ISLAMHOW TO EFFECTIVELY MINISTER TO THE MUSLIM

BROTHER AND SISTER

The “founder” of Islam is the prophet Muhammad. He was born

around the year AD 570 in the commercial city of Mecca. He

began his prophetic ministry at the age of 40 (AD 622 and

moved to Medina. He died in AD 632.

Muslims make pilgrimage to Muhammad’s home, Mecca.

Neither Muhammad, nor Muslims would claim that Muhammad

is the “founder” of the religion called Islam.

He believed that he simply brought back the

ancient faith of Abraham and the other prophets.

He believed that he was the prophet to restore

the “true religion” and the praise of Allah all over

the world. Islam considers Muhammad to be the

last and greatest of the prophets. They believe

that the fullness of the revelation of God (Allah)

was revealed to Muhammad in the “Qur’an.”

TIMELINE for Founding of Islam

TIMELINE for Founding of Islam

Rapid Influence of Islam – Let History Be Our Teacher !

Muslim Influence and Occupation Today (shown in green). Notice culture surrounding Israel.

Put It In Context:

ISIS Territory

ISIS = Islamic State in

Iraq and Syria

In order to dialog with someone, you need to have some common language points. In order to understand how the Muslim thinks, we need to define some key terms:

1.ISLAM – Arabic term which means submission. It is also the religion that formed out of the revelations to and the teachings of Muhammad.

2.MUSLIM – Arabic term meaning “one who submits.” It also refers to one who practices the religion of Islam.

3.ALLAH – the Islamic term for God. Allah is called the “One True Deity.”

4.QUR’AN – the sacred texts of Islam (Scriptures). The word means “recitations.”

5.SURAH – divisions within the Qur’an

6. CALIPH – “leader.” One of the main leaders in

Islam.

7. HADITH – Islamic literature containing the

“collected traditions.”

8. INJIL – the gospel of Jesus Christ.

9. HAJJ – pilgrimage to Mecca (the holy city).

10. JIHAD – Holy War/struggle (believing that it was sacred duty to kill anyone who rejected the true faith).

Before we go further…Cults, False Religious Systems, Philosophies, Strange Ideologies, and Heresies:

1. Founded on Lies.

Consider: Genesis 3:1-7 The Fall1Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”

4 “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5 “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

Before we go further…Cults, False Religious Systems, Philosophies, Strange Ideologies, and Heresies:

Founded on Lies (Continued):

Matthew 4: 4-11 Jesus Is Tested in the Wilderness4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on

the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he

said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,

and they will lift you up in their hands,

so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”

7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord

your God to the test.’”

8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and

showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.

9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and

worship me.”

10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written:

‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

Cults:

- Warfare against the Kingdom of God

- Trouble with definition and identity of Christ

- Attempt to draw others away from Christianity

(who is this ???)

- Offered as alternatives to Christianity

- Most cults are philosophies – stimulated by

social conditions

EVOLUTION of Islam as a religion: It is important for us to understand that Islam grew out of a culture and a context. Consider the following historical events leading up to the introduction of Islam:

1.Day of Pentecost and the birth of the Christian church.2.Persecution by the Jewish establishment (esp. Temple Priests.

NOTE also Saul’s rebellion, Paul’s conversion and missionary activity spreading the activity of the church).

3.During the 2nd and 3rd Centuries, Christianity suffered ridicule and accusation of heresy by philosophers of the day (especially Gnostics who claimed to have special knowledge of salvation based on knowledge and not faith).

4. After the Apostles passed on, Church “Fathers” took over the mantle of defending the faith against internal and external enemies doubting the qualification of Jesus to save. 5. Many wrote writings that they wanted to be considered part of the sacred writings of Scripture and there came a need to create a “standard” or canon for the God-inspired writings. 6. Questions on salvation and sin caused great disruption to the church’s growth. Creeds were established to universalize the beliefs of Christians.

7. Controversies over the Holy Spirit began to

surface as well as the rise of the Roman

empire and the papacy.

8. ISLAM arose in this culture of the church’s

struggle.

Example:

Heresy: - belief or opinion contrary to orthodox religious (especially Christian) doctrine.

GnosticismA prominent, heretical movement of the 2nd-century Christian Church, partly of pre-Christian origin. Gnostic doctrine taught that the world was CREATED and RULED by a lesser divinity (the demiurge), and that Christ was an emissary (diplomatic representative) of the remote supreme divine being, esoteric (specialized) KNOWLEDGE(Greek: “gnosis – knowledge of spiritual mysteries) of whom enabled the redemption of the human spirit.

These heresies were meant to “shake the foundation” of the church. Gnosticism wasn’t by itself. There were heresies that followed heresies:

1. Ebionism – salvation by good works…2. Montanism – strict “compensation” against heresy that

became itself a heresy (strict fasting, moral discipline, celibacy…).

3. Novatianism – purist legalism concept of church membership4. Monarchianism – modified definition of trinity (Father is true

deity. Son and Spirit are personalities or impersonal attributes of the Father).

5. Manicheism – Christ came into the world to aid man’s gradual purification. Two classes of people existed: “elect” (worthy of baptism) and “auditors”. Promoted ministers as intermediaries.

ANYTHING BUT GOD !

ANY WAY BUT JESUS !

ANY “CONCOCTION” (a mixture of various

ingredients or elements)

BUT THE WORD !

Facts About Islam That Are Important For Us To Know:

1.Second largest religion in the world.

2. Introduced in a culture of “uncertainty” (heresies and

compensating heresies).

3.Islam accepts the traditions of the other two

“Religions Of The Book,” but with final “revelation.”

4.In Islam there is no distinction between social and

religious life. “Sharia Law” governs them both.

Facts About Islam That Are Important For Us To Know:

5. Genesis 21:17-21 (We are brothers) !

“And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, and said to her, "What troubles you, Hagar? Fear not; for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is. Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him fast with your hand; for I will make him a great nation." Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the skin with water, and gave the lad a drink. And God was with the lad, and he grew up; he lived in the wilderness, and became an expert with the bow. He lived in the wilderness of Paran; [northern Arabia] and his mother took a wife for him from the land of Egypt.”

Genesis 25:6,12-18, RSV. “But to the sons of

his concubines Abraham gave gifts, and while

he was still living he sent them away from his

son Isaac, eastward to the east country."

Different Divisions In Islam

There are two different main groups (sects) in Islam:

1.SUNNITE – “Sunnis” practice a moderate Islamic interpretation. Account for 90 % of Muslims in Middle East.

2.SHIA’ITE – “Shia’ites” practice a much more literal interpretation and application of the Qur’an. They are generally much more fanatical than the Sunnis.

3.AHMDIYANS – very visible on American college campuses – proselytize American students.

4.SUFI – mystical group within Islam not recognized by many Muslims.

The Practice of Islam: What They Believe

Muslim Christian

God = Allah (one true God) God = Father + Son + Spirit

Jesus = prophet Jesus = Messiah

Holy Spirit – creation of Allah like angels Holy Spirit – God in Third Person

Sin & Salvation – handled through work and fate.

Sin & Salvation – sin expiated (atoned) by the sacrifice/blood of Jesus

Afterlife – Paradise obtained at discretion of Allah.

Afterlife – John 3:16

Sex & Marriage – OT foundations with cultural influences from Qur’an

Sex & Marriage – OT foundation Genesis 2:24

Race Relations – Brothers = All who believe ! Race Relations – Revelation 7:9

ISLAM: WHAT THEY BELIEVE

ISLAM: WHAT THEY BELIEVE

“La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammadur rasoolu Allah.” There is no true God but Allah, and Muhammad is his prophet

ISLAM: WHAT THEY BELIEVE

Muslims pray 5 prayers per day

PILGRIMAGE

PRACTICE

PASSION

The Qur’an (Koran)

- Islamic sacred book (Scriptures) –

Believed to be the word of God (Allah)

- Revealed/Dictated to Muhammad by

the archangel Gabriel

- Written in Arabic – considered the

“voice of God,” (not revelation of himself)

- Contains 114 units called “Surahs”

- Speak about all matters of human life

Ministering to The Muslim: The Central Problems

1. View of God – Allah is “One True God.”

2.How they see Jesus – Jesus (Isa) is one of the many

prophets of Allah. Jesus was sinless but did not die on

the cross – he was taken bodily into heaven without

having died (Surah 4:157).

3.Bible unreliable – corrupted by man.

“Is The Bible Unreliable ?”

Acknowledging their descent from Abraham, Muslims believe in the Law of Moses, The Psalms of David and the “Injil” – the gospel of Jesus Christ. BUT…they believe that the Christian Scriptures were superseded by the revelation given to Muhammad. Therefore they believe that the Bible used by Jews and Christians is distorted.

If there is a contradiction in what the Qur’an says, they believe the Bible is in error.

“Is The Bible Unreliable ?” (Continued):

2 Peter 1:21 (KJV)

For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but

holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

(NIV)

For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but

prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried

along by the Holy Spirit.

“Is The Bible Unreliable ?” (Continued):

Tests of Canonicity (Does it belong to the set of sacred, inspired writings ? Does is meet the standard) ?

1.Testimony of the Early Church Fathers.

2. “Apostolicity” – written by Apostle or approved other ?

3. Thematic Consistency – is the moral instruction consistent with standards set by apostles ?

“Is The Bible Unreliable ?” (Continued):

Ephesians 2:19-2019 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.

“Is The Bible Unreliable ?” (Continued):

Romans 3:1-21 What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? 2 Much in every way! First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God.

Ministering to The Muslim: Things To Keep In Mind When Ministering To The Muslim:

1.Heaven (Paradise) is obtained only by a combination of their acceptable “works” and fate.

2. Their picture of God does not include grace and love. God (Allah is judgmental).

3. They are extremely diligent in their service and reverent to God to obtain possible salvation. “Lukewarm” believers in Jesus are a turn-off and especially ridiculed.

Ministering to The Muslim: Things To Keep In Mind When Ministering To The Muslim (Continued):

4. Perhaps ask: “Where did we get the capacity to love ?”

5. Have the Muslim explain their interpretation of the

“common-link” between Islam and Christianity.

6. Never insult the trustworthiness of the Prophet

Muhammad nor the Qur’an.

7. Minister the concept of “love”, “grace” and “mercy.”

“Ministering” To The Muslim: Consider using knowledge of the following when ministering (Continued):

The Qur'an also speaks of the Injil (the Gospel) as one of the other great books (Sura 5:46; 48:29). In the Gospels, Jesus taught, "Whoever believes in the Son Jesus (Isa) has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them" (John 3:36 NIV). Whereas in the Qur'an Jesus (Isa) is presented as a prophet, the Injils or Gospels present Jesus as the Son of God who can provide assurance of eternal life.

“Ministering” To The Muslim: Consider using knowledge of the following when ministering (Continued):

This is not a new problem!

Keep in mind that the Bible teaches that the Jews were ZEALOUS for God but their zeal was not based on knowledge. They were diligently trying to keep the law -so much so that it was blinding them from seeing God’s way of salvation. Cults are characterized by such zeal –diligent, but diligently wrong – religiously wrong ! ( see Romans 10:2).

QUESTION:

Can you see that the church has (since its

birth) suffered persecution – both internal

and external at the hands of a disbelieving

culture ? What evidence is there today that

the culture is still striving against the church,

and why ?