A Shared Heritage: Reading biblical narrative with our Muslim friends
When: Friday, September 29, 7–9pm & Saturday, September 30, 9am–2pm
Where: Glencairn Church, 725 Erinbrook Drive, Kitchener
Cost: $20 per person suggested donation (includes a light refreshment on Friday and lunch on Saturday)
Facilitator: Emad Botros
In this seminar course, we will learn about the common heritage of the biblical stories we share with our Muslim friends. We will learn how to tell our own biblical stories, listen to theirs, and engage in faith conversations.
Registration deadline extended until September 24 27, so there’s still time to register!
Course Description
In our relationship with Muslims, our use of each other’s sacred writings have been challenging. As Christians, we often come to the conversation with our misconceptions about the Qur’an, as Muslims do the same with the Bible. This, of course, negatively impacts how we relate to each other. So, we will need to discuss these questions and more:
- What is the Qur’an?
- How can we understand the relationship between the Bible and the Qur’an?
- How can we use biblical stories to share our faith with Muslims?
- How can Muslims help me to explain my own biblical stories better?
- How can we build a healthy relationship with Muslims aiming for reconciliation between Muslims and Christians?
Agenda
- Friday—Session #1: What is the Qur’an?
- Saturday—Session #2: A Conversation between Jonah and Yunus
- Saturday—Session #3: Reconciling with Your Muslim Friends
“Imagine a reconciliation between Ishmael and Isaac in which they sit around the fire swapping family stories and telling their own versions of what happened. How much they would learn about themselves and each other”
JOhn Kaltner, Ishmael instructs Isaac
About Emad Botros
Emad was born in Egypt and is married to Almess Yousif. They have two boys, Timothy and Nathaniel. Emad and Almess lived in Canada from 2005–2015, where Emad served first with people with exceptional needs and then as a missionary with the Arab World Ministry. Emad currently is serving with Canadian Baptist Ministries as Assistant Professor of Old Testament at the Arab Baptist Theological Seminary in Beirut, Lebanon. Emad and Almess provide pastoral care to foster the spiritual formation and growth of students. Emad is gifted in working with students from various ethnic backgrounds.
Emad has a Master’s Degree and recently completed his PhD from McMaster Divinity College, Hamilton. His research in both his Master’s and PhD has focused on the intersection of the Biblical Text and the Qur’an.
Emad is passionate about teaching missional biblical studies. In the seminary setting, Emad’s desire is to equip students with sufficient tools to study and understand the Old Testament (OT), revive the message of the OT in the life of the students and the church, and make the message of the OT relevant to the Middle Eastern and North African context. Emad is also developing Bible commentaries and other resources for ministry in that context.