THE GOSPEL IN CONTEXT
Newer Paths to Muslim – Christian
Understanding (DVD)
Speaker: Ron George
Eurasia.org.uk Discs 2: Sessions 20
It is vital that as Christians we understand the challenges Islam brings and how we might share the gospel with our Muslim neighbours. This DVD seeks to equip Christians in this task.
Ron George, who is the speaker, has a lifetime involvement in the work of mission and in reaching the Islamic world. He has written widely and taught in many places around the world. This wealth of experience is evident in the lectures he brings. This DVD series is packed with insights and observations concerning Islam.
Covering the issues
The DVD is divided into 20 sessions looking at issues such as what is a Muslim, the biblical context of Islam, considering Abraham, Ishmael and Isaac, and common themes in Islam. A number of sessions explore the matter of contextualisation and helpfully give examples of cultural application.
Ron speaks as a lecturer and so this is a DVD for someone who wants to think deeply concerning this subject and grapple fully with the challenges of Islam. As such it isn’t especially accessible for the average church member.
I was disappointed that the production wasn’t better. A number of things made the DVD a little inaccessible such as the varied length of the sessions from 20 to 45 minutes and the rather poor quality of the presentations. I found it irritating that any pictures were quite difficult to read and that at times Ron quoted the Bible differently from that which was on the screen.
But my major grumble was that at times those (such as a Jesuit missionary) who would in no way share our gospel beliefs were used as positive examples.
However, for a group who wish to study Islam in depth, be challenged to think through the issues and to discuss together, this could be a helpful resource. For it to be used in that way, then a workbook with notes, questions for discussion and suggestions for further reading would improve this resource.
