Food for Thought

I’ve been catching up a bit on my reading, recently finishing a book entitled ‘Seeking Allah Finding Jesus.  It is an interesting account of how a young university student came to faith in Christ. It is well worth a read for that aspect alone but in addition it provides an excellent opportunity to learn more about the Islamic faith.  I highly recommend it as a book and will gladly make my copy available to anyone interested.

There are some key aspects that were part of his journey that are appropriate Food for Thought.  The young Muslim’s name was Nabeel and his faith journey involved a relationship with a young Christian named David.  They hit it off at university and became very good friends.  A key word here is relationship; a relationship deep enough to allow them to challenge each other on what they believed.  In our busy world are we spending enough time in relationships with those God has placed in our path?

David was immediately challenged with the arguments Muslims present against Christianity, EG reliability of the scriptures etc.  But David in his own faith journey had spent significant time exploring and studying the arguments that critics of all stripes throw at Christians.  A good reminder that we should take 1 Peter 3:15 seriously: “But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence."

The good news is that as a result of the Holy Spirit and David’s willing and knowledgeable witness Nabeel did come to Christ but at considerable cost.  He loved his family dearly but was essentially disowned by them.  But in spite of the hardship Nabeel grew in the Lord and became a prolific author and speaker for the cause of Christ. Only heaven will know the number of believers that will be in glory as result of the witness of a college student named David. 

After earning his doctorate in medicine from Eastern Virginia Medical School, Nabeel Qureshi subsequently completed an M.A. in religion at Duke University and an MPhil in Judaism and Christianity at the University of Oxford, he became a Christian apologist powerfully making the case for the scriptures and faith in Christ.

Relationship, Biblical knowledge, willingness to share the Gospel as the Holy Spirit Leads, are all good servings of food for thought and reflection.

The bitter sweet end to today’s edition is that Nabeel himself is today in glory, dying from stomach cancer at the young age of thirty-four.

Pastor Dave