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The leaders noted the increased importance of evangelicals in the world, but also their lack of understanding toward Islam. Evangelicals, they pointed out, take their Scriptures seriously, as do Muslims—a characteristic the Muslim leaders had not found among some more liberal Christians.

How can we best respond? On the national and international level, evangelical leaders can join with other Christian leaders in signing a response written by members of the Yale Center for Faith and Culture (http://www.yale.edu/faith/abou-commonword.htm) and having it published in one or more major newspapers where Muslims will see that, despite the genuine differences between our faiths, Christians do not consider them enemies.

Signers would reasonably include leaders of national organizations such as the National Association of Evangelicals, international mission organizations who see the need for peacemaking as part of our witness, major evangelical publications like Christianity Today, and evangelical academic institutions like Fuller Theological Seminary. Those willing to sign could contact the Yale Center for Faith and Culture.

In addition, consultations jointly sponsored by Christian and Muslim institutions or organizations should be held both in the West and in Muslim countries to study our scriptures to determine where we really agree and differ, establish resources for cordial relations and peacemaking, and set guidelines for cordial witness (which both Muslim and Christian scriptures require) without the misuse of disparity of power in various contexts. Yale, Cambridge, Georgetown, Fuller, and the National Association of Evangelicals all have had fruitful experiences with such consultations. Certainly evangelicals should take a prominent role in sponsoring and participating with Muslims in such endeavors.

The same kind of discussions needs to be fostered on the local level between churches and mosques. The Conflict Transformation Program at Fuller Seminary and the Salaam Institute (headed by Muslims) at the American University has developed some materials that have been used in this way. Muslims have taken the first step through this open letter to Christians. Let us not miss this opportunity to respond humbly.

J. Dudley Woodberry is professor of Islamic studies at the School of Intercultural Studies, Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, California, and served in the Muslim world for many years..

Copyright © 2007 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

"A Common Word Between Us and You" has an official website, with Christian responses, Jewish responses, the letter, media coverage, and more resources.

The Yale Center for Faith & Culture has made its response to "A Common Word" available online.

Dudley Woodberry wrote "Can We Dialogue with Islam?" for Christianity Today, and co-authored "Why Muslims Follow Jesus," which we posted yesterday.

Other Christianity Today articles on Islam and other religions are available online.

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October (Web-only) 2007, Vol. 51