On this edition of The Exchange, listen as Ed Stetzer and Dr. Erwin Lutzer discuss the importance of cross cultural evangelism in the church.
Dr. Erwin Lutzer is a speaker and author who has been the head pastor of the famous Moody Church since 1980.
Lutzer recently released his own biography titled, He Will Be the Preacher. The interview begins with a brief discussion of the book.
Lutzer then discusses the importance of cross cultural evangelism in the church, specifically the intersection of Islam and Christianity in the world today.
In his book, The Cross in the Shadow of the Crescent, Lutzer describes how the rise of Islam is a serious cause for concern among Christians but also a great opportunity to share the gospel.
In response to the rise of Islam, anger and fear are not options.
Christians need to realize that God allowed us to be born at this moment in history for a purpose.
“Churches need to develop courageous Christians who are willing to stand up for their beliefs and gladly identify themselves with Christ.”
Christians also need to build bridges to the Islamic community instead of being fearful.
How can I build a bridge? Christians can build bridges with Muslims through friendship.
Love: There is no love in Islamic culture and faith. As human beings, created by God our hearts crave His love. The love of God displayed through words, actions, and the Scripture has the power to soften even the hardest of hearts.
Respect: As humans we want to be heard. Take time to listen to Muslims, respect their point of view, and listen to what they have to say. Love them without compromising your beliefs and trust God to do the heavy lifting for you.
“I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh” – Ezekiel 36:26
Take time to understand Islam and how it relates to Christianity. Don’t respond to Muslims with fear or anger but with love and respect.
