Interview: Kevin Greeson of the Camel Method

A new thing we’re doing at BiblicalMissiology.Org are reviews of books & trainings, and interviews with missiologists, trainers and individuals dealing with the biblical use of missiology, or people we have concerns with as to whether or not their missiology is biblical.

Here is our first of hopefully many interviews.

Kevin Greeson is a church planter, coach and trainer who has lived and ministered in South Asia. Kevin is the author of “The Camel: How Muslims are coming to faith in Christ!”  We were happy to be part of and learn more about him, his ministry, and the Camel Method at a recent training session he gave in Austin, Texas on April 20th, 2010.

In all disclosure, some writers for BiblicalMissiology.Org have had some concerns with the biblical groundedness of the Camel Method. In some of our articles our writers have mentioned the Camel Method with the likes of the Insider Movement. Our goal is to bring clarity on this situation and allow Kevin Greeson a platform to verbally answer our concerns. We are so happy that Kevin was open to discuss these issues, answer some questions, and to help us understand his perspective.

We know each of our desires are for the glory of God, so our goal is to sharpen one another, create dialogue, ask the questions that are being asked, and hash these theological and missiological issues out for the Glory of the One.

Below are the questions we asked, and a link to the Mp3 of the questions/answers. We encourage you to think about what he said, and comment on this posting.

Questions:

Islamic-Christian view of Allah Question:

1 ) A concern of the Biblical Missiology missiologists is the perceived attempt in the CAMEL Method  to view the Islamic god as the same god of the Bible, thus creating confusion on the character and theological attributes of god for individuals from a Muslim background. How does the CAMEL Method view the god of the Koran, and the Jewish-Christian god? Are they the same? Different? How so? How are these differences be discussed with the Camel Method? (NOTE: This is not a question about the use of ‘Allah’ in the Bible for translation purposes. This is a theological/missiological question about the characteristics and theology of god.)

MP3:Question 1 & Answer

Identity Messianic/”Pakka”True Muslim Question:

2 ) A concern of the Biblical Missiology missiologists is the concept in the CAMEL Method about “Pakka” Muslims, or True Muslims. Do you believe it is possible that a believer (Believes in Jesus the Messiah, Son of God, Lord & Savior)  able to remain within the Islamic Umma, be part of and practice in an Islamic Religious community, pray towards Mecca in the presence of the Muslim confession of faith Shahada, etc.. to remain true to the Holy Spirit, grow in knowledge and power of Christ, and be part of the biblical universal Church, that is the body of Christ and the fellowship of the saints?  Or do you believe that a real believer in Christ will ultimately be called out and transformed by Christ and the Holy Spirit to reject Islamic religious rituals and traditions, even if they are embedded in their culture?

Mp3 Part 1:Question 2 and Answer Part 1

Mp3 Part 2:Question 2 and Answer Part 2

Quran Questions:

3 ) A concern of the BiblicalMissiology missiologists is the trend of giving weight and authority, even divine origin to the Quran. Do you or the CAMEL Method believe or teach that the Quran, and/or Muhammad is in some way inspired by God?

Mp3: Question 3 & Answer

4 ) Do you have concerns that the Quran can be taken out of context hermeneutically and meaning be placed into it that wasn’t meant?

Mp3: Question 4 & Answer

5 ) How does reliance on using the Quran to testify of Jesus prepare Muslims for a life of discipleship under the Bible?

Mp3: Question 5 & Answer

6 ) What do local, national, visible Christians think of using the Quran in this way? In other words, what impact have you seen the Camel Method have on unity and catholicity in the believing community?

Mp3: Question 6 & Answer

Salvation / Community Questions:

7 ) What constitutes saving belief, what constitutes conversion? In other words, what does a person from a Muslim background need to believe in order to be saved? What do they need not believe to be saved (i.e. True prophethood of Muhammad? Authority/Divine nature of Quran, etc.. can they always believe in these things throughout their walk forever? Or will evidence of the spirit ultimately lead to rejection of these?) How does this reflect on other ‘christian’ cults that proclaim Jesus, but follow a different gospel, like Mormonism, Jehovah Witnesses, etc..?

Mp3: Question 7 & Answer

8 ) When individuals from a Muslim background believe through the CAMEL Method, are they still believers 5 years later? 10 years? What is the retention and second generation believer growth through their children? Is this being documented, if so, how is it being documented?

Mp3: Question 8 & Answer

9) Do believers who come to faith through the CAMEL Method create & form together Christian communities (the Church) or Muslim communities (the Umma)? 5 yrs.? 10 yrs.?

Mp3: Question 9 & Answer

10) How do you define church?

Mp3: Question 10 & Answer

11 ) There has been some question on the accuracy of results number-wise of the CAMEL Method. Can you talk about how many documentable and measurable results have come through this method, how is this documented, and what is the spiritual condition of these individuals 5yrs later? What is attrition rate, have they formed Church communities, growing spiritually deeper and more knowledgeable in the Bible?

Mp3: Question 11 & Answer

Thank you for your time. Is there anything else you would like to say, comment on?

Mp3: Final Comments

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