Author: Dr. Raouf & Carol Ghattas
Located in: Murfreesboro, TN
Submitted: May 10, 2010
Tell us a little about yourself. We have served for over 25 years among Muslims in the Middle East and North Africa. Raouf has his doctorate in Muslim evangelism from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, and Carol has her Masters from there as well. We have recently returned to the USA, where we hope to equip the American Church in reaching Muslims for Christ.
What was your motivation behind this project? As a native Arabic speaker and evangelist, Dr. Ghattas had insights into the Qur'an and Muslim traditional texts that most Christian workers did not have. We were encouraged as a couple to share that knowledge with others to see the coming generation better prepared to witness to Muslims.
What do you hope folks will gain from this project? It is our prayer that Christian believers called to reach Muslims in witness will be able to better understand what the Qur'an teaches and thus what a Muslim believes in order to then have a springboard to the Gospel. This book is to help Christians begin their witness from where the Muslim is in life and belief to then lead him to hear a clear and understandable presentation of the Gospel with the helps of the Scripture and witnessing tools given in the book.
How were you personally impacted by working on this project? As we worked through this project, we realized (and shared this in the introduction to the book) that anytime you work with the Qur'an, you must be in your Bible even more. The deception of the Qur'an must be continuously countered with the Truth of the Word of God, even for those of us who have worked with it for years.
Who are your influences, sources of inspiration or favorite authors / artists? Dr. Ghattas has always been strongly influenced by the Apostle Paul and his bold witness for Christ. He is also encouraged by the simple, direct and powerful evangelistic preaching of Billy Graham. Evangelism is always on the forefront of his thoughts.
Anything else you'd like readers / listeners to know: It is our prayer that readers will find this resource a useful guide to understanding the faith of their Muslim friends and neighbors and will encourage them to become bold and confident witnesses for Christ.
