The Qur'an and the Christian: An In-Depth Look into the Book of Islam for Followers of Jesus

by Matthew Aaron Bennett

Overview

Understanding Islam's sacred text is integral to understanding your Muslim neighbor Cross-cultural missionary and scholar Matthew Aaron Bennett blends the insights of Islamic believers, secular Qur'an scholars, and missionaries to Muslims, making The Qur'an and the Christian like no other resource for Christian ministry to Muslims. Combining these perspectives in one guide better equips Christians to communicate the biblical gospel to friends and neighbors who are adherents to Islam--both in and out of majority-Muslim cultures.

The Qur'an and the Christian addresses issues both simple and profound, such as:

• How the Qur'an came to be, including Muhammed and the Qur'an's textual precursors

• The major themes of the Qur'an and how these shape the practice of Islam

• The presence of Bible characters, Jews, and Christians in the Qur'anic text

• Whether and how a Christian should read the Qur'an

• Avoiding miscommunication with Muslims when the Qur'an and Christian teaching seem to overlap

This book will help Christians learn how to explore Islamic faith with missiological wisdom and biblical precision. The Qur'an and the Christian will give believers the insight to deepen friendships, promote understanding, and clarify the biblical gospel among Muslim friends and neighbors.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780825477560
Publisher:	Kregel Publications
Publication date:	04/26/2002
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Matthew Aaron Bennett (PhD, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary) is assistant professor of missions and theology at Cedarville University. He has over seventeen years of intercultural ministry experience, including leadership and teaching in majority Muslim contexts.

Table of Contents

Preface 9

Introduction 11

Part 1 The Qur'an as Revelation

1 The Event of the Qur'an 21

2 The Revelation of the Qur'an 45

3 The Instruction of the Qur'an 69

Part 2 The Qur'an as a Text

4 The Qur'an and Previous Texts 95

5 The Qur'an and the People of the Book 115

6 The Qur'an as Mosaic 133

Part 3 The Qur'an and the Christian

7 Should Christians Read the Qur'an? 159

8 Should Christians Use the Qur'an? 197

9 The Gospel and the Problem of the Qur'an 229

Conclusion 251

Editorial Reviews

03/14/2022

In this unapologetic polemic, Bennett (40 Questions About Islam), a missions and theology professor at Cedarville University, offers a flawed conservative Christian critique of the Quran. Though Bennett exhorts Christians to read the Quran as an act of “neighborly love” and “for understanding, communication, and comparison,” this volume forgoes neutrality and empathy for dubious analysis emphasizing the “fundamental dissimilarity” between the religions. One of the central differences, Bennett posits, is that Muslims please God through the act of ethical living while Christians can only please God after accepting Jesus as their savior. The author engages in biased readings of Islamic scripture and tradition, such as when he distorts the definition of the Sunnah (the traditions and practices of the prophet Muhammad) or reductively frames Islamic obligatory prayer (salat) by its divergence from Christian prayer. Bennett does provide some insight into the structure, arrangement, and rhetorical features of the Islamic holy book (noting, for example, its use of inference and rhetorical questions to impart its teachings), but the end result is a narrow-minded, error-ridden take on the Quran that many Muslims will neither recognize nor appreciate, and will leave Christians with an incorrect impression of the text and faith. (May)

Publishers Weekly

”Written with a comfortable mastery of the subject, Matthew Bennett's The Qur’an and the Christian is a well-articulated, charitable work of solid scholarship. Designed to enhance meaningful discussions with one's Muslim neighbors, it also serves as an excellent introduction to Islam. Bennett leaves no doubt about the important differences between the Qur'an and biblical revelation, but helpfully opens the door to understand how Muslims think, especially about Christians and the Bible.

retired professor of missions and Islamic studies at Southeastern Seminary - Ant Greenham

Matthew Bennett’s newest study is one more example of his deep understanding of Islam, rigorous scholarship, and sincere passion for Christ. What a wonderful guide for Christians who seek to reflect the image of Christ to their Muslim neighbors!

Bill and Connie Jenkins Professor of Islamic Studies, director, Jenkins Center for the Christian Understanding of Islam - Ayman S. Ibrahim

There is a lot of confusion about Islam and the Quran. Confused by the apparent similarities between the Qur’an and the Bible, many Christians have drawn erroneous conclusions and devised unbiblical approaches to Muslims. If you have ever been confused, read this book; it will clear your mind. What I love about the book is that while it is compassionate and loving toward Muslims, and acknowledges the similarities, it does not obscure the reality of fundamental differences. Dr. Bennett will challenge you to engage Muslims effectively by sharing with them the truth in love.

president, Horizons International - Georges Houssney

In The Qur’an and the Christian, Matthew Bennett invites and equips Christians to read the Qur’an with an informed understanding, in order to better understand and share the gospel with their Muslim neighbors. Warning readers about the dangers of focusing on similarities between the Bible and the Qur’an without comprehending real and profound differences, Bennett argues, with great erudition, that knowing how the Qur’an bends the worldview of its followers away from biblical truth is an ‘essential first step’ to introducing Muslims to the Jesus of the Bible. This book is an outstanding tool to help Christians understand the spiritual worldview of Muslims and share the love of Christ with them.

senior research fellow, Arthur Jeffery Centre for the Study of Islam, Melbourne School of Theology, director, the Instit - Mark Durie