How should Muslims view debates with Christians?

Bismillah ir rahman ir raheem,

As salamu 'alikum wr wb, (May the Peace, Mercy of Allah and Blessings be upon you).

How should Muslims view debates with Christians?

I think many times when we as Muslims watch our apologist interact with Christians we should take careful note of the Christian objections of Islam. Rather than take offense take it as a learning experience.

Basically what the Christian is saying is, 'If you can answer these objections you are removing more obstacles to me becoming a Muslim'.

So when you hear them ask you how you are saved they are saying, 'I'm interested in Islam but you need to give me a mapped out method of salvation'.

When you hear them give objections to why Muhammed (saw) could not be a prophet they are in reality saying, ' If you can answer these objections I really would have to take very seriously the issue of Muhammed's Prophet-hood.'

Now of course Allah does inform us about people who have veils on their hearts and their eyes and no doubt many of our interlocutors indeed are people who are filled with malice, ill intent and are down right dodgy people when it comes to giving presentations about out faith.

I think that only harms their side. Many people, Christian, Jewish, Agnostic and others watch these exchanges and they are not only look at oratory ability, but sincerity. They are looking at people who may not have all the answers but readily admit it as such.

They are not too happy with presentations that are malicious and they know when someone has been caught up in a lie and they try and cover it up with another lie.

So I would take these interactions and exchanges as learning experiences.

In fact since most of those who are interacting with Christians these days tend to be from deviant groups (like the Mujassima who believe that Allah is contained in spacial location) this will only help Orthodox Sunni Islam in the long run.

Orthodox Sunni Muslims do not believe that Allah is contained in location (be it one place or any place). However, those most vocal in interacting with Christians believe that Allah is above his throne bi dhati ( in his essence) or that Allah moves from point a to point b.

Basically Allah is in his creation. This group will find it increasingly difficult to refute the Christian idea that Allah incarnated into a human being.

After Allah if Allah is located with in space time Allah can also be located with in a human being.

I would surmise that many of these Muslims would most likely loose faith and become agnostic.

I would also surmise that many would realize that the Mjassima (likening Allah to his creation) or saying that Allah is contained by the six directions is not a tenable position. I believe that they would embrace the traditional Orthodox creed of Abu Hasan Al Ashari, Abu Mansur Al Maturdi and Imam Tahawi.

In the end truth will win out over that which is false.

So to those of my readers may Allah continue to bless and enlighten all of you. May Allah guide all of you to a way that is straight. Amin!