I am often asked about the justification for using the Quran for Muslim evangelism.
Opponents of this form of outreach cite several reasons against using the Quran.
Proponents of using the Quran have equally strong arguments for incorporating the use of the Quran in Muslim outreach.
Personally, I have successfully used studies that began with the Quranic references to the Muslim names for God, studies on the Muslim holy books, the resurrection in Islam, the Muslim prayer ritual, and holy jihad.
Now, by successful, I mean that I am able to launch from the Quran to the Bible and eventually furnish Muslims with Bibles and start deeper studies centered on the Bible.
Some of these studies are one on one, and others were conducted in group settings.
This is what successful Muslim evangelism can look like; communicating the Gospel of Christ effectively.
So why use the Quran for Muslim evangelism? There are many reasons, but three main reasons that I often give.
Firstly, I use the Quran because it communicates your respect for the beliefs of your fellow man.
Assuming those of another religion are wrong without adequately investigating their actual beliefs can come across as arrogant and disrespectful.
Knowing the fundamentals of the Quran shows that I take Islam and the Muslims' belief seriously.
I cannot understate the importance of this in Muslim culture.
I should note that there is a difference between knowing the religion of Islam and knowing and using the Quran as well.
This is because it's easier for any adherent of a religious system to refute what an outsider has heard or thinks he knows about his sacred religion.
Refuting the adherent's own holy book is a harder matter.
Secondly, I use the Quran for Muslim evangelism because leading men from what they know to what they don't know is a common evangelistic practice.
Muslim evangelism, while it has its own peculiar challenges, is still evangelism.
The Biblical precedent for this is clear.
Jesus used common proverbs, yet refuted the 'commonly accepted wisdom' that He did not agree with (Luke 12:54 & John 9:1-3).
The Book of Acts records the Apostle Paul quoting pagan philosophy (Acts 17:28 and Titus 1:12).
Thirdly, there is such a wealth of common ground material in the Quran that can be used effectively for Muslim evangelism.
I have often documented the 21 truths found in a simple reading of Sura 3:42-55.
There are numerous references to Jesus Christ in the Quran.
Some are stronger than others, undoubtedly.
Some are opposed to Christian doctrine.
What remains, however, is verse upon verse and bridge upon bridge that can aid Muslim evangelism immensely.
Most of these references were probably borrowed from the Old testament and early New Testament manuscripts.
It has been reported that Muhammad had an early manuscript of Matthew through chapter twenty four.
This can explain a lot of the Quranic references to the Messiah.
As stated, there are several reasons for using the Quran for Muslim evangelism.
The Quran, and specifically, the numerous references to Christ, is uniquely fitted as an evangelistic tool From a Muslims stand point, it is completely believable.
Some of the truths about Christ in the Quran come across as shocking to Muslims upon first hearing.
Their normal Islamic training can be challenged to the core on many fronts.
The logical progression many Muslims make is from the Quran to the Bible.
I encourage you to consider learning of and incorporating the Quran in your Muslim evangelism.
I'm certain that what you find will surprise and enrich you.