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What Does the Bible Say About..Teaching Muslims?

I work with several Muslim men who I have become friends with. They frequently ask me questions about certain aspects of Christianity. I don't know if they are searching or just curious. Is it wrong, as a woman, for me to teach them when they ask a question? Also, I found a Christian website that compares Islam to Christianity and another website that has the entire Koran in a searchable format. I spent some time reading it to better understand their beliefs. I am strong in my faith and took none of what I read to heart, but I feel I may have sinned in reading it, even though I did it only to aid in answering their questions. What do you think? Thanks for your time.

Answer

Whether your co-workers are seeking or just curious, it is a compliment to you that they think you to be one to ask about Christianity. It shows that you live your religion rather than just believe in it. It is especially a compliment to you because you are a woman.

Is it wrong for you, a woman to teach unbelieving males? Certainly not! In Acts 18:26 we find an example of a woman (along with her husband) teaching an unbelieving man the gospel. "And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly." Perhaps God has you in that place just so you can teach these men.

Is it wrong to read the Koran? No! I read my copy, especially so I can understand and teach those who believe it. Acts 8 tells of a preacher named Philip talking to an Ethiopian eunuch. The Ethiopian was reading from Isaiah when Philip joined him. In Acts 8:35 we read: "Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus." Philip started with what the Ethiopian was reading, and taught about Jesus. Granted, the eunuch was reading the Bible, but we need to start where one is to teach them about Jesus. With Muslims this means starting with the Koran. That may not be as hard as it sounds, since the Koran also talks about Jesus as a prophet of Allah but not as a messiah or savior.

You may also find it useful to make a distinction between Christ and Christianity, between the actions of some who call themselves Christians (or Muslims) and what is really taught. Just as many Muslims say the actions of some in Al Qaeda violate Koran, we have a long history of so-called Christians violating the Bible, especially in our relations with Jews and Muslims.