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The coming of the Lord Jesus Christ to Bethlehem constituted very good news to all people! As the angel of the Lord said to the shepherds: “Behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11).
Jesus has borne our sins. That is good news of great joy! The biblical term for good news here is evangelion. From this we derive the term evangel, meaning “good news.” The four Gospel writers, known as Evangelists, each wrote his own gospel. Good news, good news, good news, good news!
Since the time of the apostles, missionaries have gone forth into all the world to preach the good news. Since Jesus is the only way to heaven, truly this is a wonderful message.
Nevertheless, many cultures and religious systems have set themselves up to oppose the message of Christ. In most Muslim societies, for example, the biggest shame one could bring upon their families is to embrace Jesus as Lord. Doing so robs the person and family of all honor.
Since most Muslims do not make decisions based on “right and wrong” but upon calculations of “honor and shame,” they may even consider the Good News to be Bad News. Leaving Islam causes shame. So, some Muslims who come to faith in Christ remain secret believers. Everyone ministering to Muslims will have encountered this dynamic somewhere along the way.
During the annual Summer Institute of Islamic Studies, we will be discussing the issues of ministering in honor-shame cultures. In the “Contemporary Issues in Ministry to Muslims” we will take a deep dive into this critical topic by exploring the following questions:
How do honor-shame dynamics influence individual versus group decision-making?
What does it mean for Muslim converts to “bear Jesus’ reproach” as written in Hebrews 13:13?
Consider Paul’s word to the Philippian jailer, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household” (Acts 16:31). Is this a promise to all believers that all of their family members will be saved?
Should we adjust the gospel message to Muslims so that it comes across more as Good News?
What impact does the concept of “Bad News” have on missionary identity and self-perception?
How can we re-assess our understanding of the Good News even though it may upset family relationships among unbelievers in the short-term?
The class title is “Contemporary Issues in Ministry to Muslims” and will be offered July 7-11, 2025--either on campus or online. The class is available as a seminar or for credit at BA, MA, and doctoral levels. Register for seminar by June 23 and for credit by May 5. Information and registration link or email lafonk@evangel.edu for more information.
Check out this video regarding some of the issues this class will address.
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