A Muslim is a Muslim is (not) a Muslim

Please see the important note at the end of today’s email. 

Todd Johnson is the co-director of the Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Seminary and a faithful Muslim Connect reader.(Clearly equally impressive credentials!) Mustafa Akyol is a Turk who writes extensively about “the intersection of public policy, Islam, and modernity.” (Sadly, it would appear he doesn’t even know about Muslim Connect!)

In a recent Christianity Today article, Dr. Johnson interviewed Akyol about his latest book, “Reopening Muslim Minds: A Return to Reason, Freedom, and Tolerance.”

Akyol asks this key question: Can Muslims be Muslims and participate in the modern world without abandoning who we are?

Notice this question is asked by an insider. Akyol describes himself as “a ‘born-again’ Muslim, [having rediscovered my faith] in my college years.” He’s asking his tribe, but we can listen in and wonder.

You may have heard someone say, “If a Muslim isn’t committed to the dominance of Islam even to the point of killing those who won’t follow, they’re not a real Muslim.” This conviction is espoused in different parts of the Muslim world and in varying quarters in the US.

Toward answering his question, Akyol goes back to the early days, scholars and approaches to Islam to see if that is really true; if it is indeed the only way. Read the article or the book to get a brief or fuller answer, but as you’d guess, he thinks there are options.

Smart people are always thinking and writing about God. (Unless God is you or a trinket in your garage, how can you not? He’s God!) That said, I lack the context to understand the degree to which Mustafa speaks the heart language of other Muslims. Clearly he doesn’t speak for all. But I’m glad he’s speaking out. . .to his tribe and to us.

 

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