The title of this, my first posting on this blog, may seem a bit cryptic, but the subject has stuck with me ever since I saw it referenced in a book by Brother Andrew. A few months ago during a brief visit to a local Christian bookstore, I ran across a copy of Secret Believers: What Happens When Muslims Believe In Christ, written by Brother Andrew, the famous missionary/evangelist ("God's Smuggler", etc.) and Al Janssen (Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Secret-Believers-Happens-Muslims-Believe/dp/0800718747). I didn't purchase the book, but as I recall, it recounts the case of an embittered Egyptian intellectual by the name of "Sayyid Qutb" who, in 1949, spent 6 months in America studying at the Colorado State Teachers College, now known as the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colorado. Qutb returned to Egypt, became a member of a fundamentalist Islamic sect (Muslim Brotherhood) and wrote books and other material that would inspire the terrible ideals of people such as Osama Bin Laden, among others. He was executed in 1966 for plotting to overthrow the Egyptian government.
Robert Siegel, an NPR contributor, states that "Qutb's writings would later become the theoretical basis for many radical Islamic groups of today -- including al Qaeda." I've heard former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, among others including, I believe, Newt Gingrich, mention the name of Sayyid Qutb as one of the foremost intellectual grandfathers of Al Qaeda and radical Islam as manifested in the world today.
To make a long story short, Brother Andrew (as I recall) in his book, described how Qutb attended an evangelical church and was dismayed by the worldliness, sensuality (at a dance-in 1949!)and the rampant materialism he saw in it. Also, apparently no real effort was made by any (or many) of the people he met to evangelize him with love and concern for his well-being. (As I recall 'Secret Believers' saying- I need to go back and purchase the book) One wonders what would have happened if Qutb had become a Christian and seen the reality of Christ's love and the true Gospel, and how differently history may have turned out.
Anyway, it is an interesting matter and makes clear (to me at any rate) that I simply do not know whom I may come in contact with and what sort of 'career' that person may have based upon (in God's sovereignty of course) my contact and witness on him.
Posts
Living In Truth - Free Video Downloads Available!
-
Free Video Downloads Now Available for Living In Truth!
10 years ago
2 comments:
You make some good points in your post. It certainly causes me to stop and ponder how I relate to people I see every day and visitors to the church I attend. Often church seems like a social event. One makes contact with friends, makes plans for fellowships/parties, and shares about one’s week. I wonder if God is happy with me when I take worship so irreverently. I expect not.
I found some interesting links about Qutb. The first link is an NPR story about Qutb in America. The second link is an audio NPR interview with Karen Armstrong about Qutb. The next link is a PBS story about the men and ideas behind Al Qaeda.
Thanks for your comments; those are good links on Qutb, but I'm surprised that there's not more out there. I've heard that many Muslims have a skewed and inaccurate view of Christians and true Christianity, and Qutb doubtless had preconceived biases against America (which in his mind, was probably unfortunately synonomous with 'Christian') even before he came over here in 1949.
Post a Comment