Last year it was reported that several international mission organizations, including Youth With A Mission (YWAM) are testing a new approach to missionary work in areas where Christianity is unwelcome. A March 24 Charisma News Service report said some missionaries are now making converts but are allowing them to "hold on to many of their traditional religious beliefs and practices," so as to refrain from offending others within their culture. The Charisma article noted: "Messianic Muslims, who continue to read the Koran, visit the mosque and say their daily prayers but accept Christ as their Savior, are the products of the strategy which is being tried in several countries." A YWAM staff writer wrote: "They continue a life of following the Islamic requirements, including mosque attendance, fasting and Koranic reading, besides getting together as a fellowship of Muslims who acknowledge Christ as the source of God's mercy for them... YWAM is also adopting this approach in India, where a team is working with a Hindu holy man." (Foundation, May/June 2000, p. 39)

Mosque attendance and Koranic reading endorses Allah as the only true God and Mohammed as his true prophet. The Koran sees Jesus as only a prophet and not God's Son. Can one be a Messianic Christian and a Muslim believer at the same time?

About the Author: Orrel Steinkamp is publisher of The Plumbline newsletter and director of Plumbline Ministries. He has served as a missionary to Viet Nam, Professor and pastor in Australia, as well as America. Most recently he has retired from the pastorate to pursue Plumbline Ministries fall time. (He received his M.Div and Dr. of Ministry degrees from Bethel Seminary).

Dr. Orrel Steinkamp
74425 Co. Rd. 21
Renville, MN 56284