A Comparative Study of the Self-Revelation of Jesus Found in the Canonical New Testament and the Jesus of the Qur'an, and the Effect a Muslim Seeker's Understanding of Jesus Has Upon Their Decision to Convert to Christianity

According to World Book Encyclopedia, there are an estimated 1.1 billion Muslims in the world . That equates to approximately one-fifth of the world's total population. Islam as a religion, is second only to Christianity in the total number of adherents world-wide, and is estimated to be growing at a rate greater than the estimated total population growth of the world. Yet, from the perspective of a missionary who spent forty-four years on the mission field in Iran, 'the number of trained and Spirit-filled witnesses for Christ among the Muslims of the world is utterly inadequate' . And though the number of missionaries to the Muslim peoples have increased since Dr. Miller made that statement in 1976, there is yet much to be done.

With this great need comes the question, how can Muslims best be reached with the gospel of Jesus Christ? Which is the most productive point-of-contact for ministering to Muslims? In simple terms, which topic, which subject matter, or which theological issue - when pursued aggressively, comprehensively and yet lovingly - will produce the most open doors for discussion, provoke the most thought, and afford the best opportunity for Muslims to hear the gospel and be converted?

And, though the question may be evangelistic by nature, the purpose of this study is not necessarily to discover the most effective evangelistic tool. Rather it is an investigation into what appears to be the most effective spiritual tool used by the Holy Spirit to reach the lost adherents of Islam.

Christians recognize Jesus as the absolute center of Christianity. His life, death, and resurrection are at the very core of our faith, the central focus of our worship, and the only source of forgiveness of sin, and eternal life. This study investigated the effect a biblical understanding of Jesus had upon the decision of a Muslim seeker to convert from Islam to Christianity.

After a comprehensive investigation of the historical background of the Qur'an and its teaching concerning Jesus, and a comparable study of the historical background of the canonical New Testament and its teachings concerning Jesus, the testimonies of Muslim converts were reviewed to see whether this issue was somehow mentioned as a factor in their unrehearsed testimonies concerning their conversion to the Christian faith. The question being investigated was, how dynamic an issue was their understanding of the person of Jesus in their decision to convert? Although societies differed, individuals differed, and sects of Islam differed, there appeared to be a common thread that ran through the testimonies of most all of those who had turned from Islam and embraced the Christian gospel - a biblical understanding of Jesus.

This study, therefore, focused its investigation upon the one theological element, which appeared to be of significant importance to Muslim seekers in their decision to embrace the Christian faith - Jesus.