“The chance to work in the Muslim community near Gordon-Conwell compelled

me to study here—where I could learn in the classroom and apply it

in the coffee shop, mosque, or family home all in the same week.”

- MDIV alum, ‘11

for more information on our missions degrees

and programs contact the admissions office at:

Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

130 Essex StreetSouth Hamilton, MA 01982

www.gordonconwell.edu/admissionsadmissions@gcts.eduPhone 978-646-4037

Fax 978-646-4178

ISLAMIC STUDIES TRACK

At Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

Required Courses

In addition to the core M.A. requirements,eight courses in this concentration are chosen from the following:

All of the following:AP/WM 647 Introduction to IslamWM 628 Christian Approaches to Islam

One of the following:WM 601 The World Mission of the Church TH/WM 602 Theology of Mission

One of the following:WM 648 Cross-Cultural Church Planting AP/WM 747 Critical Issues in the Christian Mission to Muslims

One of the following:WM 603 History of MissionsCH/WM 610 Advance of the Church in the Non-Western World

One of the following:WM 722 Applied Anthropology for MissionsAP 602 Cultural Apologetics

One of the following:WM 725 The Theology of Islam and its Implications for Ministry to MuslimsWM 726 Ministry to Folk MuslimsWM or EV Elective

Master of Artswith a

Concentration in Islamic Studies

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MAME Islamic Studies Track

In order to work with Muslims, Christians must first understand their point of view. The Islamic Stud-ies track provides an in-depth understanding of the worldview, theology and culture of Muslims. We are then better prepared to communicate our point of view into their frame of reference.

Purpose of the Track

To train Christians in developing a biblical under-standing and response to Islam and provide a solid foundation for effective witness and ministry with Muslims.

Objectives of the Track

Upon completion of the program each student will:

• Understand the major cross-cultural, theological, and spiritual challenges Westerners face when relating to Muslims.

• Understand the worldview and ethos of Islam

• Know how to respond to the assumptions behind Muslim objections to Biblical Christianity

• Be able to compare and contrast the Islamic faith with Biblical Christianity

• Understand the best approaches to ministry with Muslims

• Have a comprehensive understanding of the ministry and spiritual dynamics in Islamic contexts

• Know how to respond lovingly to Muslims by speaking into their framework of understanding

• Be able to evaluate both historical as well as all contemporary approaches to ministry with Muslims from a Biblical and missiological viewpoint

• Have a vision for reaching Muslims with the gospel in a Biblical and effective way

At Gordon-Conwell we value the integration of ministry skills with a solid foundation in Biblical theology.

Dr. Paul Martindale

Dr. Paul Martindale is Ranked Adjunct Assistant Profes-sor of Islamic Studies and Cross-Cultural Ministry at Gordon-Conwell. He is also an Islamicist and the Director of the Summer

Institute on Islam with Pioneers.

Dr. Martindale has 30 years of ministry experi-ence working with Muslims and was a successful church planter in the Arab World. He has been teaching at GCTS since 2007 and designed the Islamic Studies track based on his experience as a missionary and field leader. He has a D.Min. de-gree in Missions and Cross-Cultural Studies from Gordon-Conwell.

Dr. Martindale is active in training churches to develop effective ministries to Muslims in their communities. He has published articles on min-istry to immigrant Muslims, Muslim evangelism and dialogue with Muslims. He book Reaching Muslims in America with the Gospel was published in 2013.

“During my time at Gordon-Conwell, numerous opportunities became available for me to put what I was learning into ac-tion through discovering and ministering to women within the Muslim community in Boston. I found that my courses on the theology of Islam and ministry to Mus-lims were truly invaluable in preparing me for this mission field in my own backyard.”

- MAR. alum ‘09

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