Union with God in Christ

“Matt Friedman has done a superb job of unlocking the inner meanings of Islamic mysticism. He has thoroughly researched early Muslim writers who sought to syncretize Islamic orthodox theology with the more experiential quest of the Sufis from whom love and union with God were the ultimate spiritual attainment. Friedman is not content to simply describe the heart hunger of God-seekers within the Muslim community. As a nearly two-decades-long resident among Muslims, Friedman probes into how the Christian message can, without compromise, be contextualized in such a way as to be compellingly attractive to his Sufi-oriented audience. Without reservation, I recommend this groundbreaking book to all who desire to explore new approaches to Muslim evangelism.”


—Phil Parshall, retired Academic and Field Director, SIM International


 


“Matt Friedman weaves an intriguing tale. He takes the reader along a complex journey through Jewish mysticism, the early church, Islamic Sufism, and Wesleyan theology to help unpack the nature of union with God in Christ. Few scholars could pull off this feat. The fact that Matt does so with sophistication and aplomb reveals a remarkable depth to this book. . . . Union with God in Christ is precisely the kind of integrative, scholarly, yet sensitive contextual theology needed for communicating Christ across religious boundaries. I highly recommend it!”


—Gregg A. Okesson, Dean, E. Stanley Jones School of World Mission and Evangelism, Asbury Theological Seminary


 


“Friedman is no armchair theorist. He understands where Muslims fearfully struggle. He is a cutting-edge missiologist who has been there on the ground and done what he writes about. Union with God in Christ will enable the reader hungry to assist Muslims to follow Jesus and call on God as Father to do so!”


—Greg Livingstone, Founder, Frontiers