Transcript Leading in Worship - Truth About Salvation

Christianity and the Challenge of Islam
By: Gladwyn Kiddoe
Director
Jamaica School of Preaching and Biblical Studies
January 25, 2015
Christian Apologetics
• The defense of the faith
• The defense of Christianity
• Jude 3: “… contend earnestly for the faith
that was once and for all delivered to the
faith.”
• One scholar Thayer said that this “once
and for all” term meant “.. of perpetual
validity and never needs repeating.”
We hold no hatred toward none
•But Love and good will
towards all
•Including those of the
Muslim religion
Jesus Christ said
• “For God so loved the world that He gave his
only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in
Him should not perish but have everlasting life”
(John 3:16).
• A wonderful statement that promises to
all(whosoever): Buddhists, Rastafarians, Hindu,
Moslems. Easterners, Westerners, Christians,
Communists and non-communist this:
• Eternal life to those who truly believe in Jesus
Christ.”
Who is this Jesus Christ? He is the
one all men must believe in.
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From the book of Colossians , Jesus is:
The (dear)Son of God is. Col. 1: 2,13.
He is the image of the invisible God. 1:15.
He is the first born or preeminent of every
creation. 1:15.
• He is before all things (that is He is God). 1:17.
• All things are held together through him. 1:17.
• He is preeminent in all things. 1:18.
Jesus Christ
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•
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Came to earth from Heaven
Preached the Gospel to the world
He taught his disciples the truth.
Before He was crucified and returned to heaven. He
told his 12 disciples (later to become his Apostles):
• “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit , whom the
Father will send in my name: He will teach
you all things and bring to your
remembrance, all things that I said to you.”
(John 14:26).
20 plus years later one these same
disciples, Peter said:
“His divine power has given us
all things that relate to life and
Godliness through the
knowledge of Him that called
us to glory and virtue.”
II Peter 1:3.
Remember the words of Jude
• Jude 3: “… contend earnestly for the
faith that was once and for all
delivered to the faith.”
• The Faith, the Gospel, the complete
message of the Gospel, was
completely and thoroughly presented
with nothing else needed by the end of
the first century!
Hence our text for today
• The Apostle Paul could boldly say (no changes
allowed). “Galatians 1:8,9. “But even if we , or
an angel from heaven, preach any other
gospel to you than what you have received,
let him be accursed. As we have said before,
so now say we again, if anyone preaches any
other gospel to you than what you have
received, let him be accursed.”
• An absolutely clear statement!
The Big Question
• If all truth for Godliness and Life had
been delivered to man through the
Bible by the end the first century
how come some claim additional
revelations since then?
• How Come?!
Are You Following?
•Do you
understand
what God is
saying?
Now
•Christianity:
The Challenge
of Islam
Since A.D. 100 many have claimed
additional revelations from God
• In particular in A.D. 622
• A new religion started in Arabia
• Based on a claim of additional
revelation by a man called
Mohammed
• This religion: Islam
As Islam was beginning
•Christianity had begun
to enter a period known
widely as the dark ages.
•A.D. 600 – 1100
(approximately)
As The Religion of Islam began
• The first Universal Pope
Bonaface III was being
appointed in Rome in A.D. 606.
• An office not taught by Jesus
or His Apostles.
Ephesians 4:11
Hence at about A.D. 600
• Two historic events were taking place:
• A new religion was starting in Arabia.
• A worldwide Pope, foreign to the
scriptures was being appointed in
Rome.
• (There is no office of the Pope in the
Bible)
The facts
• Islam started about 589 years after the
Church of Christ was established in A.D.
33
• The Koran (the Bible of Moslems) began
to be written about 540 years after Jude
wrote we should “….contend earnestly
for the faith that was once and for all
delivered unto the saints.” (Jude 3)
Mohammed the founder of Islam
• Said he had visions from God.
• He began presenting his
visions/ teachings about 580
years after Galatians 1: 8,9
written.
The Challenge
• Of all the religions in the world, Islam is
the most aggressive and poses the
greatest challenge to Christianity.
• It is believed to be the fastest growing
religion worldwide.
• Islam has least 1.6 billion adherents
• Millions of followers of Islam in the USA,
Europe and Asia and Africa.
The word Islam means:
“Surrender.”
This points to the call for followers to
surrender to Allah and to accept
Mohammed as his prophet.
The word Mohammed means
“praised.”
Followers of Islam…
• Called “Moslems” or “Muslims.”: the terms
means “those who submit.”
• Consider the Koran as their “Bible.” The word
“Koran” means “recitation.”
• The Koran is smaller in size than the New
Testament.
• The book is divided into sections or verses
called “sura”.
Mohammed founder of Islam lived in Mecca,Arabia
(the Arabian Peninsular)
Mohammed
•Born in Mecca
•About A.D. 570
.
Idolatry in Arabia
• At that time in Arabia the
people worshipped idols. They
believed in many gods and
goddesses but they also
believed in a Supreme Being
called “Allah” (The God)
More on Mohammed
• Mohammed was disgust at the idolatry he saw in
Mecca.
• He believed in only one God.
• This may have reflected the influence of Jews and
Christians with whom he made contact. Cf. Act
2:11.
• Mohammed spent the month of Ramadan in
meditating (and fasting) in a cave in Mecca.
• While meditating, he began (he claimed) to have
visions.
Mohammed’s Visions
• His first “vision” was at age 40 in which (he
claimed) Gabriel appeared to him and gave
him some writings and told him to read.
• He was illiterate so he protested but the angel
insisted that he read. Hence he read (so he
claims).
• This is just the first of the visions that
continued (he claimed) throughout his life.
In one significant vision
• He claimed he was taken on his horse to the
temple mound in Jerusalem.
• He claimed that from this location both he
and his horse were taken to Paradise.
• Here he tied his horse to a stone and climbed
the stairs to the first heaven.
• At the first heaven he met Adam and saw the
stars hanging on silver chains.
As this vision continued
• The second heaven: was made of pure gold
and there he met Noah.
• The third heaven: here he met Abraham.
• The fourth heaven: He met Joseph….then..
• The fifth heaven: he met Moses.
• The sixth heaven: he met John the Baptist
In the Seventh Heaven
• Mohammed claimed he met Jesus Christ.
• Then he was taken within two bowshots of
the throne of God.
• Then he says God told him that he was the
greatest man on earth!
• Over time Mohammed's supposed visions
and revelations were written down in a
book called the Koran (Or Qur'an).
Continuing the Life of Mohammed
• Once his visions begin Mohammed tells his family
about them. They believe they are from Allah.
Eventually Khadijah his wife becomes his first
convert.
• Then other family members, his father-in- law, Abu
Bakr, (also his advisor and close associate) and some
of the poorer members of the Mecca society also
converted to Islam.
• Mohammed then takes a strong stand against
idolatry in Mecca. As a result of which he meets
severe opposition from leading figures in the city.
The Flight from Mecca marks
the beginning of Islam
• Mohammed and 200 followers begin to suffer
persecution and they are forced to flee the city of
Mecca to the city of Yathrib, 250 miles away (later
called “Medina,” the city of the prophet.)
• The date of their flight? July 16, A.D.
622. Referred today as the “Hejira.”
• This event marks the beginning
Islam. It also marks the beginning of
the Moslem calendar
Note location Medina and Mecca.
Take note
• What happens next.
• Why?
• Because followers of Islam today regard
Mohammed as God’s last prophet.
• Hence they take their cue for their
actions today from the deeds of the
prophet as he went about establishing
the religion of Islam.
Next
• He gathered an army. His men began to raid trading
caravans from Mecca
• Mecca retaliates. Both sides engage in battle. Meccans
defeated
• Made war on surrounding tribes instructed them to
convert or face the sword. The majority converted to
Islam.
• Mecca is later subdued
• This is exactly the approach of ISIS (Islamic State in
Syria) or IS (Islamic State) now operating in Iraq and
Syria today. They take their cue from Mohammed.
Mohammed Dies
• Mohammed died shortly after
conquering Mecca in A.D. 632.
• By this time all of Arabia was
under his control and under
the banner of Islam.
Islam Grows
• By 732 Moslems had conquered all of North
Africa and the Middle East. They went on to
conquer Spain, Turkey, India and south east Asia
including parts of China.
• The point: initially Islam was spread through
conquest.
• In 732 Charles Martel’s army defeated the
Islamists at the Battle of Tours and hence
prevented Islam from spreading throughout
Europe.
Note: After Mohammed's death
• A battle developed over who would control Islam.
Note Mohammed had no surviving sons.
• At first Abu Bakr was chosen as his successor.
• He was called the Caliph (“Successor, or deputy”)
• However, (take note) he was assassinated by
other Muslims after two years.
• Eventually Islam split into three distinct
“denominations” with different beliefs:
Eventually
•Islam is divides
into two major
sects.
1. The Sunnis
• “Sunni” means “followers of the prophet” and refers to the
practice of Mohammed.
• Sunnis believe in following Mohammed's example when there
is no teaching or precedent from the Koran.
• Sunnis are the largest denomination (85%)of Islam and its
followers believe other Moslems are apostates.
• The split between Sunnis and Shea came about over
leadership.
• Sunnis believe leadership should pass to the most qualified
not through hereditary succession. The Shiites believed
otherwise.
More on Sunnis
• Most of the middle eastern states are Sunni.
Including Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
• ISIS (Islamic state of Syria and Iraq), the notorious
terrorist group, is Sunni and hence initially got
funding from the two above mentioned states
(from their people or government).
• Sadam Hussein the late leader of Iraq was Sunni.
• Ben Laden and Al Qaeda was Sunni.
• Ben Laden's family was from Sunni Saudi Arabia.
2. The Shiites
• The Shiites opposed the Sunnis. They believed the succession
in leadership should be hereditary and in the family.
• They take their name from an Arabic word which means
“party” or faction.
• Shiites believe they are the only true followers of
Mohammed.
• This claim is based on the fact that of the one the first leaders
of the Shiites was Ali (Mohammed's first cousin)who married
the only surviving daughter/child of Mohammed, Fatima.
• A few years later Ali and his two sons were assassinated by
other Moslems.
• Later Ali’s son Hussein with a small group of followers was
assassinated by the Sunni Caliph Yazid.
Part II
•A Study of Islam:
the major
doctrines and
duties of Islam.
Note: The Central Doctrines
of Islam “The Five Pillars of
the faith "
I.
“
This must be uttered to become a
Muslim:
“There is only one true
God whose name is
Allah and his Prophet is
Mohammed.”
II.
Angels are
supernatural beings
who are inferior to
God, but superior to
man.
III.
There are four inspired books of
scripture which God has revealed to
man.
1. The Law of Moses
2. The Psalms of David
3. The Gospel of Jesus Christ
4. The Koran
IV
Allah has spoken to man through many prophets.
The six greatest prophets were:
1. Adam
2. Noah
3. Abraham
4. Moses
5. Jesus
6. Mohammed, the last and greatest prophet (in
the eyes of the Muslims).
V.
There will be a
resurrection of the dead
and a judgment at the
end of the world.
An Explanation
• Allah will judge men according to their works
which have been carefully recorded by angels.
• If one’s good works outweigh his bad works,
he will go to Paradise. If his bad deeds
outweigh his good he goes to hell.
• Paradise is believed by Muslims to be a
wonderful sensual place where each man has
a harem of beautiful women who will bear
children for him.
Central Duties of Muslims
• Followers must confess this creed in order to become and
remain a Muslim, ”There is no God but Allah and
Mohammed is his prophet.”
• Praying five times a day facing towards Mecca..
• Almsgiving is required; Moslems must give at least 1/40 of
your income.
• Fasting is a duty of all Muslims.
• A pilgrimage to Mecca is required of all Muslims once in
their lifetime.
• Muslim men are required to
participate in Jihad or Holy war.
A Note on the Jihad Requirement
• “Jihad” means holy war.
• Muslim men are required to go to
war whenever they are
needed..in order to defend the
faith. Those who do are
considered “holy warriors.” or
Jihadists.
Jihad
• If man dies on the Jihad mission i.e. he is
guaranteed eternal life in Paradise!
• In Paradise they are also guaranteed a harem
of 7 wives!
• This explains why thousands of young people
from an estimated 85 countries (including the
USA, Canada, and Europe, China, Russia are
fighting for ISIS in Syria and Iraq.
• Dying on Jihad is a sure route to heaven.
Part III
•A Study of
Islam
A Number of other Laws and
Traditions of Islam
• Moslem law governs both religious and civil
life.
• A man can have up to 4 wives and also take
concubines
• They believe the Bible is corrupted but the
Koran is the only uncorrupted word of God.
• When the Bible disagrees with the Koran, it is
because the Bible is corrupted.
The Koran: some teachings
The Koran warns, "Those who make war
against God and his apostle . . . shall be put to
death or crucified" (Koran 5:33).
One text from Sura (Chapter) 47 begins
"O true believers, when you encounter the
unbelievers, strike off their heads."
Other readings
• "cast terror into the hearts of
those who are bent on denying
the truth; strike, then, their
necks!" (Koran 8.12).
• "Strike terror into God's enemies,
and your enemies" (Koran 8:60).
Part IV
Contrasting Islam
and Christianity
I.
•Allah versus
Jehovah
Contrast between Islam and
Christianity
1. The
God of Islam is different from the God of
Christianity.
1) Islam does not believe in God as “Father”
nor in the Son and Holy Spirit. They believe in
God called Allah.
2) Moslems do not believe Jesus Christ died
on the cross was resurrected or is the Son of
God.
3) Hence they do not believe Jesus is God.
Contrast continued
3. Islamic people do not believe in
grace or baptism. They believe
you are saved by works. If your
works out number your sins, you
go to paradise.
Cf. Ephesians 2:8 -10.
The Contrast
4. In Islam there is no provision
for forgiveness or
atonement for man’s sins. Cf. II Corinthians 5:21.
5. Islam presents Mohammed as the last prophet while
the Bible says Jesus is the prophet whom all men
should obey. Acts 3:18 - 26. Deut. 18:15-19; Hebrew
1:1-3.
6. We live in the New Testament Age. Guided by the
words of Jesus and His apostles. At the
Transfiguration at which Moses and Elijah were
present, Jehovah said, "This is my beloved son in
whom I am well pleased, hear ye him!”
Contrast continued
7. Mohammed died and remains buried while Jesus
Christ died, rose from the dead and is now in
heaven. I Corinthians 15:1-10; Revelation 1:18.
8. Jesus rejected the use of the sword in his name
(John 18:11). While Islam has repeatedly used the
sword to force conversion or to expand its reach.
9. The Koran came from one man Mohammed over
a period of a few years. The Bible was written by
40 different men of a variety of background but
authored by the Holy Spirit over a period of 1600
year!
The Lure of Islam
• The watering down of Christianity
• The vices of the western World
• The widespread benevolent programme directed
at the poor.
• The clear path to paradise through Jihad
• It’s a male dominated structure, in a time when
the role of males seems to be less certain/secure
in western society
• The widespread ignorance of true Christianity
• Compared to false Christianity Islam looks good
The Challenge
• Islam is on the offence and challenges
our faith.
• Christians must respond aggressively
• Moslems seek to establish a world wide
Islam state called a “Caliphate” ruled the
Koran and Sharia law.
• Caliph means “successor” (to
Mohammed).
The Caliphate
• What ISIS has established in Syria and
Iraq is what it seeks to establish in the
rest of the world: a worldwide Caliphate
• The present leader of ISIS, Abu Bakr alBaghdadi, has called on all Muslims
worldwide to submit to his rule.
• Thus be part of this caliphate
Appeal continued
• The Muslims dreams a world-wide
caliphate (to include the USA, the
UK, Africa; the entire world) under a
single ruler!
• This particular goal is the focus of
Sunni and Shea Muslims. They will
use teaching or violence or whatever
means to achieve its ends.
An Appeal
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•
•
•
Brethren Wake Up!
Stand up Face the challenge!
Press on with the Lord’s Work
Support the spread of Christianity
World wide
• Speak Out!
• Do Not be Afraid!
The Christianity is in a Unique Position
to Oppose Islam
• The Bible teaches no latter day revelation.
Galatians 1:8,9.
• The Bible is complete . No new revelations
possible. Jude 3.
• The age of miracles have ended. I Corinthians 13:
8 -10.
• We are living under the teachings of Christ.
Matthew 19:1-9
• “The words that I have spoke shall judge you in the
Last days.” John 12: 48
Furthermore
• The Old and New Testament is just that:
Old versus New!
• The church is living under the teachings
of Christ revealed in the New Testament
• The O.T. helps us to understand New
Testament teachings. Galatians 3: 24.
What the Christian must do
• Christians must be prepared to teach more aggressively
and present the Gospel to rich and poor to all ethnic
groups.
• Aggressively pursue Prison Ministry. Prisons: A breeding
ground for Islam
• Use social media and internet technology to teach the lost.
• Teach the Gospel. Oppose false doctrines including Islam
• Teach in home family Bible studies.
• We must have courage and fearlessness in the face of the
threats, intimidation and militancy of Islam.
• Build your faith because one day it will be challenged!
• I Timothy 4:13
Appeal
• These truths: a matter of Eternal Life
• Heaven or Hell.
• “I am the way the truth and the Life, no one comes
to the Father except by me.” said Jesus.
• Accept Jesus Christ and no other as the Savior.
• This Jesus “ …commands all men everywhere to
repent” Acts 17:30
• “Repent and be baptized everyone of you in the
name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and
you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts
2:38.