ABSTRACT THE CRUSADE OF RAMON LLULL: APOLOGETICS AND EVANGELISM TO MUSLIMS DURING THE THIRTEENTH CENTURY Numa Ulisses Gomez, Ph.D. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2018 Chair: Dr. James A. Parker III Ramon Llull was a thirteenth-century Franciscan monk who lived during a tumultuous period in Spain’s history. Those who have studied missions believe Llull is the first and greatest missionary to Muslims. He is recognized as the greatest Catalan mystic and poet whose writings helped influence Neo-Platonic mysticism throughout Medieval and seventeenth-century Europe. He believed love for Christ and love for the lost should be the only motivating factors to evangelize and teach the lost. Many modern missionaries and historians believe Llull understood salvation by grace in the blood of Jesus Christ. Llull was always in good standing with the church during his lifetime. Chapter 1 gives an overview of Llull’s life, calling, missionary zeal, writings and apologetic work, and the reasons why he taught the truths of Scripture. Chapter 2 offers a historical background and setting for Llull’s work and his calling into ministry. Chapter 3 explains his theology and philosophy of ministry, giving a panoramic view of his ministry. Chapter 4 digs deeper into his apologetic, specifically, his refutation of Averroes philosophy. Chapter 5 looks at his apologetic work in the Jewish community and evangelism of Jews. Chapter 6 looks at his apologetic work within his own faith community and introduces some of his literature aimed at refuting pagan philosophy in his culture. Chapter 7 reviews at his travels and missionary journeys and impact in society. Chapter 8 is some concluding thoughts on his work in discipling others and in society. Llull’s aim in his writings and his ministry was the conversion of Muslim and Jews “that in the whole world there may not be more than one language, one belief, and one faith.” Soon after his conversion, Llull concluded he should evangelize Muslims, who were numerous in southern Spain. He was inspired by the writings and actions of St. Francis of Assisi who lived earlier, and had reached out to Muslims in hopes of converting many to Christianity. Llull’s apologetic work focused on refuting the philosophy of the Muslim philosopher Averroes. Llull’s purpose was to show Muslims the error of this philosophy so that they could not fail to see the truth. The strength of the Muslim religion in the age of scholasticism was its philosophy, and with this in mind, Llull developed a system or logical machine (Art) where theological propositions could be arranged in circles, squares, triangles, and other geometric figures so that opponents could not reject his arguments. Llull exalted the doctrine of the Trinity as central to evangelism, spiritual formation, and apologetic work. Llull believed personal testimony was far superior to any philosophic argument because it testified to the power of the gospel and not to a system. Llull took into account faith and reason as acceptable (in terms of belief) to all three religions. This dissertation explored his spirituality and how it influenced not only his personal life, but also apologetic and evangelistic work.

Lee Sui Ting. / Thesis (M.Div.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 81-85). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract of Thesis entitled --- p.i / Acknowledgments --- p.iii / Introduction --- p.3 / Chapter Chapter1 --- The Root of Muslim-Christian Conflict and Overview of the Contemporary Situation --- p.4 / Chapter 1.1 --- Scriptural Reasoning between the Bible and the Qur'an --- p.4 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- The Bible and Qur'an --- p.4 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- How do Muslims Read the Bible --- p.7 / Chapter 1.2 --- Historical Background of their Complex Relationship --- p.10 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- The Emergence of Islam --- p.10 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- The Muslims Expansion from the 8th Century --- p.11 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- Traumatized Relationship --- p.12 / Chapter 1.3 --- Overview of the Situation in the 21st Century --- p.14 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- Europe --- p.14 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- Asia --- p.16 / Chapter 1.3.3 --- Africa --- p.17 / Chapter Chapter2 --- Survey of Different Christian Mission Approaches to Muslim --- p.20 / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.20 / Chapter 2.2 --- Christian-Muslim Interfaith Dialogue: The World Council of Churches --- p.21 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Starting Point --- p.22 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Theological Background: Ecumenical Considerations on Christian-Muslim Dialogue --- p.24 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Aim of Inter-Faith Dialogue with Muslims --- p.27 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- The WCC's Achievements --- p.28 / Chapter 2.2.5 --- Limitations --- p.30 / Chapter 2.3 --- To Make Disciples of Every Nation: The Lausanne Movement --- p.32 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Starting Point --- p.32 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Theology Behind: Uniqueness and Universality of the Redemptive Christ --- p.33 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Aim --- p.34 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- The Lausanne Movement's Achievements --- p.35 / Chapter 2.3.5 --- Limitations --- p.37 / Chapter 2.4 --- Conclusion --- p.37 / Chapter Chapter3 --- A Case Study: The Love and Peace Society --- p.39 / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.39 / Chapter 3.2 --- Background Information --- p.40 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Muslim Population in Hong Kong --- p.40 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Islamic Centres and Muslim Organizations --- p.41 / Chapter 3.3 --- The Love And Peace Society (LAPS) --- p.42 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- The Starting Point --- p.42 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Mission Statement and Missiological Approach --- p.44 / Chapter 3.3.2.1 --- Friendship Evangelism --- p.45 / Chapter 3.3.2.2 --- Ministry of Seed Sowing --- p.46 / Chapter 3.3.2.3 --- Conviction rather than Conversion --- p.47 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Praxis --- p.48 / Chapter 3.3.4 --- Partnerships --- p.51 / Chapter 3.4 --- Theological Evaluation --- p.54 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- "Mission as ""Who They Are""" --- p.55 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- The Mid-Way --- p.58 / Chapter 3.4.3 --- Acceptance and Receptivity of Muslims --- p.60 / Chapter 3.5 --- Conclusion --- p.63 / Chapter Chapter4 --- Mission in another Sense --- p.65 / Chapter 4.1 --- Corresponding Theology --- p.65 / Chapter 4.1.1 --- Deadlock of Theology of Religions --- p.65 / Chapter 4.1.2 --- Comparative Theology as the Leading Theological Reflection --- p.67 / Chapter 4.2 --- Knowing Muslims --- p.68 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- The Prophethood of Jesus Christ --- p.69 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- The Divine Imperative: Da'wa --- p.70 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Theo -Centric: Human Surrender --- p.71 / Chapter 4.3 --- Rethinking the Problematic Traditional Beliefs --- p.72 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Supremacy of Christianity --- p.72 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Dialogue as Betrayal of Christ and Hindering the Authentic Biblical Mission ？ --- p.74 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- Conversion as Mission Accomplished? --- p.75 / Chapter 4.4 --- Mission in Context: Conversion in Another Sense --- p.76 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- Mission towards Muslims as well as to Ourselves --- p.77 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- Conversion of Our Entire Self: the Openness to be Converted --- p.78 / Conclusion --- p.80 / Bibliography --- p.81

Thesis (D. Min.)--Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, 2006. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 149-157).

Thesis (D. Miss.)--Western Seminary, Portland, OR, 2007. / Abstract and vita. Typescript. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 270-281).

Thesis (D.R.E.)--Faraston Theological Seminary, 1995. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 163-176).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Western Conservative Baptist Seminary, 1989. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 316-323).

Thesis (D. Miss.)--Western Seminary, Portland, OR, 2008. / Abstract and vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 270-281).

Thesis (M. Div.)--International School of Theology, 1991. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 86-89).

Thesis (Th. M.)--Dallas Theological Seminary, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 87-96).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, 2006. / Abstract and vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 167-179).