Adventist Identity in the Context of Communicating with Muslims
So, are you a Christian? Before my friend could say yes, I asked Farid, “When you think of Christians, what do you think?” He was embarrassed at first then replied, “Alcohol–in Iraq all the liquor stores are owned by Christians.”
Over the years the list had included other areas such as US foreign policy, Zionistic support from American Evangelicals, sexual immorality (Hollywood lifestyle), immodesty, and followers of a deficient religion with a corrupt text (Bible). I know that you are protesting already, Christian to you means following and loving Jesus.
But I am afraid it does not matter what you think, if you are going to communicate effectively, you need to walk across the road and hear what others are hearing.
So, are you a Christian? How would you answer this question in a meaningful way, that conveys our identity and makes sense to Farid? There are several options.
Yes, I am a Christian but not that kind.
Actually, I am an Adventist.
I am a Muslim follower of Jesus.
I am among the True People of the Book
How can you decide how best to communicate in a context that does not share your basic assumptions? The answer is to “hear” what the other person is hearing.
Option 1 — Yes, I am a Christian but not that kind; I do not drink alcohol and follow Jesus and the Bible closely. The word Christian is so negatively loaded over the centuries that a little tweak won’t suffice to open the door to who you are. I met a man who said, “I am a communist, but not hardcore, I have my own version.” Well, after that I no longer had a desire to explore his views of what is wrong in society because having lived in the former Soviet Union, I saw where communis ideas lead! For an Adventist, not drinking alcohol or eating pork is a good thing, but too small in the face of the avalanche of negativity associated with Christianity.
Option 2 — I am an Adventist. The problem is twofold. First, the word Adventist means nothing to a Muslim, since it is rooted in a Latin term that does not form part of a Muslim’s repertoire of ideas. So, even though you expand on it, in the end it still may sound like “whatever that is, is not for me; it is foreign”, and foreign in a conservative context is to be suspected, at best, or simply rejected. Second, it sounds like those many sects out there, so this is nothing but one among a market of many more.
Option 3 — I am a Muslim follower of Jesus. While the term Muslim means submitted to God, and indeed submission to God is core to who Adventists are, this is not what Farid is hearing. It is very probable that he will ask you, “When did you convert to Islam (took your shahada)?” And once you explain that this is not what you meant, it may sound as if you are being dishonest.
Option 4 — I am among the True People of the Book. First of all, I want to be honest that In 25 years I only once met a Muslim who was familiar with this concept. So let me break it down based on the Qur’an ( Al Imran 3:113-115).
There are some among the People of the Book who are upright, who recite Allah’s revelations throughout the night, prostrating. They believe in Allah and the Last Day, encourage good and forbid evil. They are among the righteous. They will never be denied the reward for any good they have done. And Allah has knowledge of those mindful ˹of Him˺.
These People of the Book sound like a “faithful remnant”. As we would describe it, these people recite the scriptures (worship), they believe in God and the Day of Judgement, do good, and have a clear sense of obedience by doing what is right and forbidding what is wrong. Note that they are called upright and righteous, approved by God.
Since the Qur’an is the supreme authority for a Muslim, finding a category nested within their own authoritative sources brings out the most possibility for wanting to know more about such people who are different and righteous by God’s definition.
Am I claiming to be “righteous”? Here love and humility matter. When I meet Muslims who want to know who we are, this is what I say. “ Brother/ sister I find my people in the description of Al Imran 3:113-115, a group among the People of the Book who are faithful to what God has sent to us, abstain from pork, alcohol and other forbidden practices, and waiting for the soon descent/return of Isa al Masih, may his peace be upon us.”
Gabriela Phillips serves as the coordinator for Adventist Muslim Relations in the North American Division. She and Carmelo Mercado have shared several articles over the last few months on Cultural Intelligence (CQ).