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Christianity Today, June, 2008 |

Unapologetic Apologist

Jay Smith confronts Muslim fundamentalists with fundamentalist fervor.

Deann Alford in London | posted 6/13/2008 09:24AM

On a gray sunday afternoon at the famous Speakers Corner in Hyde Park, London, a turbaned man jabs his finger into the chilly air as he preaches to 200 people crowded around him. Two followers behind ...

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kay adewuyi

Posted: June 26, 2008 9:52 AM

being the best in apologetting isn't the matter, but being able to do it in such a way that the TRUTH is established and made clear for any sincere inquirer to understand.Thank God 4 these people who are bold enough to confront the religious virus eating up "John Wesley's UK".Christians in Britain, wake up and defend ur heritage!Earnestly contend 4 d faith that was handed to u by ur fathers,if you don't take charge you'll be discharged. i would only advice that they improve on their skills and approach and never forget that the battle is best won on our knees. God bless u Smith, God increase u Groove. thank you.

R.W. S.

Posted: June 25, 2008 7:07 PM


Machte Virtute! Smith. While both America and Europe sleep, you are awakening those few who see the longterm vision of the Prophet's followers: world conquest, by persuasion, over-population, or the sword. Whether we can thwart their realization of that vision is at least problematic, but Smith is doing more than most of us are.

Weston

Posted: June 24, 2008 4:57 PM

I was in London a couple Sundays ago and watched Jay Smith debate at Speakers' Corner in Hyde Park. I was glad to learn more about Jay's background and how he came to have a passion for debate and its value. As I sat watching him, he definitely is getting a hearing. By far the largest crowd is around him and his "debate" opponent, complete with the flag mentioned in the article. I watched Truth be shared. Truth does confront and I was encouraged by his witness. Another person in the crowd who was sharing with Muslims, appeared to be an Arab Christian. This man was taking a lot of verbal abuse from the Muslims listening to him. As I sat and watched him continue in his attempt to discuss and persuade his Arab Muslim "friends", I prayed that Christians who had converted from Islam, would someday be empowered and emboldened to share as passionately about the Truth.

Adnan Hyde Park

Posted: June 21, 2008 7:07 PM

I am Adnan, the person mentioned in the text. It is not surprising at all to find a distorted version of the debate at speakers corner. As far as the evidence is concerned Zacharia 5:7 states that a woman is some how wickedness; 1 Chorinthians 14:34-35 (...it is a shame for women to speak in the church). Many more evidences can be cited to substantiate that the Bible clearly descriminates against women. As far as Quran is concerned, the Christians either do not have Knowledge of or they deliberately misrepresent it. For instance to understand 4:34 please read the commentry of Ibn Kathir on Tafsir.com. 4:19 (treat women kindly) presents a contrasting picture which The fundamentalist Christians never mention. As for inheritence, the women in Islam have no financial obligations but the men do, so infact men are to sustain mother, sister, daughter and wife. women dont. Mr Jay Smith's reality can be witnessed at youtube in the video titled "Jay smith exposed". See debates with me also.

Leios

Posted: June 18, 2008 6:30 AM


Right on Jay and friends. Evangelicals should stop pussy-footing around with timid syncretistic "dialogue" and argue the case for Isa Al Maseh. Jay Smith reminds me of Raymond Lull

Dieter Fischer

Posted: June 17, 2008 9:45 PM

Islam is spreading so fast only because there are few Christians (and politicians) who stand for their beliefs. The Gospel, according to Jesus himself, offends many. That's why they turn away. The secret is to tell the truth in love, not merely win an argument. Can anyone tell me, why in Saudi Arabia, for instance, you are not allowed to hold a Christian prayer meeting, yet Islam believers in the UK and other Western countries can build schools and gigantic mosques? Tolerance is good - sometimes. Love is better - always!

FLEUR

Posted: June 17, 2008 10:50 AM


"TONY" WROTE:"unfortunatley, smith's hypocracy undermines his misguided efforts." I ASK, "HUH?" "HOW?"

Chuck

Posted: June 16, 2008 11:14 AM


Great article. I'd love to visit Speaker's Corner sometime!

artm	Posted: June 16, 2008 6:06 AM


It means just what it says," Muslims in the United Kingdom embrace radical Islamic teaching " They intend to take over the nation. And I am not even a journalist.

TSJ	Posted: June 15, 2008 7:53 PM

The problem with discussing peacemaking and violence with Muslims is that it *invariably* turns into a festival of Israel-bashing. They simply won't acknowledge that Israel has a fundamental right to protect itself from the evils of Islam that surround it. I hope that now and then Smith tosses in the fact that the Q'uran claims Jesus was never crucified. If there's anything in the Q'uran that's disproven by simple, inarguable historical fact, it's that one. And once you point out that glaring lie in Muhammad's book o' B.S. it's easy to snowball through the others. Bravo to Smith for fighting evil face-to-face.

Helen James

Posted: June 15, 2008 5:06 PM

'The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against he knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.' It's encouraging to know that some in London are doing just that. May more of us do the same using the strength, confidence and passion - driven by obvious love for the Muslim - as seen in those written about in this article. This article brought another verse to mind...'for we do not have a spirit of timidity, but of power and love'... the both can be combined as this article shows. Thank you for writing it.

Philip

Posted: June 14, 2008 7:24 AM


We need to engage Muslims actively. The gospel is an offence in every sense of the word.

Ephrem Hagos

Posted: June 14, 2008 1:07 AM


What a great mutual tolerance, if not the beginnings of unity in faith, there would be, when Christians and Muslims find out their Scriptures actual share the holiest of possible mysteries, viz.: the same, identical, divine Christ! The price: as Smith has already said, a big "move beyond anything we have been taught" without sacrificing the truth!

Adarsh

Posted: June 14, 2008 12:29 AM

As a resident of Hyderabad, an Indian city that has the highest Muslim population in the country, it's extremely common to see discrimination among Muslim women no matter where you are. But then again, our country is still struggling to bring equal rights to women throughout all religious communities, including Christians (3-4% of the 1bn+ population). It's relatively easier to do something like that in a 'Christian' country like the UK, but in India, it's another story. I guess that's what the challenge is- where Christians are the minority, are we still able to stand for Christ and evangelize? Paul did it! Good article, though. Hit one star by mistake!

ReligionWriter.com

Posted: June 13, 2008 8:46 PM


Just wondering, as a journalist, what this sentence from p. 1 means: "The biggest trend among Muslims in Europe is radical Islamic teaching." Seems like this is a pretty big generalization about 51 million people. And what does "biggest" mean here? Sources?

A Hermit

Posted: June 13, 2008 6:52 PM

Islam has grown in part because "christians" professed intellectual beliefs, talked "God" talk, but more often served Mammon (materialism, worldly power, and profit). "Western Civilization" may have brought Christian intellectual beliefs and cultural trappings, but the real thrust was power and material gain for the benefit of the wealthy. India only confirms this- Missionaries brought Christian beliefs and some charitable work, but the primary thrust was profit for English companies and power to the British crown. Christians being love, as Mother Teresa and Charles de Foucald will evangelize best. The 'Christian' West must live its values, throw down its idolatry of individual and corporate material profit. Winning debates is necessary, but not the issue. Living Christ is.

tony	Posted: June 13, 2008 5:55 PM


unfortunatley, smith's hypocracy undermines his misguided efforts.

Pablo Vermillion

Posted: June 13, 2008 5:00 PM


Great to see a bold Christian declaring his faith much the way the Apostle Paul did.

Nathan Woodard

Posted: June 13, 2008 4:52 PM


Good article maybe we as Christians should apply this style to reaching our own country here in the USA

Lee Rand

Posted: June 13, 2008 3:24 PM


Great, but how long before he's charged with a "hate" crime??

Patricia

Posted: June 13, 2008 3:18 PM


Good for him!! While this isn't my style of evangelism (I couldn't do it well), there is definitely a place for it. I'm glad that Jay Smith is willing to put himself out there like this. I think he'll be very effective.

Joe Chip

Posted: June 13, 2008 3:15 PM


A great article. Jay Smith is the man! Thanks to CT for reporting on this movement.

pastor Eric J. Hanson

Posted: June 13, 2008 2:33 PM


I am humbled and amazed at the dedication in the heart of this man. May God bless and protect him. Amazing about the Muslim who says that he will never convert even though Jesus has appeared to him twice in dreams. Let's all pray for him to become open to the Lord. Jesus Christ is Lord! He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father, but thorugh Him.

Mike	Posted: June 13, 2008 2:11 PM


Great article. Christians should not be afraid of Islam. Jay Smith is witness to that.

charles Jackson

Posted: June 13, 2008 1:54 PM

Radically self effacing, gentle and winsome in manner and style, with the truth (which is radical indeed) about what Jesus said about Himself and the Father, and the Holy Spirit. Let us walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which we have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. From the heart love- in your face truth, the way Jesus did it.

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