Divisions in Culture and Religion

While the religious differences between Christians and Muslims are significant, sometimes cultural differences can be even greater sources of misunderstanding and mistrust. Different perspectives can also be opportunities to learn from each other. Cultural differences may inhibit or enhance our ability to proclaim Christ, as well as a Muslim’s ability to receive our message.

In recent years many Muslims have cited the book “The Gospel of Barnabas” (available on the web) in order to show that Jesus was a good Muslim. Jesus is portrayed in the book as a prophet who prays, speaks and acts exactly like traditional Muslims.

An interesting distortion is that Satan is portrayed as the one to claim Jesus as God. The author of the “Gospel of Barnabas” has rewritten the Biblical Gospel to make it agree with the Qur’an. The aim of the book is to try to convince people that Jesus was a Muslim and predict the coming of Muhammad. It is a direct distortion of the Bible.

Prayer Starters:

* Pray for those witnessing to Muslims to understand the cultural differences as well as the religious differences.
* The Gospel is cross-cultural – pray that this truth be believed and acted upon by Christian workers.
* May God give Muslims insights into the errors of the Gospel of Barnabas.
* Meditate on these texts in prayer: Matthew 5:43-48, Hebrews 1:5-8.