Our urban centers especially, as the centers of culture and direction as a nation, are being populated by the Muslim community. If we are going to relate to our world, we must know what these folks think and believe.
Houghton NY (Vocus) March 18, 2010 –-
Many Christians are puzzled by the rising profile and influence of Islam across the world and in the United States and Canada. They see reports in the news about violence and terror in connection with Muslim extremism. It is increasingly common to have friends and family who are involved in the United States presence in Afghanistan and Iraq. Christians suspect that there is more to understand about Islam than what they see in news clips or read in brief articles in papers.
Questions abound and are tough to answer. Are all Muslims inclined towards terrorism? What is jihad? How should one think about Allah versus the God worshipped by Christians? What is our responsibility as Christians in relation to Muslims we meet?
On March 18, 2010, the Houghton College Church Relations Office will host a conference dealing with issues and concerns of the relationship between Christianity and Islam. The conference is designed to sharpen understanding of Islamic teachings and interact with Houghton professors who have many years of experience living among and interacting with Muslims and their world. Through plenary sessions and workshops, attendees will learn about ways Christians can lovingly listen and respond to Muslims – opening doors to dialogue and friendship.
As the only Christian college in the Eastern United States with an academic concentration in Islamic studies, Houghton will rely on key faculty and staff for the conference leadership. The presenters have had extensive experience living in Muslim communities and teaching on the subject.
“We encounter Muslims in our daily lives – professionals, students, on public transport, in our cities,” commented Dr. Paul Shea, Associate Professor of Missions. “Our urban centers especially, as the centers of culture and direction as a nation, are being populated by the Muslim community. If we are going to relate to our world, we must know what these folks think and believe. Primarily, we must know how to share the love of God in Christ with them. Is there any topic actually more prevalent in daily headlines than Islamic countries, terrorism, and religious diversity?”
The two primary plenary sessions will be presented by Dr. Don Little, Missiologist-at-Large with Arab World Ministries and lecturer in Arabic and Islamics at Houghton College. Dr. Little will give a presentation entitled “Islam, Jihad & Terrorism – A Christian Response.” This presentation will explore the relationship between traditional “moderate” Orthodox Islam and the politicized radical Islam of today. The meaning of jihad will be discussed by looking at Islamic traditions and texts, and the session will conclude by examining ways that Christians are being called to respond. Dr. Little will then present a second session titled “Loving Muslims in a Post 9-11 World.” The discussion will give an overview of ways in which Christians have related to Muslims throughout history up to our present time. It will then ask what strategies of witness are vital for the current climate, and help the audience understand how God is calling the Western Christian community to express their love for Muslims of this generation.
Workshops will be offered by Houghton faculty throughout the day. Dr. Benjamin Hegeman will present a workshop entitled, “A Compassionate Response to Muslims in Crisis,” where he will explore how to approach and communicate the Christian faith with a Muslim friend. Dr. Jonathan Case will lead a workshop on “Intro to the Qur’an: Sources of Authority for the Ummah: Qqur’an and Sunnah,” where he will answer questions regarding the origin of the Qur’an, how it was compiled and organized, how Muslims understand it theologically and the basic principles of Islamic interpretation. Dr. Paul Shea will outline the origins, beliefs and practices and discuss several key theological challenges that Islam presents to Christians in his workshop called “Islam 101 – Why is it Difficult to Understand?” The day will end with a panel discussion featuring all of the presenters.
For further information regarding the day’s schedule, visit the Houghton College Church Relations Office website at http://www.houghton.edu/churchrelations.
Houghton College, founded in 1883, provides an academically challenging, Christ-centered education in the liberal arts and sciences to students from diverse traditions and economic backgrounds and equips them to lead and labor as scholar-servants in a changing world.
The college of 1,200 students is located in western New York, just 65 miles from Rochester and Buffalo. For more information, please visit http://www.houghton.edu
Elaine Tooley, Communication Specialist
PH: 585.567.9211
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