Abdu Murray: Answering The Major Worldviews

Abdu Murray is a former Muslim who after years of seeking to disprove Christianity and convince others of his own faith’s legitimacy, came to faith in Jesus Christ. In his presentation, Murray takes a section from his book Grand Central Question: Answering the Critical Concerns of the Major Worldviews and discusses how the Gospel answers Islam’s question and desires for the very nature of God. In their own declarations of Allah Akbar, Muslims declare that God is greater or the greatest. Murray states that he himself used to challenge Christians with the idea that a God that is tri-theistic, who can be reduced to human form, and even crucified, is not a great God. What he himself discovered was that the God of the Bible and His characteristics exemplify the
greatest of what a God can and should be.
Murray sets scripture as his foundation, specifically 1 Peter 3:15, emphasizing that we should always be prepared, and informed. He also uses Colossians 4:5-6, stressing that while we make the most of every opportunity, we are to do so in considering people, not issues, or views themselves. We should get to know the ones we are trying to reach, and what they are asking and seeking. In doing so, we fulfill the requirements laid out in these verses.
Murray then addresses 3 major points of disagreement that Muslims have with the Christian faith, shows how one can reveal the truth of them to those we encounter, and use it to point to the Bible and Christ’s work as the revealing word and atonement of God. First is the understanding of scriptures validity. While Muslims have been taught that the New Testament writings have been changed and corrupted over the years, Murray points to verses in the Quran itself that urge Muslims to read
the New Testament and heed its teachings. He points to the language usage as being present tense, showing that this is an ongoing command. He states that if these scriptures are in fact corrupted, (which in Islamic belief necessitates the Quran), then why does this command stand. Also, why would an all-powerful great God allow this? Either He is could not stop it, or would not, and either of these disqualify His greatness. In validating the Trinity, Murray points to the Islamic view of God being eternal and above all things, relational, and loving. God is lacking in nothing and is Himself the origin of love, which is a relational quality. Love requires a receiver, which is expressed perfectly within the Trinity. The Father is self-love, one person, the Son is love directed, and the Spirit is the third component that brings communal love. In this, the Trinity represents a God who is perfectly relational, and expresses it without the need of anything outside of Himself. The Incarnation in no way limited God, but became the greatest expression of love, which is self-sacrifice. Scripture tells us that Christ died for us while we were still sinners, revealing His perfect love, and truly fulfilling the decree of Allah Akbar, God is greater/greatest.
In my current ministry setting, this topic has great implications. In the past year, I have had the opportunity to serve in two separate Muslim countries. The last trip was one that afforded the opportunity of long conversations with Muslims about these differences. With future trips already being planned, this information is exciting, and also a challenge to equip myself that I may be better prepared to give an answer to the person them.