How God Is Drawing Muslims Around The World To Faith In Jesus Christ

Pretty good look at history in different regions inhabited by Muslims and what has happened with the spread of christianity which has been encumbered with the baggage of those who have entered into different cultures. Pure good news is what has been needed and what is working for people today.

This shows how Islam is declining in spite of the media. Many are seeing that Christianity is the only answer to ones spiritual needs and Islam is not answering these questions. A good book to think about life in general and to think how God is working in the world.

Wow. I am encouraged by the research and engaging writing style of this author. For any Christian who works with and loves Muslims this is a real eye opener and encouraging read. For those who have prayed for the 10-40 window, God is answering prayers!

Very helpful book in seeing what is happening in global Islam as it relates to faith in Jesus as Messiah. Manages to stay objective and stick with observation rather than jumping into heavy interpretation of the data.

This book is an excellent review of Muslins learning about Jesus and coming to love and follow Him. It well written and well documented. I highly recommend this book. I have read it once and will read it again.

An important book for anyone interested in the state of engagement between Christianity and Islam in the world today. Balanced, fair, and well researched, this is one of the best books on the subject in years. I highly recommend it.

An excellent research piece. Garret and his team has put in a lot of hours and given us a good overview of the work happening. A must read for every Christian. Open our eyes to share Christ and expect God to move. God is still in control and many are turning to him.

Compelling insight into movements toward Jesus in the Islamic world. Written from a Christian perspective but very useful for academics and anthropologists in the secular world too. Well-written, with excellent historical context. It seems to me that the stories in this volume are just the tip of the ice burg. Waiting to hear more....

An excellent research piece. Garret and his team has put in a lot of hours and given us a good overview of the work happening. A must read for every Christian. Open our eyes to share Christ and expect God to move. God is still in control and many are turning to him.

Compelling insight into movements toward Jesus in the Islamic world. Written from a Christian perspective but very useful for academics and anthropologists in the secular world too. Well-written, with excellent historical context. It seems to me that the stories in this volume are just the tip of the ice burg. Waiting to hear more....

Excellent book - well researched which made it more than heart-warming stories about muslim conversions. I had to go back and read it again because there was so much information. If you are interested in getting the story behind the muslim world and the current work of the Holy Spirit in that venue, you will enjoy this book.

Everyone needs to read this book. It is filled with some great testimonials on how individuals have stepped away from the Muslim faith, at great risk for them and their families, to come to know and accept Jesus Christ into their lives.

I found this book compelling. It was solidly researched (historically) but the best part were the real interviews with real people all across the world. At the end I felt HOPE that God is truly at work in the House of Islam.

This book is difficult to review. It contains enormously important and exciting information regarding Muslims who have been increasingly coming to faith in Jesus but also leaves much to be desired. The author and his colleagues traveled extensively in Muslim lands interviewing those who had become Christians, although some of the Muslim believers did not use the label "Christian" to describe their faith, instead calling themselves simply followers of Jesus. The author divided the Muslim "house" into "rooms" based on geographic, cultural, and language considerations and attempts to provide insight into how and why Muslims become believers in Jesus. Some of these insights are quite surprising. However, the author attempts too much, diluting the power of his narrative by supplying a great deal of background information and history for each "room" in the Muslim house. When the believers are allowed to speak for themselves, their stories are compelling, but far too little of the book is devoted to these stories. Many of those who ultimately became believers repeatedly mentioned the crucial components of dreams and miracles as drawing them to Jesus, but these events are given short shrift, although they could well have proven to be the most fascinating parts of the book. The violence toward women and girls that seems to be an inseparable part of the Muslim culture is not addressed in a satisfying manner. Interviewed believers are not asked how their faith has affected their treatment of their wives and children or how their home lives are different now that they have become believers. To me, as a woman, this oversight is irresponsible on the part of the author and others who made decisions regarding what interview questions to include. Asking these questions could have served as an opportunity to provide a Biblical perspective (vs Western Christian perspective) on Godly relations between husband and wife. The issue is explored somewhat in the section on Western South Asia, which includes Afghanistan. In this section we learn that women are valued no more highly than sheep or goats, that a husband probably feels no emotional connection between himself and the girl that his parents have chosen for him to marry, and that extreme brutality against wives is carried out in the most casual fashion. A believer is quoted as explaining, "If a woman does something that does not please her husband-perhaps the food is late, or the animals are not properly cared for-the husband and his brothers will grab her by the hair and drag her through the streets to the cemetery, AND WE WOULD BURY HER ALIVE. This is not a story from long ago. This happens now. For any number of reasons we men would do this." After being provided with scriptures on the treatment of women as described in the New Testament, a small group of believing men proclaimed that they would "no longer beat their wives." From this changed attitude a women's movement began to grow but it had no occurred to these Christian men that refraining from brutalizing their wives was desirable from their previous study of the gospels. That these attitudes and behaviors are so ingrained that such a monumental shift in thinking as coming to Jesus from Islam may have no effect on them is disturbing and discouraging. The author misses a great opportunity in not confronting the issues at stake in the mistreatment of one half of the Muslim population by Muslim men, whether or not they are Christians. My personal opinion is that he may have been afraid that to do so would seem like imposing our "Western" standards upon their Christianity and their culture, however much that culture may engage in what any civil society would consider heinous criminal acts (child rape as in forced marriages between much older men and very young girls, beating girls and women, and murdering girls and women are generally considered criminal acts in civil societies). Unfortunately, the author is not content to allow the dramatic stories that he has collected speak for themselves. He ends the book with a moralizing chapter on turning the other cheek, not seeking an eye for an eye, and not fearing and hating Muslims. He does not make a clear distinction between violent jihadists with whom we are at war and those Muslims who desire to live in peace. However, it is impossible not to admire the courage and determination displayed by Muslim-background believers, some of whom lose everything, including their lives, for their faith. This book whets the appetite for more narratives that allow the reader to step inside the lives of these extraordinary people.

This book is worth more than a seminary course in Islam! The synopsis of Muslim history across the world is very valuable. The description of Muslim cultures across the globe is excellent and the methods of bringing Muslims to Christ in all its variety is a wonderful collection of great experience. As exampled in this real world book we must pursue educating Muslims about Christ and helping "secret" Muslims to be matured and increased in number so that they may turn the Muslim society away from evil and toward Christ from the "inside". Even as Naaman (see below) was forgiven for bowing to Rimmon, so we must forgive Muslims for bowing to Mecca lest they be immediately killed and the possibility of the flame of salvation being quenched thereof. We must open up doors of communication, but be as loving as possible since the Muslims must take responsibility for the timing and publicity of their own salvation before Jesus.

So Naaman said, "Then, if not, please let your servant be given two mule-loads of earth; for your servant will no longer offer either burnt offering or sacrifice to other gods, but to the LORD. Yet in this thing may the LORD pardon your servant: when my master goes into the temple of Rimmon to worship there, and he leans on my hand, and I bow down in the temple of Rimmon-- when I bow down in the temple of Rimmon, may the LORD please pardon your servant in this thing. Then he said to him, "Go in peace." So he departed from him a short distance. (2 Ki. 5:17-19 NKJ)

#prayerfornations #longingforMuslimstodiscoverthetrueJesus #watchmenarise

About half way through this book now, I FIND MYSELF BEING MOVED WITH INCREDIBLE COMPASSION FOR THE MUSLIM PEOPLE. I know radical Islam threatens the world. I know jihadists move into countries posing as refugees. I am a proponent of securing our borders and the careful vetting of all immigrants. I oppose all acts of terror.

HOWEVER, AS MANY (FOLLOWERS OF JESUS) JOIN IN THE POPULAR EFFORT TO VILIFY ALL MUSLIMS, THIS BOOK REMINDS READERS (NOT AS ITS GOAL, BUT AS AN INDIRECT RESULT) THAT GOD LOVES THE MUSLIM PEOPLE WITH A DEEP, DEEP LOVE. Filled will testimony after testimony of Muslims meeting Jesus and becoming his followers, THIS BOOK RE-HUMANIZES A PEOPLE GROUP THAT MANY, INCLUDING CHRISTIANS, ARE BEGINNING TO HATE MORE AND MORE.

All throughout the Muslim world (not just among Arab Muslims), THE KINGDOM OF GOD GROWS DAILY AS DOZENS OF MUSLIMS FIND FAITH IN JESUS. This book (published in 2014) tells their stories. Muslims are coming to faith in Jesus at a faster pace than at any other time in history!

As fellow followers of Jesus, let us not join in the wholesale trashing of Muslims. HATEFUL TRASHING OF MUSLIMS, CITING ONLY THE EVIL DEEDS OF THE RADICAL JIHADISTS, ONLY DEHUMANIZES AN ENTIRE PEOPLE GROUP THAT NEEDS JESUS.

JOIN ME IN PRAYING for the ongoing work God does daily in the Muslim world. Join me in praying for the eyes of Muslims in every nation to be opened to the reality of salvation through Jesus.

MAYBE IT’S TIME WE STOP POSTING ALL THE HATEFUL MATERIAL OUT THERE REGARDING MUSLIMS AND BEGIN INTERCEDING FOR THEIR SALVATION.

Consider this. THINK ABOUT IT BEFORE YOU POST ANOTHER ANTI-MUSLIM POST. Those posts will not change the world. PRAYING AND INTERCEDING FOR MUSLIMS AND THE WORK OF GOD AMONG MUSLIMS—THAT WILL CHANGE THE WORLD!

A Wind in the house of Islam by David Garrison
ISBN 978-1-939124-03-6
Published in 2014 by WIGTake Resources, www.WindintheHouse.org

One of my close colleagues in ministry advised me to get a copy of this book and read it. So I did. The book was eye-opening since it represents the latest research on movements of Muslims coming to Christ in the 21st century. Garrison states that he only investigated movements of Muslims to Christ which had at least 100 new churches planted or 1000 baptisms and which occured over a twenty year period (p.5). Anything less than that was not discussed in his book. With the assistance of many on-site collaborators, Garrison collected data from 45 movements in 33 Muslim people groups in 14 countries (p.26).

It was helpful to learn about the first voluntary movement of Muslims to Christ in history, prompted by Sadrach Surapranata (c. 1835-1924). Sadrach was determined to retain, yet reform for Christian purposes, as many Javanese customs as possible (p.47). Sadrach used the term mesjid (meaning 'gathering') to refer to churches. This was the same term that Muslims used to refer to their mosques. The parishoners were called imams (another Muslim term which literally meant 'the one in front'). Men and women sat separately and women had their heads covered just like Muslim women. Shadrach also adapted the Muslim creed, the Shahada ("There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is his prophet") to ("There is no God but Allah and Jesus is the Spirit of God").

It was interesting to learn why some Muslims are coming to Christ. One Muslim said that an evangelist shared with him a teaching that both Muslims and Christians share: that Jesus is coming again, and those who do not believe in him, he will destroy with his breath (p.64).

After being exposed to some comparisons of Jesus to Mohammad in the Qur'an, some Muslims have felt led to investigate what Jesus says about himself in the New Testament (p.71). The reader can assume that this Muslim came to Christ after this.

Garrison listed some additional reasons why Muslims are coming to Christ: dreams, answered prayers, dissatisfaction with Islam, changed lives, seeing Christians pray for one another while they don't see sheiks coming to pray for sick Muslims (pp. 76-77) and even seeing Christians praying before meals seemed to have a positive impact (p.121).

In Iran, thousands of Muslims are coming to Christ through satellite television and various websites featuring evangelists from Persian Muslim backgrounds (p.131).

In Eastern South Asia, many Muslims came to an initial faith in Christ through the Qur'an (p.114) but a fuller understanding from believers who explained the Qur'anic bridge passages using Greeson (2014).

Many Muslims are becoming followers of Christ without taking on a Christian idenity. Garrison cites two reasons for this. First, these new believers remain in the mosque in order to reach their friends and family for Christ (p.73). Secondly, sometimes when a Muslim comes to a church and says, "I want to become a Christian", many traditional churches say, "No" because they are afraid of the secret police. At times these traditional churches will even turn people in to the government when they say they want to be a Christian (p.216).

Unfortunately a lot of what Garrison said was not defined or documented or supported by any references.

The following descriptions had no reference support or inadequate definition or explanation:

"In the midst of this percolating cauldron [of the 1971 War of Independence in Bangladesh], the gospel was spreading virally, prompting tens of thousands of Bangladeshi Muslims to seek out baptism as evidence of their newfound faith in Isa al-Masih, Jesus the Christ." (p.17)

On page 57, Garrison refers to an 'insider model' but he never defines it.

On page 58, Garrison refers to Mike Shipman's 800 reproducing churches among several different Muslim people groups. But we don't know if these reproducing churches consisted primarily of those who were initially non-Muslims or Muslims.

On page 59, Garrison refers to a list of 97 verses in the Qur'an that supported the uniqueness of Jesus. But that list of those verses was not provided. However this reveiwer did find a website with a similar list.

On page 75, one Muslim is quoted as saying, "The Qur'an says that those who read the Qur'an are filled with pride, but those who read the Injil are humble." But again no Qur'anic reference was given.

David Garrison has written a well documented book about movement to Christ among Muslims in the 9 different "rooms" of Islam. Each room includes a history lesson about that region, followed by the ways that Muslims are being reached and finally personal testimonies from some who have chosen to follow "Isa", yet usually remaining in the Muslim community to reach and share with other Muslims.

Many of these testimonies are profoundly challenging and inspiring and there is undoubted evidence of the Holy Spirit's movement in a profound way. However may of the indigenised movements (C5) are virtually invisible to other Muslims, except the most sympathetic. One wonders what some of the interviewers would have said to a Muslim interviewer. This doesn't amount to the endorsement of a contextualisation that often blends into pure syncretism, that the author avoids warning against. Ex-Muslims need meat not a diluted mixture of the Gospel and Islam.
'I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.'
We're likely to see the resurrection of many of the old Trinitarian and Christological controversies with new variants, as Satan sows his tares among the wheat.

Like many "self-published" books, this book reads more like "Here's everything there is to know about this subject." I was hoping for more personal stories from the hundreds of interviews that were conducted. This book tends to bog down in historical background, which makes up 75% of the book. But, the stories they did include are compelling and interesting. I'm glad this book was written, and I hope and pray another book is needed in the near future, indicating that the trends presented in this book were just the tip of the iceberg!

This is an amazing book presenting a story which is sheer delight. Having been a missionary myself I appreciate the vital nature of cultural awareness. This story tells of the growth of the faith in Jesus as Lord and Saviour within a culture without the static of foreign influence.

Equally as interesting as well.. is how Allah (swt).. is drawing Christians and others to the faith of Islam.. like a gentle breeze in the hearts of humanity..

"The Spirit where He willeth doth blow, and His voice doth thou hear, but thou hast not known whence He cometh, and whither He goeth; thus is EVERYONE who hath been born of The Spirit."

John 3:8
Youngs literal translation

This is a well researched and written book. The method used to gather data is not extrapolation, but scientific and well-thought out. The organization of the data and book make it easy to read, even for a non-pastor type of person. This book encourages Christians that Muslims are not all lost and it lights a fire in the hearts of the readers to not give up, but go out and tell Muslims and others about the love of God.

David Garrison has an excellent reputation among Evangelicals for solid research and scholarship; however, it is my opinion there is a significant hiccup in this book.

Garrison does not seriously critique the idea of insiders, those who are allegedly followers of Christ yet retaining a Muslim identity. Can any serious accounting for the movements of Muslims to Christ not include a critique of insider movements (IM), no matter how brief? I guess it’s possible.

Garrison does not critique IM and so, in my opinion, takes a big hit to the credibility of his work. For instance, Garrison writes, “Thousands of Muslims are coming to faith and remaining immersed within their Muslim villages and communities, where they intentionally spread the news to family and friends that Jesus and Jesus alone can offer them assurance of salvation” (63). The notion of remaining immersed in one’s village and community is perfectly acceptable—and biblical—but what about remaining Muslim? This is where I believe Garrison should have stepped up to the plate and called a foul a foul, but since Garrison’s book is not so much an analytical look at the movements and more a report, one might not expect an critique of IM. But wait! Garrison does provide analysis with the 10 Bridges to Islam (how and why God is reaching Muslims) and Five Barriers to Movements (5 things we Christians can do to quench the Spirit of God’s move through the Muslim world). That sounds analytical, yet there’s nothing about one of the most controversial topics of today, IM.

The book is worth having and reading, but for the theological tip-toeing around insider movements by accepting them as part of what God is doing, let the reader beware.