Posted on 12/23/2006 9:24:09 AM PST by John Philoponus
RECORD NUMBER OF EX-MUSLIMS CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR: Spiritual revolution underway in Mideast
More Muslims converted to faith in Jesus Christ over the past decade than at any other time in human history. A spiritual revolution is underway throughout North Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia. As a result, a record number of ex-Muslims are celebrating Christmas this year, despite intense persecution, assassinations, and widespread church bombings.
During the writing of Epicenter, my wife and kids and I lived in the Mideast for three months. During that time, I had the privilege of interviewing more than three dozen Arab and Iranian pastors and evangelical leaders throughout the region. The picture they paint is one of Christianity being dramatically resurrected in the region of its birth. A snapshot:
Iraq: more than 5,000 new Muslim converts to Christianity have been identified since the end of major combat operations, with 14 new churches opened in Baghdad, and dozens of new churches opened in Kurdistan, some of which have 500 to 800 members. Also, more than 1 million Bibles shipped into the country since 2003, and pastors report Iraqis are snatching them up so fast they constantly need more Bibles.
Egypt: some reports say 1 million Egyptians have trusted Christ over the past decade or so. The Egyptian Bible Society told me they used to sell about 3,000 copies of the JESUS film a year in the early 1990s. But last year they sold 600,000 copies, plus 750,000 copies of the Bible on tape (in Arabic) and about a half million copies of the Arabic New Testament. "Egyptians are increasingly hungry for God's Word," an Egyptian Christian leader told me. Last Christmas, I had the privilege of visiting the largest Christian congregation in the Middle East, which meets in an enormous cave on the outskirts of Cairo. Some 10,000 believers worship there every weekend. A prayer conference the church held in May 2005 drew some 20,000 believers.
Afghanistan: only 17 Muslim converts to Christianity before 9/11/01, but now more than 10,000. Dozens of baptisms every week.
Kazakstan: only 3 known Christians in 1990, but now more than 15,000.
Uzbekistan: no known Christians in 1990, but now more than 30,000.
Sudan: more than 1 million Sudanese have converted to Christianity just since 2000, and some 5 million have become Christians since the early 1990s, despite a radical Islamic regime and an on-going genocide that has killed more than 200,000. Seminaries are being held in caves to train pastors to shepherd the huge numbers of people coming to Christ. Why such a dramatic spiritual awakening? "People have seen real Islam, and they want Jesus instead," one Sudanese evangelical leader told me.
Iran: in 1979, there were only 500 known Muslim converts to Christianity, but today Iranian pastors and evangelical leaders tell me there are more than 1 million Iranian believers in Jesus Christ, most of whom meet in underground house churches.
In December 2001, Sheikh Ahmad al Qataani, a leading Saudi cleric, appeared on a live interview on Aljazeera satellite television to confirm that, sure enough, Muslims were turning to Jesus in alarming numbers. "In every hour, 667 Muslims convert to Christianity," Al Qataani warned. "Every day, 16,000 Muslims convert to Christianity. Every year, 6 million Muslims convert to Christianity."
Stunned, the interviewer interrupted the cleric. "Hold on! Let me clarify. Do we have six million converting from Islam to Christianity?" Al Qataani repeated his assertion. "Every year," the cleric confirmed, adding, "a tragedy has happened." ....
I sure hope this is true
These numbers ought to make the mullahs' something-or-other pucker.
I don't buy these numbers. Uzbekistan, according to the State Dept, in 1996 had 5.5% ethnic Russians, 9.9% Orthodox religion.
Kazakhstan, 36% Russian, Ukranian, German. These countries did not have essentially 0% Christian population, even among the Uzbeks, Kazakhs and other traditionally Muslim groups.
10,000 Christians in Afghanistan? They're either extraordinarily well-concealed, or there are hundreds and hundreds of martyrdoms we're not hearing about.
mrs VS
Mrs VS
Mrs. VS, you have to understand that Orthodox and Roman Catholics don't count to these people.
Very good point. But, I think he's only counting muslim converts not people born into Christian families.
10,000 Christians in Afghanistan? They're either extraordinarily well-concealed, or there are hundreds and hundreds of martyrdoms we're not hearing about.
Afghanistan? My bet would be on the latter. How much news do we get out of there anyway? Close to zip.
Every life lost by an American Soldier is bringing thousands of souls to Christ.
If this is true, we need more than ever to pray and help these new converts. I get baptized and get congratulated. In islamic countries, they are truly putting their life on the line. Islam does not suffer conversion to any other religion well.
*Confirmation of the Afghan number from ABC News: http://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=1772925
*In Iran, according to Wikipedia, there were 140,000 Christians, mostly Armenian Apostolic (Orthodox); some Caldean Catholic, some Assyrian, but this number is supposedly down from 1975. Operation World makes no mention of any sudden growth. I find one report of an evangelical fundraiser predicting one million Iranian Christians by the end of 2007, but no evidence this anything but preposterous boasting.
*Only 3 known Christians in 1990? Kazakhstan is 44% Russian Orthodox and 2% Protestant (CIA factbook).
*Sudan's Christian population is growing, but more likely from animist converts than Muslims
*Other nations referenced: If they're going Christian, its not been told to any outsiders.
CONCLUSION:
This story is largely nonsense. The December, 2001 broadcast was probably an Islamicist attempt to convince listeners that the Westerners were Crusaders.
Burg or berg?
This guy is dreaming. I call rubbish on this story.
Could this be nothing short then a miracle?
The one former Muslim who has become public with his conversion to the Christian faith is Wahlid Shobat, what he is doing is an act of courage. Otherwise they have to be quiet about it for their own safety.
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