"Speaking the Truth in Love: Understanding and Engaging Islam and Our Muslim Neighbors" is the theme of a four-session study taking place this fall at English Lutheran Church.

"There are so many wide-ranging stereotypes and misconceptions about Islam and Muslims in our culture right now," says Rev. Kevin Mohr, pastor of English Lutheran Church.

"For example, understandable fears about the threat of terrorism by radicals who claim allegiance to Islam contend with statements arguing that Islam, properly understood, is a religion of peace and, therefore, our Muslim neighbors are not a danger to us," he said.

The study will focus on: What is the truth, and how should we respond in love as Christians to individual Muslims whom we meet on a daily basis, and to the rising influence of Islam?

Mohr will lead the study to try to get past stereotypes and misconceptions about Muslims and Islam. It will examine basics of Islam, its history adn how those believes and history shape Muslims in their daily lives.

"We will also focus on the fault lines between Islam and Christianity, in order to better understand how we might share the good news of Jesus Christ with our Muslim neighbors," he said.

The structure and resource for the study is from insights in Nabeel Qureshi’s “Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim Encounters Jesus.”

The study will incorporate video segments from a study guide for Qureshi’s book, some lecture, group discussion and hopefully an interactive discussion with a Muslim individual.

The study, open to the public, will meet at 7 p.m. on the Sundays of Oct. 23, Oct. 30, Nov. 6 and Nov. 13 at English Lutheran Church, 111 Grove St., Bluffton.

For more information contact  Mohr at 419-604-9339 or by e-mail at [email protected].