Digital Social Hour | Episode #1776
Guest: Shahriq Khan
Title: The Christian Debate Strategy That Actually Reaches Muslims
Date: January 22, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, host Sean Kelly sits down with Shahriq Khan, a former devout Muslim who underwent a radical conversion to Christianity and now leads a global Christian evangelism ministry focused specifically on reaching Muslims. Khan shares his personal journey, critiques common Western approaches to Muslim evangelism, and lays out his unique strategy for authentic, effective dialogue and outreach. The conversation covers theology, apologetics, interfaith dynamics, and the importance of empathy and truth-seeking.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Shahriq Khan’s Background and Conversion Experience

• Early Identity (00:51): Khan grew up as a devout Muslim, with a family identity centered on being a positive light for Islam in the West, particularly after 9/11.
  • “You guys are going to be the Western light of Islam. You guys are going to be the ones who defend the faith of the whole country, show people that it's not terrorism and all these things.” (01:00, Khan)
• College and Faith Challenge (01:13): Exposure to new ideas in college led him to question his beliefs deeply, and his attempts to defend Islam intellectually set the stage for change.
• Radical Encounter (01:31): Khan describes a vivid dream at a suicidal low point where Christ appeared to him, which signaled a turning point.
  • “I heard the words, you have been healed. Now get up and go. The only reason I recognized that it was Christ was because I had been discipled in the Bible and I knew the words.” (02:17, Khan)
• Consequences and Conviction (02:40): Facing overwhelming doubt and pushback from his family, community, and peers did not deter him from embracing Christianity, leading him to dedicate himself to apologetics and outreach.

2. What’s Wrong with Typical Christian-Muslim Debates?

• Western Mistakes (03:15): Khan critiques the common Western and online style of debate, which often centers on attacking Islam or Muhammad, arguing that it is both disrespectful and ineffective:
  • “I have not seen a single devout Muslim get saved because of that stuff. You have to sincerely understand Islam... and do it with, like, a loving heart... That's the only way through.” (03:29, Khan)
• Building Trust (04:00): Emphasizes respectful, scriptural, and relational engagement rather than combative or politically charged arguments.

3. Khan’s Methodology—The “Real Five Pillars” for Deconstructing Islam

• Pillars Described (06:10): Khan identifies five key Islamic beliefs that, if questioned or refuted biblically, destabilize the Islamic worldview:
  1. The Torah is corrupted.
  2. The author of the Bible and the Quran is the same God.
  3. Abraham and Ishmael built the Kaaba.
  4. Muhammad is related to Abraham and claims Abrahamic prophethood.
  5. Muhammad was commissioned as a prophet like Moses.
• Old Testament Focus (04:44, 06:00): Argues that Christian apologists should focus on the Old Testament/Torah—not New Testament arguments—because “Islam is actually a heretical offshoot of rabbinical Judaism, not Christianity.”
  • “A lot of people think that Islam is a heretical offshoot of Christianity. It's actually a heretical offshoot of rabbinical Judaism. And nobody's talking about this.” (05:01, Khan)
• Effectiveness (08:21): Khan’s ministry has rapidly grown, garnering worldwide traction because of this non-combative and historically grounded approach.

4. Respect, Scholarship, and Dialogue

• Refusing Disrespectful Tactics (09:38): Khan is adamant about not insulting Muhammad or calling the Quran corrupted, seeking a mutually respectful dialogue.
  • “I would never call Muhammad a pedophile. I would never call him a warlord... I don't even call the Quran corrupted. I think the Quran that Muhammad recited, it is what we read today.” (10:18, Khan)
• Challenging the 'Bible is Corrupted' Claim (10:56): He challenges Muslims who say the Bible is corrupted to provide specifics and challenges the plausibility of such a global conspiracy.
  • “We need a where, a when, a who did it. What's the motive?” (11:00, Khan)

5. Practical Evangelism and Apologetics

• Invitation into Mosques and Muslim Communities (12:13): Khan’s approach of mutual respect and knowledge leads to open doors for dialogue, even in mosques and family gatherings.
  • “I get invited into mosques. I don't have this, like, I hate you mentality…We have them reading a Torah and a Quran side by side.” (12:14, Khan)
• Scriptural Deconstruction and Reconstruction (12:31): Uses scriptures only for both deconstruction of Islam and leading into Christian belief.

6. Political Neutrality – “Pro Kingdom of Christ” (13:08)

• Conflict and Condemnation (13:08): Khan refuses to let politics (e.g., Israel-Palestine conflict) dictate his faith perspective, instead advocating for evaluating actions solely by their alignment with Christ’s kingdom.
  • “If it's not pro kingdom of Christ, we have to condemn it…The stance we should be having is pro kingdom of Christ. And that's my radical worldview these days.” (13:23, Khan)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “As a former Muslim, that's the most blasphemous thing I've ever heard in my life. Allah doesn't love the whole world. He loves the obedient Muslim. Right. He would never have a son.” (00:09, Khan)
• “Muslims make great Christians. I don't want them becoming atheists. I don't want them becoming…That's worse, right?” (09:49, Khan & Kelly)
• “You travel land and sea to convert somebody and you're not discipling them…Muslim, the atheist is just as bad as anything else.” (09:58, Khan invoking Matthew 23:15)
• “If you deconstruct using just the scriptures, then you can reconstruct using just the Scriptures and you can lead them to Christ.” (12:31, Khan)
• “My goal isn't to slaughter Islam. I love Muslim people. I grew up with them… The best thing, man, my goal isn't to slaughter Islam. I love Muslim people.” (09:38, Khan)

Important Timestamps

• Conversion Story: 00:51–03:56
• Effective vs. Ineffective Apologetics: 03:15–04:44
• Five Pillars Deconstruction Strategy: 06:10–08:21
• Respect for Islam & Why Tactics Matter: 09:38–11:59
• Practical Evangelism Examples: 12:13–12:56
• Political Perspective (“Pro Kingdom of Christ”): 13:08–13:43
• Call to Action/Contact Info: 13:49–14:22

Where to Find Shahriq Khan

• Christunderground.org – Free course on Muslim evangelism, open to Muslims and Christians alike.
• Instagram: @realsharkkhan

In summary: Shahriq Khan offers a radically relational, scripture-centered, and respectfully bold new approach to Christian-Muslim dialogue. Drawing on both his Muslim roots and Christian apologetics, he rejects combative debate and political tribalism, focusing instead on empathetic understanding and truth-seeking as the most powerful means of sharing his faith.