perspective from someone they respect. Ben is not trying to convert anyone, but to inform people and build understanding."

    "When I heard him talk about Islam, I thought, 'We need him!'" says Jan Swanson, coordinator of the interfaith group World Pilgrims. "Many Christians are fearful of Islam, so they put up barriers. They trust Ben, so they are willing to take the first step and listen for understanding."

    Johnson says Dr. Jumaan is "like a daughter" now, and he and his wife, Nan, visited her this summer in Yemen. He also participates in a contemplative prayer group that includes a Muslim, a Hindu, a Buddhist and a Jew.

    "If you sit in silence, you can get deep enough into your faith that it touches another person," he says. "The reality is that at the core we're all the same."

    What surprises him most, he says, is that "in my 76th year I would be passionate about getting Christians, Jews, Muslims and Hindus together. Nothing in my history would point me in this direction. This is not my dream. I think it's the spirit of God."

    Source

    Pastor learns about Islam, tries to bridge gap with Christians


    "I spent thirty years learning manners, and I spent twenty years learning knowledge."

    ~ 'Abdullāh bin al-Mubārak (rahimahullah)
    chat Quote

  2. Report bad ads?
  3. #2
    Eric H's Avatar
    brightness_1
    IB Oldtimer
    star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    uk
    Gender
    Male
    Religion
    Christianity
    Posts
    3,817
    Threads
    34
    Rep Power
    0
    Rep Ratio
    135
    Likes Ratio
    78

    Re: Pastor learns about Islam, tries to bridge gap with Christians

    Greetings ands peace be with you Brother Osman my friend,

    Thanks for starting this thread and it is good that people are making an effort to get on with each other despite their differences.

    I guess for a number of years now I have based my faith on one God, which means we are all created by the same God, and the same God hears all our prayers. I have a sincere belief that God has given me a faith through Christianity and the same God has given you a faith through Islam. It does not make sense that I should try and change what God has given you, in order that we should get on together.

    I have this perception that the greatest challenge God has given us; is how do we get on with each other despite all our differences?

    I do not think it is necessary for me to learn the Koran, and for you to learn the Bible in order that we should get along. It makes more sense that I should strive to be fair, just, prayerful, and bring glory to God through Christianity and you likewise through Islam.

    In the spirit of praying for a greater interfaith friendship,

    Eric
    chat Quote

  4. #3
    north_malaysian's Avatar Full Member
    brightness_1
    IB Oldskool
    star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Penang Island, Malaysia
    Religion
    Unspecified
    Posts
    8,215
    Threads
    219
    Rep Power
    130
    Rep Ratio
    30
    Likes Ratio
    1

    Re: Pastor learns about Islam, tries to bridge gap with Christians

    Wow... Evangelicals and Muslims friendship........ good news
    Pastor learns about Islam, tries to bridge gap with Christians

    Assalamualaykum... I am back!!
    chat Quote

  5. #4
    suffiyan007's Avatar Full Member
    brightness_1
    Full Member
    star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Dangerous World
    Gender
    Male
    Religion
    Islam
    Posts
    498
    Threads
    14
    Rep Power
    96
    Rep Ratio
    15
    Likes Ratio
    1

    Re: Pastor learns about Islam, tries to bridge gap with Christians

    hehehe...! that's Good....pastor intention to learned about islam..hope allah guide the pastor to enter islam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!....yahoo. all the churches became mosqueS!
    Pastor learns about Islam, tries to bridge gap with Christians

    Jalla Allahu Fi 'oulah, Ma lana rabbun siwah.
    laa ilaha illa Allah
    chat Quote

  6. Report bad ads?
  7. #5
    coddles76's Avatar Full Member
    brightness_1
    IB Senior Member
    star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Sydney, Australia
    Religion
    Unspecified
    Posts
    607
    Threads
    23
    Rep Power
    97
    Rep Ratio
    51
    Likes Ratio
    0

    Re: Pastor learns about Islam, tries to bridge gap with Christians

    Quran Ali Imran

    [83] Do they seek for other than the religion of Allah? While all creatures in the heavens and on earth have, willing or unwilling, bowed to His Will (accepted Islam), and to Him shall they all be brought back.

    [84] Say: "We believe in Allah, and in what has been revealed to us and what was revealed to Ibrahim, Isma'il, Ishaq, Ya'qub, and the Tribes, and in (the Books) given to Musa, 'Isa, and the Prophets, from their Lord: we make no distinction between one and another among them, and to Allah do we bow our will (in Islam)."

    [85] If anyone desires a religion other than Islam (submission to Allah), never will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter he will be in the ranks of those who have lost (all spiritual good).
    chat Quote

  8. #6
    Eric H's Avatar
    brightness_1
    IB Oldtimer
    star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    uk
    Gender
    Male
    Religion
    Christianity
    Posts
    3,817
    Threads
    34
    Rep Power
    0
    Rep Ratio
    135
    Likes Ratio
    78

    Re: Pastor learns about Islam, tries to bridge gap with Christians

    Greetings and peace be with you Suffiyan007;

    hehehe...! that's Good....pastor intention to learned about islam..hope allah guide the pastor to enter islam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!....yahoo. all the churches became mosqueS
    The same God hears all our prayers, and if I pray that all the mosques become churches, then what happens between us?

    In the spirit of praying for a greater interfaith friendship.

    Eric
    chat Quote

  9. #7
    hungry4knowhow's Avatar Limited Member
    brightness_1
    Limited Member
    star_rate
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Chicago, IL
    Religion
    Unspecified
    Posts
    11
    Threads
    2
    Rep Power
    0
    Rep Ratio
    87
    Likes Ratio
    0

    Re: Pastor learns about Islam, tries to bridge gap with Christians

    Assalama alaaikum Brothers and Sisters

    Here is Brother Yusuf Estes telling his story of reverting to Islam, along with his wife and father.

    Brother Yusuf and his father were both Preachers in Texas. Amazing video its about 45mins long but it is worth the watch I promise you that.
    chat Quote

  10. #8
    hungry4knowhow's Avatar Limited Member
    brightness_1
    Limited Member
    star_rate
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Chicago, IL
    Religion
    Unspecified
    Posts
    11
    Threads
    2
    Rep Power
    0
    Rep Ratio
    87
    Likes Ratio
    0

    Re: Pastor learns about Islam, tries to bridge gap with Christians

    http://www.islamictube.net/watch/fd3...rs-enter-islam

    there is the video. It didnt post to the reply above sorry.
    chat Quote

  11. #9
    north_malaysian's Avatar Full Member
    brightness_1
    IB Oldskool
    star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Penang Island, Malaysia
    Religion
    Unspecified
    Posts
    8,215
    Threads
    219
    Rep Power
    130
    Rep Ratio
    30
    Likes Ratio
    1

    Re: Pastor learns about Islam, tries to bridge gap with Christians

    format_quote Originally Posted by Eric H View Post
    Greetings and peace be with you Suffiyan007;



    The same God hears all our prayers, and if I pray that all the mosques become churches, then what happens between us?

    In the spirit of praying for a greater interfaith friendship.

    Eric
    I hope there are no more mosques converted into churches and no churches converted into mosques... just leave the houses of worship alone.

    The Muslims still remember Cordoba Mosque and the Christians still remember the Hagia Sophia....
    Pastor learns about Islam, tries to bridge gap with Christians

    Assalamualaykum... I am back!!
    chat Quote

  12. Report bad ads?
  13. #10
    Izyan's Avatar
    brightness_1
    Account Disabled
    star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Religion
    Unspecified
    Posts
    498
    Threads
    9
    Rep Power
    0
    Rep Ratio
    7
    Likes Ratio
    0

    Re: Pastor learns about Islam, tries to bridge gap with Christians

    format_quote Originally Posted by north_malaysian View Post
    I hope there are no more mosques converted into churches and no churches converted into mosques... just leave the houses of worship alone.

    The Muslims still remember Cordoba Mosque and the Christians still remember the Hagia Sophia....
    Brother this is one of the most sensible things I've heard on this board.
    chat Quote

  14. #11
    Amadeus85's Avatar Full Member
    brightness_1
    IB Oldtimer
    star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate star_rate
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Poland
    Gender
    Male
    Religion
    Christianity
    Posts
    2,165
    Threads
    47
    Rep Power
    109
    Rep Ratio
    32
    Likes Ratio
    1

    Re: Pastor learns about Islam, tries to bridge gap with Christians

    format_quote Originally Posted by north_malaysian View Post
    I hope there are no more mosques converted into churches and no churches converted into mosques... just leave the houses of worship alone.

    The Muslims still remember Cordoba Mosque and the Christians still remember the Hagia Sophia....
    To be more precise Cordoba was a church too.
    But with rest I agree, leave houses of worships alone and untouched.
    Pastor learns about Islam, tries to bridge gap with Christians

    This country is dying because of a lack of men, not a lack of programs.

    - Corneliu Zelea Codreanu
    chat Quote


  15. Hide
Hey there! Pastor learns about Islam, tries to bridge gap with Christians Looks like you're enjoying the discussion, but you're not signed up for an account.

When you create an account, we remember exactly what you've read, so you always come right back where you left off. You also get notifications, here and via email, whenever new posts are made. And you can like posts and share your thoughts. Pastor learns about Islam, tries to bridge gap with Christians
Sign Up

Similar Threads

  1. Replies: 0
    Last Post: 10-30-2012, 10:30 PM
  2. Usama Learns How To Weep...
    By umm julaybib in forum General
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 05-23-2012, 09:34 AM
  3. Replies: 0
    Last Post: 01-18-2008, 11:40 PM
  4. learns the Quran and teaches it
    By thinkislam78 in forum Islamic Multimedia
    Replies: 13
    Last Post: 08-15-2007, 03:25 PM
  5. How your child learns
    By therebbe in forum Health & Science
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 08-20-2006, 11:00 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
create