Date of Award
2023
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Intercultural Studies
College
Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary
Program
Doctor of Missiology DMiss
First Advisor
Bruce L. Bauer
Second Advisor
Petr Činčala
Third Advisor
Glenn Russell
Abstract
Problem
Establishing meaningful connections with Muslim communities in the Middle East has presented considerable challenges. One major obstacle is using content, materials, and approaches perceived as foreign to the region’s culture and social norms. To overcome this, it is crucial to convey the doctrines of the Adventist message within the context of the Arab Islamic culture’s worldview and understanding. Divine guidance, particularly through God-given dreams, has historically played a crucial role in influencing Muslims to accept biblical teachings and the sovereignty of Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, the Seventh-day Adventist Church has not effectively utilized this approach to connect with the Muslim community. To foster deeper resonance, a culturally sensitive approach is necessary. By incorporating elements that align with Arab Islamic culture and values, a bridge of understanding can be established. This approach will facilitate a more receptive environment for mutual dialogue and the dissemination of theological principles, leading to more fruitful connections and a greater appreciation of the Adventist message.
Method
This dissertation begins by establishing a strong foundation encompassing theoretical, theological, and comparative study underpinnings to effectively engage with the subject matter. Employing a phenomenological hermeneutical approach, the dissertation undertakes an in-depth examination of the phenomenon of dreams, focusing on Sunni Arab Muslims. The process of data collection adheres to the principles of qualitative content analysis, a methodological tool designed to ascertain the presence of specific words, themes, or conceptual frameworks intrinsic to the narratives of dreams. The study thoughtfully analyzes a corpus of 350 dreams, employing a purposeful random sampling technique to select pertinent instances thoughtfully, providing an obvious saturation point.
Results
The discovery has significantly enriched my comprehension of the phenomenon of dreams among Muslims, shedding light on the manifestation of five fundamental biblical themes pertaining to God, namely, God is the Creator, The Messiah will Come, God will Establish His Kingdom, Salvation/Redemption Comes from the Lord, and God is the Ultimate Judge of His People within the texts of the Qur’an, hadith, and broader Islamic literature. This research has also explored the way these themes are conveyed through the dreams experienced by Sunni Muslims. Furthermore, a biblical and missiological approach has been developed to facilitate Muslims’ understanding of their dreams featuring the Man in White and foster their discipleship for Seventh-day Adventist mission. Through this approach, it is envisioned that a deeper engagement with these dreams and their interpretation will be nurtured, fostering more meaningful dialogue and connection between individuals of the Islamic faith and the Seventh-day Adventist community.
Conclusion
Given the number of God-given dreams sent to Muslims, a systematic approach should be employed to assist Muslims and Adventists in comprehending dreams and their importance in leading people to Christ. This study suggests several avenues for future research, such as biblical dream analysis, the role of dreams in Adventist theology, dreams and spiritual formation, dreams and missionary work, comparative religious perspectives on dreams, dreams and prophetic literature, dreams and eschatology, dreams and spiritual discernment, dreams in the life of Jesus, contemporary testimonies involving dreams, dreams and spiritual warfare, dreams in the Book of Acts and the Book of Revelation, dreams and healing, dreams and angelic encounters, dreams and spiritual gifts, dreams and personal transformation, dreams and the Sabbath, dreams and personal calling, dreams and discipleship, and dreams in the context of digital mission and online evangelism. These avenues offer promising opportunities to deepen the understanding of the human experience of the divine and enhance interfaith dialogue.
Subject Area
Missions to Muslims--Middle East; Sunnites; Dreams--Religious aspects--Seventh-day Adventists; Dreams--Religious aspects--Islam; Seventh-day Adventists--Relations--Islam; Islam--Relations--Seventh-day Adventists
Recommended Citation
Hajaj, Jony F., "Exploring Dreams Among Sunni Muslims in View of Five Biblical Key Themes: Implications for Adventist Mission" (2023). Dissertations DIS. 10.
https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dmiss/10