https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGPIrcV5h6Q
I once saw a video with James White on ABN. He was supposed to be talking about Islam but he ventured a little off topic to make a point. He spoke of his ministry to Jehovah’s Witnesses and how he uses a certain tactic. White has two main proof texts that he uses in his dialogue with them. He explains that after the first one is used, there will be a pause as the JW will not have an answer. At this point it’s fun to gloat but it’s imprudent. The correct approach is to tell them to think about it for a bit then ask to show them another one. Dr. White says that they always allow it. From my street corner dialogues, I would say that I have a similar experience. Dr. White is correct on that one.
All of my readers know that I dialogue with Muslims and have an interest in bringing them to true faith. When I dialogue with them, I normally let them pick the topic. I don’t mind. It’s usually the Trinity or Bible corruption but other topics come up. Quite often Muslims who are at dawah booths may quote the Bible. In my dialogues, I find this to be a death sentence for them because if the Bible taught Islamic doctrine, the early Church would have accepted it.
So when Muslims quote the Bible, I contextualize the verse they’re misquoting then quote a verse really close to it to show that the Bible teaches the Christian position. At this point, there is usually a pause. It’s similar to James White and the JW. What to do?
When Muslims quote the Bible, I notice a common theme. They’re not following the evidence, they’re finding ways around it. A lot of them don’t recognize what they’re doing.
So far I haven’t found a way to bring this up without them resorting to saying the Bible is corrupted which is what usually happens when their Bible plans don’t work. I suppose this would be consistent with their faith since they don’t accept the Bible. But then why were they quoting it in the first place. In this case, I’ll expose an inconsistency but I haven’t really moved up the field in terms of scoring points.
I’m just trying to find ways that I can do this but keep them in the Bible conversation. The JW is bound to what Scripture says so he’s not going anywhere. The more I engage in apologetics, the more I learn of the extremely small role of debating. It’s not about having answers but how to communicate them. We have to be gentle but firm but at the same time it has to work. So this dilemma is my current struggle. Lord willing I’ll have the answer on how to communicate this message soon.
He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
– Titus 1:9
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