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Dear Abdullah – Eight questions Muslim people ask about Christianity

Reviewed by Philip Joy.

A while back I reviewed a book entitled Beyond Beards and Burqas, which helped Christians go beyond stereotypes of Muslim people. This book seems to be the ideal companion, equipping us to answer some of the really quite profound questions Muslims ask of Christianity. Its author, Robert Scott, is in charge of international outreach at St Helen’s, Bishopsgate, and draws on a wealth of personal experience reaching out to Muslim people. He calls us to seek out the ‘people of peace’ who will discuss their questions openly. His book sets an example of patient, Christ-centered teaching. I will summarize the eight questions.

First: “How can we know an incomprehensible God?” After all, don’t human analogies like love break down before the unknowable Divine. Scott begins with the common ground of God the transcendent Creator, but takes us on to the immanent God of covenant relationships, the final revelation of whom is are fulfilled in Jesus.

Second: “Don’t Christians only do Sundays?” To answer those used to clear rules about everything in daily life, Scott shows how Christian living is a 24/7 response to the mercy of God.

This kind of detailed approach characterizes the whole book. Third: “What sort of God can be murdered?” Here Scott brings in the ubiquity of sin and the salvific work of Christ.

Fourth: “What kind of God can be born as a baby?” Here the personal God of the Old Testament is shown to reach its apotheosis in the Incarnation.

Fifth: “But Christians worship three gods?” Here the One-ness of the Old Testament, and the Three-ness of the New is supplemented by compelling arguments about the freedom of the Trinity from the twin extremes of individualism and totalitarianism.

Sixth: Where does Christianity end and Western culture begin?” Here Scott takes us to the freedom we have in Christ and the paradox that Christianity is both culture-affirming and counter-cultural.

Seventh: “Hasn’t the Bible been corrupted?” Here Scott takes us to the self-authenticating nature of Christian Scripture and invites Muslims to taste and see.

Eighth and fiinally: “How can we be sure about God?” Here Scott takes his readers to the revelation God makes of himself to us in Christ by the Spirit.

In answering these in-depth questions, we are given a pretty fulsome account of the Christian faith as well as a resource for sharing with Muslims. There are helpful chapter summaries as well as provoking study questions both for Christian and Muslim readers. Best of all, Scott conveys a gentle and respectful example of listening and discussion. Well worth buying, especially for those working in a multicultural context.