Carl Medearis - Muslims, Christians, and Jesus

Muslims, Christians, and Jesus is commendably objective and biblically trustworthy. I cannot recommend too highly this theologically praiseworthy study.

Dr. Vernon C. Grounds, Chancellor, Denver Seminary

So much of our training about sharing Jesus with others has an artificial, even adversarial tone. This book strikes a different and refreshing note. You might not agree (at first) with everything Carl says but you cant afford to ignore his message.

Steve Moore, President & CEO, The Mission Exchange & Keep Growing, Inc.

Ive known Carl Medearis for many years and have constantly been challenged by the quality of his life and ministry. His heart for those who dont know Jesus is evident to all.

Mike Bickle, International House of Prayer of Kansas City, and author of Passion for Jesus

I have experienced Carls compassion for people first-hand. His wisdom and experience give him unique insight into... sharing Christ with the Muslim world.

Ted Dekker, bestselling author of Skin, House, and Three

Carl Medearis is one of the most authentic Christians I know. I have spent time with Carl in the Middle East, and my own view of Muslims has been shaped by Carls living example. I was very moved when I was released from prison, to find that Carl wanted and tried to come to Iran to negotiate my release. I would highly recommend his books so that others can be changed like I have been.

Dan Baumann, author of Imprisoned in Iran

Medearis takes an admirable task here: to teach us the gospels, not the governments, perspective on Muslims. There is a lot to reflect on as he shares his perspective in this thoughtful work.

Advance

[Carl Medearis] writes with humor, authority, and wisdom on the power of Jesus to draw people to himself, from whatever background. His new book will leave you empowered and inspired.

Daniel Morris, consultant and author of The Pattern of His Presence

With a gracious spirit, Muslims, Christians, and Jesus attempts to outline the differences in these monolithic faiths, and help churches see the most important issue at hand is not assigning blame to terrorist organizations but rather, how do we love people to a real relationship with Jesus. You wont be able to put it down.

Andy Braner, President of Kanakuk Colorado, author of Love This! and Duplicate This!

My longtime friend Carl Medearis has helped me understand so much concerning the world of the Middle East. His message is not theoretical but is borne out of a life lived passionately for Jesus in a for all to see lifestyle.

Randy Sutter, Sr. Pastor of Vineyard Christian Fellowship, Cottonwood, Arizona

This is a book deserving to be read and pondered and acted on, even if the only Muslim contact is a colleague at work.

The Lamplighter

2008 by Carl Medearis

Published by Bethany House Publishers
11400 Hampshire Avenue South
Bloomington, Minnesota 55438
www.bethanyhouse.com

Bethany House Publishers is a division of
Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
www.bakerpublishinggroup.com

Ebook edition created 2010

Ebook corrections 05.19.2016

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwisewithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

ISBN 978-1-4412-0988-7

Unless otherwise identified, Scripture quotations are from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations identified NLT are from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations identified NASB are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE. Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)

Cover design by Dan Pitts
Cover photo by Nicole Gibson, www.nicolegibsonphotography.com

To Chris.
This book is as much your story as it is mine.

Without you I wouldnt understand people or love God like I do.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Two friends have encouraged me for years to write down these thoughts for others to read: Ted Dekker and Floyd McClung. Thank you, dear friends, for believing in me and for pushing me to stop running long enough to sit quietly and write.

Also a huge and special thank-you to my dear friend Samir K. You helped me understand Jesus in new ways and introduced me to the Arab world at a level far beyond my capability. Youre the best.

TO THE READER

Meet Carl Medearis, my friend. In May 2003, just days after Saddam Husseins statue was toppled in Iraq, Carl called me from Basra to tell me an amazing story of what happened after a sheikh asked him, What are you doing here? Youll find that story, The Basra Sheikh, in this book. Youll also get to read one of my all-time favorite stories, Being a Hope Broker. Listen when Carl says, What I find most effective and most Christlike is to stay focused on Jesus.

To have such great stories you know there has to be a catch, and this is it: Jesus is the person behind Carls experiences. Jesus is the catch. Jesus is creating a new humanity, a new citizenship, made up of all who have faith in him, whether they call themselves Christians or Muslims.

Jesus is the draw. Not Carl, not you or me. More of Jesus, all of Jesusthe Jesus of the Bible. In the history of the world who but Jesus could say, Dont be afraid; you believe in God, believe also in me. I go to prepare a place for you, that where I am you may be also. Of whom else did men ever say, Even the winds and waves obey him. Who but Jesus spoke with his dying breath, Father, forgive them, they dont know what they have done. Only Jesus ever said, Your sins are forgiven, thus disturbing the religious leaders but setting sinners free.

Jesus Christ is not great in the way we describe Alexander the Great. He is Jesus Christ the Only. And to draw people to Jesus you need... well, you need Jesus. The real Jesus is discovered in peoples homes, where real friendships grow. Carls book takes place in living rooms. Its a dialogue of love and respect. And right now the people of Jesus are much in need of loving and respecting Muslims.

I hope youve sat in a living room with Muslim friends. My Muslim friends are Kurds. I had the privilege of living in Kurdistan, Iraq, during the 1990s. They taught me a lot about love and respect. Then in 1997, when hundreds of Kurds came to the U.S. as refugees, I started a nonprofit organization, Friends of the Kurds, to help them resettle in Seattle. Dozens of American families opened their homes and hearts to the new arrivalstired, poor, and yearning to be free.

The next stories about Muslims, Christians, and Jesus will be written by you and other readers. Dont hold back when the Lord tells you what to do and say.

BOB BLINCOE
U.S. DIRECTOR, FRONTIERS

CONTENTS

Some people feel they need an enemy. We like to know who the bad guys are. Many Americans grew up watching simplistic Westerns. Everyone knows the bad guys wore black hats. For a long time, Communists were the guys in black hats, especially the Russians. Since the Russians are no longer the threat they once were, a new enemy was needed.