Transcript File - Christ Centered Lessons

ISLAM:
From God or Man?
Class 4 – Reaching Muslims
through Jesus Christ
o1
TODAY

A Quick Look at the Numbers
 Some 1.6 billion Muslims worldwide
>> one person in four
 Fastest growing religion on earth (including the U.S)

Over 80 % of all Muslims have never heard the
Gospel.

So how many “Church of Christ” missionaries?
>> 450 world wide (TOTAL) from U.S.

About 1 “Christian” missionary per every 1 million
Muslims
2
At least 42 nations are
almost completely Islamic.
3
Did you know?
Comparative chart - number of Muslims to those
claiming Christian faith:
1900 world population
1980 world population
2000 world population
“Christian”
26.9%
30%
29.9%
Muslim
12.4%
16.5%
19.2%
2025 world population (PROJECTED)
25%
30%
o4
Spreading of Islam

Most Muslim countries have either
closed the borders to missionaries
or have made evangelism illegal,
or both
5
Spreading of Islam

Islam is not only the dominant religion in North Africa,
- Began in Saudi Arabia
- But now non-Arab Muslims outnumber Arab Muslims
(3:1)
- The 4 nations w/ largest number of Muslims today are
outside the Middle East
+ Indonesia – 150 million – about the total in the
Middle East
+ Pakistan
+ Bangladesh
+ India – 100 million
6
Spreading of Islam
Africa – 307 million Muslims
 Asia – 778 million Muslims

7
Spreading of Islam
o
Due to the liberal immigration policies, millions
of Muslims have now emigrated to the West in
search of a better life.
o
In many Western European nations, Islam has
become the second-largest religion (32 million)
- France - 5 million Muslims
- Germany – 3 million Muslims
8
"the 10/40 window."
40 º N
latitude
1 billion unreached Muslims
10 º N
latitude
1% of mission giving
goes to the 10/40
window
Most of the people still
unreached by the
gospel live in the
10/40 window
o9
History of Mohammed
10
o Mohammed was born into a pagan Arabic culture in AD 570 in
the city of Mecca.
o He was an orphan by the age of six.
o He was raised by his grandfather and then his uncle.
o In adulthood, he began working for a wealthy widow, Khadija, as
manager of her caravan business. They decided to marry, which
gave Mohammed economic security for the rest of his life.
o He soon turned to religious pursuits to occupy his mind. He
frequently fasted, meditated, and experienced dreams.
o At age forty, he received his first “miraculous” revelation of the
Qur’an (an Arabic term which means “recitation”). He said archangel Gabriel had appeared to him through visions in a cave,
encouraging him to “arise and warn.” He began to recite what
Gabriel was revealing to him in the form of sermons to local
people. Except for a few loyal followers, including his wife, his
teachings and revelations were virtually ignored by the general
public.
11
o The people of the day, entrenched in idol-worship, belief in
genies and spirits, were unwilling to convert to his monotheistic
brand of theology.
o Borrowing from Judaism and Christianity, he preached
submission to Allah only. The Arabic/Muslim term for God, Allah,
was borrowed from the main god in the Arabian (pre-Muslim)
pantheon, Al-ilah. his name was derived from the Canaanite
word, El, and the Hebrew word, Elohim, both meaning “God.”
o Mohammed called his faith in Allah, Islam, which means
“submission” or “surrender”
o In AD 622, in order to find a more willing audience and to escape
a rising opposition to his teaching in Mecca, Mohammed led a
following of about 200 people to Medina. This was the turning
point in his career as a religious leader.
o That is why this date represents the beginning of Islam to
Muslims.
12
o The withdrawal to Medina is known as the Hijra. Due to a gap in
leadership in Medina, he soon became statesman, legislator,
and judge of a new theocratic government. However, all was not
smooth.
o He continued to receive opposition, especially from the large
Jewish minority in the culture.
o This rejection of a fellow monotheistic group caused Mohammed
to turn his emphasis against them and embrace the native
Arabian culture in his newly founded religion.
o The Ka’ba in Mecca became the center of the religion, and not
Jerusalem, as he had previously planned. (The Ka’ba is a black
meteorite stone previously worshiped by pagans in Mecca.)
o Mohammed “cleansed it”, and gave it a sacred meaning in Islam,
making it the place of pilgrimage for all Muslims.
13
o In AD 631, Mohammed and his followers, which now included a
300 man army, encountered the 1,000 man Meccan army and
defeated them.
o With Mecca now defenseless, Mohammed returned defiantly to
his home city. He and his followers tore down the idols of the
pagan religions, but preserved the Ka’ba. The Muslims formerly
prayed facing Jerusalem, but now they were instructed to pray
facing the Ka’ba in Mecca.
o By the year AD 632, most of the people of the Arabian Peninsula
had adopted Islam as their religion. Mohammed died that same
year without appointing a successor.
o He had continued his preaching of what was “recited” to him by
Gabriel, yet without writing it down.
o The first edition of the Qur’an did not appear until about thirty
years after Mohammed’s death. Variations of the text continued
until a final edition was agreed upon in the tenth century.
14
o Mohammed or the Qur’an never claim more than prophethood for
the founder of Islam. He only claims to be a messenger for God,
revealing God’s intentions for his people, delivering the Divine
Law and regulations for religious practice.
o Muslims believe that Mohammed is the fulfillment of Moses’s
prophecy in Deuteronomy 18:15-18.
o The Arabs believe they are “brothers” of the Jews, reasoning back
to the relationship of Ishmael, the “father of all Arabs”, and Isaac.
o To Muslims, this could not have been Jesus, since, unlike Moses,
he was born of a virgin. Mohammed is the fulfillment of this
prophecy, according to the Muslims.
o Of course, this completely contradicts Peter’s inspired
interpretation of the fulfillment found in Acts 3.
o Peter explains that Jesus, and therefore, not Mohammed, is the
fulfillment of the Messianic prophecy given by Moses in
Deuteronomy. The Christ is the one appointed to be the final
authority for men’s lives.
15
Blood from two perspectives
Blood from Jihad
Blood from Christ
16
Christianity was founded on the
blood of Jesus Christ
Islam was founded on the
blood of Jihad
17
Consider
Christianity began and spread
through evangelism…
Islam began and spread
through violence
18
The spread of Islam from the
beginning until the present . . .
Muhammad & the Medina Years • Raids to support the movement
• Muhammad personally led his
followers into 26 battles.
• By the Medina years Jihad was the
force by which Islam spread
– Mark A. Gabriel , Islam & Terrorism, p.31
19
The spread of Islam from the
beginning until the present . . .
Early Days Until Present • Jerusalem surrendered 678 AD
• By 711 AD Islam controlled
all of North Africa.
• Constantine fell in 753 AD
and Islam moved into Southern
Europe.
• Islam was finally stopped in 17th century
•There has been a resurgence of Islam during
the last half of the 20th century.
20
Contrast that with evangelism – Life
Blood of Christianity
Evangelism is proclaiming the good news of
Christ.
Christianity was prophesied in the O.T.
• Beginning of time – Genesis 3:15
• The prophets – Isaiah 53
• Psalms – Psalm 22-24
Consider
Salvation is promised to those
who obey the Gospel (Hebrews
5:8-9)
Islam guarantees Paradise to
Martyrs who fight for their cause
(Surah 8:39)
22
This warring factor is a contract
between Allah and Muslims
“Let those fight in the cause of Allah
who sell the life of this world for the
hereafter. To him who fighteth in the
cause of Allah – whether he is slain or
gets victory – soon shall We give him a
reward of great value.” – Surah 4:74
23
60% of the verses in the
Qu'ran talk about Jihad
EXAMPLE: Muhammad told to make war on
unbelievers – Surah 9:73
“O Prophet! Strive hard against the Unbelievers and thee
Hypocrites, and be firm against them. Their abode is Hell, an evil refuge indeed.”
EXAMPLE: Slay aggressors – Surah 2:190-191
“Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not
trangress limits; for Allah loveth not transgressors. And
slay them wherever ye catch them.”
24
Islam does not
understand JudeoChristianity’s patience in
seeking to overcome evil
via example and love.
o25
Islam has no redeemer,
no mediator, and no
forgiveness guarantor.
o26
God vs. Allah
Consider the following truths :
 Demands obedience to arbitrary demands
 Can change his mind, even to the point of
casting one from paradise
 Doesn’t care for all of mankind
 He stands back aloof
27
God vs. Allah
Consider the following truths:
 God is a God of Love (1 John 4)
28
The CROSS or the Crescent
A Study of Islam in the light of the Scriptures
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.
the
CROSS
or the
Crescent
John 3:16
“Go, therefore and make
disciples of all the nations,
baptizing them in the name of
the Father and of the Son and
of the Holy Spirit, teaching
them to observe all things that I
have commanded you; and lo, I
am with you always, even to the
end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19-20
The is
CROSS
or the Crescent
The Lord
not slack
A Study of Islam in the light of the Scriptures
concerning his promise, as
some count slackness; but is
longsuffering to you-ward, not
wishing that any should
perish, but that all should
come to repentance.
the
CROSS
or the
Crescent
2 Peter 3:9
God vs. Allah
Consider the following truths:
 We can have a personal relationship with
Him
 He gives us a means of redemption
 He is actively involved…
32
The contrast between
Jehovah God and Allah
is obvious!!!
33
We need to understand---More Muslims have come to
Christ in the last 25 years than in
the previous 1,400 years
combined!
34
Jack Evans

Bro. Evans, President of Southwestern Christian
College since 1967, is perhaps the church’s
MOST EFFECTIVE worker with the Nation of
Islam

He has conducted two high profile debates…



Available on YouTube
one with a Muslim scholar
and the other with a black Muslim leader.
35
Dr. Jack Evans

o



Graduated from Nashville
Christian Institute
(Marshall Keeble was Pres.)
ENMU (Steve Eckstein)
PhD from UTEP
LL.D degrees by Harding,
Pepperdine, and ACU.
President of Southwestern
Christian College since 1967
o36
Jamal Badawi

In the first debate,
Jamal Badawi, was

overwhelmed

by the careful preparation
Evans had made


A professor of Religious
Studies at Saint Mary’s
University in Halifax, Nova
Scotia, Canada.
Undergraduate studies in
Cairo, Egypt and his Masters
and Ph.D. degrees at Indiana
University.
Dr. Jamal Badawi has been
without doubt the best known
Muslim speaker in the West for
the last two decades.
His books on Islam and
Muslim-Christian issues are
quite popular.
Presented a 352-segment TV
series on Islam, shown in
many local TV stations in
Canada and the USA
o37
The Debate
Jack Evans vs. Jeremiah Muhammad
•
Jeremiah Muhammad – “in
that dialogue Jesus
kept coming out”
•
The ‘rest of the story’ –
Jeremiah Muhammad left the Black Muslim faith
and embraced Christianity and was serving as
an international evangelist. Unfortunately he has
embraced denominationalism.
38

What arguments did he present that made you
reconsider your own faith?

Actually, it was the question I asked him concerning Jesus that had
the biggest impact on me that night. The question was, “Where was
Jesus in Genesis 1:1? ‘In the beginning God created the heavens
and the earth.’” It was Dr. Evans’ answer that opened my eyes that
night. He went to John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word, and the
Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Then he said to me,
“Do you want to know where Jesus was? I can show you where he
was.” He then went to Colossians 1:16-17, “For by him were all things
created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible.
... and he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”

That was the beginning of my 13-month study of Jesus the Christ.
39
A message from brother Evans:
“When a Christian considers the millions of
Muslims in the world and their commitment to
win the world to the prophet Mohammed,
he must put on the whole armor of God as given
in Ephesians 6, along with a historical and
Quranic knowledge of Islam so that he may be
able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
The war has been waged, the battle is on, and
the soldiers of Christ must rise to the challenge.”
40
Studying with Muslims

It is important for us to focus on the important
issues:
+ Christ's deity
+ The crucifixion
+ The inspiration of the Bible.

We should view them as friends in need of truth,
rather than as enemies.

It is not wise to engage in confrontational
evangelism with Muslims
41
So, what should we do?
Simply put, we must use the Truth!
o42
“And you shall know the truth, and the
truth shall make you free.” John 8:32
“Sanctify them by Your truth. Your
word is truth.” John 17:17
o43
We need to learn to use quotes from
Mohammed’s Qu’ran to undermine Muslim
confidence in him and his writings.
o44
The Qur'an and Questioning

A Muslim may be more receptive to you discussing what the Bible
says – and you answering questions – rather than you probing what
he believes.
 Muslims are discouraged from asking questions about their own
faith.
"O ye who believe! Ask not questions about things which if made
plain to you, may cause you trouble. Some people before you
did ask such questions, and on that account lost their faith."
(Sura 5:101-102)

This is not like the God of the Bible who encourages us to seek, to
ask, and to knock!
 What does the Bible say about inquiry?
Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the
Thessalonians, for they received the message with great
eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if
what Paul said was true. (Acts 17:11)
45
The Bible or the Quran
•What Muslims Believe:
> The Quran is considered divine in its original Arabic form.
> Muslims memorize and recite it only in Arabic
> Muslims believe that many prophets before Muhammad were
also given Allah’s Word:
- Musa (Moses) – the Torah
- Dawud (David) - the Psalms
- Isa (Jesus) – the Injil (Gospel)
* However, Muslims are taught that all these writings were
corrupted, so Allah appointed Muhammad to receive the
Quran in order to correct the corruption.
+ Among western-educated Muslims, the great diversity of Bible
versions/translations adds to their belief that the Bible is corrupt.
46
The Bible or the Quran
•What Christians Believe:
> The Bible is the authoritative, inspired Word of God.
* The Christian view of inspiration is that God “breathed”
His Word through the Holy Spirit to the inspired writers.
So, how do we seek to teach a Muslim?
- Some Christian missionaries caution that pointing to the
contradictions in the Quran many times provokes anger
- The best defense of the Bible’s integrity is the nature, power,
and reputation of God.
- Some like to start at “common points of agreement” –
the 120 times the Quran points to the Bible as truth.
47
How does Islam view the Bible?

Quran 29:46 - "We (Muslims) believe in the Revelation
which has come down to us and in that which came
down to you (Jews & Christians)“
o
Quran 3:84 – “We believe in Allah, and in what has been
revealed to us and what was revealed to Abraham,
Ismail, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and in (the Books)
given to Moses, Jesus, and the Prophets, from their
Lord: We make no distinction between one and another
among them.”
48
Is Allah the same as God?

What Muslims believe--- Allah is One
+ The Oneness of Allah is primary to Muslims

They consider it a great sin to associate any
“partner” with Allah
- Allah Himself cannot be known
49
Is Allah the same as God?

What Christians believe--+ God:
* God the Father
* Jesus is God, the Eternal Word;
also the Son of God
* The Holy Spirit that He gives to each
Christian
50
On the Godhead
Islam Teaches...
Islam is monotheistic (Koran 3:64). The first phrase in the Declaration of the
Faith states:

"I bear witness that there is no God but the Almighty God and that
Mohammad is a messenger of God."


"For God hath said, 'Take not to yourselves two Gods, for He is one
God.'" (Sura 16:53; cp. 20:7)
"Verily God will not forgive the union of other gods with Himself." (Sura
4:51)
Islam rejects the concept of the Trinity. The Koran misrepresents the teaching
of Christianity regarding the Godhead, claiming Christians believe in "three
Gods" - Father, Mother, and Son. (Sura 5:116, 5:73-75; cp. (Koran 5:114)
† Christianity Teaches...
In the account of creation recorded in the book of Genesis, God speaks plurally of
His own Person. (Genesis 1:26, 27; cp. Genesis 3:22; 11:7; Isaiah 6:3, 8)
The Christian Scriptures, both New and Old Testaments, teach that the Godhead
consists of three persons in one: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Isaiah 11:2 "...the Spirit... the Lord... Him"
Isaiah 42:1 "My Servant... I... My Spirit... upon Him"
Isaiah 48:16 "The Lord God... His Spirit... sent Me"
Isaiah 61:1 "Spirit of the Lord God... upon Me ... the Lord"
Isaiah 63:9 "He...the Angel of His Presence... His Holy Spirit"
Matthew 1:20, 21 "the Lord (the Father)... the Holy Spirit ... Jesus"
Matthew 3:16, 17 "Jesus... the Spirit of God... a Voice from heaven (the Father)"
Matthew 12:18 "I... My Spirit... on Him"
Matthew 22:42, 43 "Christ... the Spirit... Lord (the Father)"
Acts 11:16, 17 "the Lord... the Holy Spirit... God... the Lord Jesus Christ"
Acts 20:21-23 "God... Jesus... the Holy Spirit"
Romans 1:1, 3, 4 "God... His Son, Jesus Christ... the Spirit"
Romans 5:5, 6 "God... the Holy Spirit... Christ"
51
Is Allah the same as God?

The Misunderstanding!
- Muslims consider Christians polytheists
- A popular misunderstanding of the “Trinity” is that
Christians believe that a Father God had sex with a
Mother God (Mary) to produce their “Son of God”.
- Muslims do not understand the arithmetic:
To them it is simple:
1 + 1 + 1 = 3; Father + Son + Holy Spirit = 3 Gods
52
Is Allah the same as God?

It’s not the analogy of adding units
1 + 1+ 1 = 3
it’s multiplied wholeness!
1x1x1=
53

The Old Testament prophets characterized the Messiah as being eternal. Moses records the
testimony of Him who spoke from the burning bush as the, “I AM THAT I AM” (Ex. 3:14), which
signifies one who is “self-existent,” or who is “eternal.” But more than that, the expression affirms: “I
am really and truly present, ready to help and to act, as I have always been.
This same Person is identified as “the messenger of Jehovah” (3:2). This mysterious Person is
viewed as “deity,” and was the same Being as the Messiah in Old Testament prophetic literature
(see: Gen. 16:10, 13; 22:15-16; 31:11, 13; Mal. 3:1; Mt. 11:19; cf. Jn. 8:58).

The prophet Micah affirms that the “goings forth” of the one to be born in Bethlehem have been
“from everlasting” (5:2).

John’s use of the imperfect tense “In the beginning was the Word?” in his Gospel account (1:1),
is clear testimony of the eternal nature of the Logos who became flesh and dwelt among men (cf. v.
14).

In the book of Revelation, the expression “Alpha and Omega” symbolically depicts “the Eternal
One,” and is applied both to the Father and to Christ (1:8; 21:6; 22:13).


It is equally clear that the Holy Spirit is an eternal being. This is arguable on the following bases.

First, if it is the case that the Spirit is deity, then it follows that he is eternal, for eternality is an
intrinsic trait of deity (Ps. 90:2; 1 Tim. 1:17).

Second, the third Person of the Godhead is described explicitly as “the eternal Spirit” (Heb.
54
9:14; cf. Ps. 139:7-10).
Is God the same as Allah?
2 ) Allah also has a different character than the
biblical God.
How do YOU usually finish the statement
God is ________. 1 Jn.4:8
Of the “99 names for Allah”, which Muslims
memorize and use for worship, NOT ONE of these
names is “love”.
(The most common characterization of Allah is
“The Merciful”)
 Muslims do not have the concept of a personal
relationship with Allah
55
Is God the same as Allah?

Allah is known in Islam as merciful rather than loving, his greatness
removes him from any concern about daily life. Because the Qur’an
claims that Adam only “forgot” and did not sin, there is no need for
reconciliation.
 Their understanding of God does not allow for the incarnation of
Christ nor the death and resurrection.
 God is viewed as so transcendent that many Muslims have been
tempted to find other intermediaries to meet their spiritual and
physical needs.
 Muslims can assume that God is so far away and so great that they
need not disturb him. So, they seek the aid of spirits, departed
ancestors, and diviners.
56
Is God the same as Allah?

While not acceptable to classical Islam, it fills a void left by a
doctrine that so stresses his transcendence and glory that he
would not be allowed to “become flesh” and “dwell among us.”
God would only send down his Word, but not engage himself.

An obvious separation exists between “high” and “low”
Islam. It is the difference between what the Qur’an teaches
and what Muslims generally practice.
The Allah is worshipped and honored in prayers, but not
engaged directly or understood.

57
Is God the same as Allah?







One of the reasons we have failed to evangelize non-Christian
nations like the Hindus, Buddhists, and Muslims is that we have
difficulty articulating the meaning and implications of the most
foundational element of our faith - our God is one God.
When Christians worship, unbelievers will know that God is really
among them and not some other spirit (1 Cor. 14:25).
When the poor are served it will increase thanksgiving to God (2 Cor.
9:12).
When the world sees Jesus they are introduced to the glory of God
full of grace and truth (John 1:14).
When Christ is proclaimed, Jews and Greeks will understand the
power of God and the wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:24).
Since there is only one God, only one mediator is needed to reconcile
humanity to God (1 Tim. 2:5-7).
Because there is one living God, faith apart from works is dead (Jas.
2:18-26).
58
Islam view of Jesus Christ

A religious dialogue with the average Muslim will reveal
that he knows very little about Jesus, and what he does
know is often in the negative and contradictory to
Christian beliefs.
 He “knows” Jesus is not the “Son of God,” that he was
not crucified as Christians claim, and that
 He is just another prophet, superseded by the last
and greatest prophet, Mohammed.
59
A Basic Contradiction between
Christianity and Islam





Jesus is the Son of God
Jesus is deity
Jesus died on a cross; was raised from the dead
We can only be saved by Christ’s atoning death
Christianity is God’s eternal purpose and his final
revelation.
ISLAM DENIES ALL THE ABOVE!!
60
Islam view of Jesus Christ





Jesus was created like Adam
‘Jesus was the prophet for His people in His day’
The prophet Muhammed superceded Jesus
Jesus is not the Son of God, or God Himself
Jesus did not die on cross
> ‘substituted Judas’
or was miraculously delivered by God
or “hid in a niche in the tomb”
61



But what do the Muslims say about Jesus? They give
honor to Jesus as a true prophet who succeeded in his
mission from God. Jesus is mentioned much more in the
Qur’an than Mohammed.
He is referred to as Isa (the Arabic equivalent of
“Jesus”), as “the son of Mary,” as Masih (Arabic
equivalent of “Messiah” or “Christ”), as servant of Allah,
as Messenger of Allah, as “the word of God,” as “the
spirit of God,” and as “a sign of God”.
Jesus is honored as a true prophet along with Adam,
Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Mohammed.
62

Muslims believe Jesus was inferior.




Jesus had only 12 followers during his lifetime.
They all abandoned him at his hour of need.
One betrayed him; and one who was part of his inner circle of
closest followers even denied him.
Mohammed on the other hand had thousands of loyal
followers.

His followers were loyal to him till death, even giving their lives
for him.
63
Deity of Jesus
† Christianity Teaches...
Islam Teaches...
God has no sons:
Jesus Christ is deity.

"...Allah forbid that He should have a son." (Koran 4:171)
Jesus himself claimed to be the Son of God:

"It is not meet for God to have children." (Koran 19.92)


"He begets not, nor he is begotten, and there is none like unto him."
(Koran 112:3)
The angel declared Jesus the Son of God:


Luke 22:70; John 10:36; 19:7

"And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come
"No son did Allah beget, nor is there any god along with him. [if so] then
upon thee, and... that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be
behold, each god would have taken away what he had created, and some
called the Son of God." (Luke 1:35)
would have lorded it over others! Glory to Allah! from things they attribute
to Him." (Koran 23:91)
Even demons confessed Jesus the Son of God:
"And they say, 'The Most Gracious Has betaken a son!' Indeed you have
put forth a thing most monstrous! At it the skies are bout to burst, the
earth to split asunder, and the mountains to fall down in utter ruin: That
they attributed a son to the Most Gracious. For it is not consonant with the
majesty of the Most Gracious that He should beget a son. Not one of the
beings in the heavens and the earth but must come to the Most Gracious
as a servant. He does take an account of them [all], and numbered them
exactly, and everyone of them will come to him singly on the day of
judgment." (Koran 19:88)
"And (they) impute falsely, without knowledge, sons and daughters unto
Him...How can He have a child when there is no consort for him...?" (Koran
6:101-103)

"And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried,
saying, Thou art the Son of God." (Mark 3:11; cp. Luke 4:41; 8:28)
The Father declared Jesus to be His Son:
•
•
•
•
•
Matt 3:17 - a voice out of the heavens, saying, This is my beloved Son, in
whom I am well pleased.
Matt 17:5 - While he was yet speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed
them: and behold, a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son,
in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
Mark 1:11; 9:7; Mark 12:6
Lu 3:22 - and the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily form, as a dove, upon
him, and a voice came out of heaven, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am
well pleased.
2 Peter 1:17 - For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when
there was borne such a voice to him by the Majestic Glory, This is my
beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased:
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Prophets

What Christians Believe:
> New Testament proclaim Jesus as the fulfillment of the Law
of Moses and the predictions of the Old Testament prophets.
- Jesus’ birth – Micah 5:2
- His virgin birth – Isaiah 7:14
- His suffering, death, & resurrection – Isaiah 53; Psalm 16
> Christ warned about false teachers – Matthew 24:11

Suggested approach:
- Do not attack Muhammad
- It is much more important to lift up Jesus!
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Religious History

What Muslims Believe:
> Muslims believe that Islam is the original religion since the creation
of Adam (its first prophet)
> They believe that over the centuries Allah has appointed prophets
to guide mankind.
* Ibrahim (Abraham)
* Musa (Moses)
* Dawud (David)
* Isa Al Masih (Jesus the Messiah)
* Muhammad (the last prophet)
> The Spread of Islam
- After the death of Muhammad, Sunni Islam spread widely under
the leadership of the 1st four caliphs (close companions of
Muhammad)
- Shia Islam spread through the teachings of “infallible” Imans (from
bloodlines of Muhammad)
- To Muslims, the military & economic expansion of Islam liberated
suffering people.
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Religious History

What Christians Believe:
* God’s plan unfolded through the ages.
- Jesus is the promised seed who would crush the
head of Satan (Gen. 3:15)
- Abraham was to be a blessing to all families of
the earth (Gen. 12:1-3; Gal, 3)
* Jesus came to remove the curse of sin (Rom. 5)
* The decisive battle was won on the cross when
Jesus overcame the curse of sin. (1 Co. 15:57)
By rising from the dead, Jesus conquered death
and offers the blessing of eternal life to mankind.
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Salvation

What a Muslim believes:
- The ritual practices of Islam are the pillars of their
religious system.
+ Confession of faith (saying the Shahada)
+ Alms giving
+ Prayer
+ Pilgrimage to Mecca
+ Fasting
- Some Muslims include a sixth pillar – the jihad.
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Salvation


Some view “the struggle” to be the internal struggle to do
the right thing.
Others see jihad as the fight (war) against enemies of
Islam.


The interpretation of jihad usually determines the
difference between moderate and radical Muslims).
Islam is a religion of works…Entrance to Paradise must
be earned!

Sura 101:6-9 “Then as for him whose measure of good
deeds is heavy, he shall have a pleasant life (in Paradise).
But as for him whose measure (of good deeds) is light, his
abode shall be the abyss (pit; hell).”
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Salvation

What a Christian believes:

The Bible teaches that salvation is a gift from God through faith
in Jesus Christ.

There are no rituals that anyone can do in order to get right with
God (Eph. 2:8, 9)

Even though no one can be saved by good works, followers of
Jesus serve Him, imitate Him, and do what He commanded.
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Salvation
Jesus said, “If you love me you will keep my commands.”
 We are to:



Repent and believe ( a turn of heart)

Be baptized (immersed in water)

Pray (as a lifestyle, from the heart)

Make disciples (among all peoples)

Love God and others

Partake of the Lord’s Supper (remember Jesus’ death)

Give (with a joyful heart)
We are to lead a righteous life involving worship,
fellowship, study of the Scripture, sharing the good news.
Jesus said that His disciples would be recognized by their
love for one another (John 13:35)
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A Christian Approach to
Muslims
“That they may be saved” - Rom. 10:1-3
 Some things to avoid
> Cultural “no, no’s”
- Offering them pork products
- Patting a dog and then shaking hands
- Showing the sole of shoe
- Forgetting to show hospitality
- Be careful regarding relationships between the
sexes
> Seeing all Islamic culture as totally evil
> Lack of critical thinking about our own culture

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A Christian Approach to Muslims

Separate the Gospel from Western civilization
 Demonstrate what it is to be followers of Jesus
 Deal with Muslim misuse of the Bible:
- Deut. 18:15-18 (‘the Lord will raise up a prophet..’)
- John 14:16 (paraclete)
 Meet head-on the contradiction between Islam &
Christianity
 Consult the Bible often to explain what you believe



(let the Muslim see/hear the Bible’s ring of authority and
authenticity)
I suggest a study of Acts; spread of Christianity –
WITHOUT the sword!
Meet with them individually
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A Christian Approach to Muslims

Barriers
+ Cultural
+ Political
> especially U.S. support of Israel
+ Spiritual
> Western moral decadence
> If a Muslim is converted to Christianity, he can be
put to death for apostasy
> They link state and religion
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A Christian Approach to Muslims

It is vital for the Muslim to see Christianity not as a
religion but as a living, loving, personal relationship with
God.
 Use Jesus’ lessons (parables, etc) –
Muslims are more influenced by “stories’ than by logical
arguments
 Be patient - Muslims are notoriously slow in turning to
Christ
 Handle the Bible with respect
- they will not lower the Quran below waist
- They consider it a sign of disrespect to write in the Quran
or Bible
 Don’t take Muslim to church until you think they are ready
- they find men/women sitting together offensive
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The Do’s and Don’ts of Reaching Out to
Muslims







DO make it clear you are a follower of Christ by your words
and righteous lifestyle.
DON’T assume your Muslim contact understands your
meaning of “Christianity”.
DO take time to build a relationship. Practice hospitality.
DO ask questions.
but DON’T take notes.
DO correct their misunderstandings of your beliefs.
DO talk about Jesus.
Note: They are easily insulted if you talk about Muhammad.
DO treat your Bible with respect.
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

Our challenge is to present the correct view of Jesus+ Followers of Jesus, through our words and actions, are
called to show others that God loves all people so much
that Jesus died on the cross; That he defeated Satan
and death by rising from the grave.
Forgiveness and eternal life are offered to each of us!
2 Cor. 3:18 “And we, who with unveiled faces all
reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed
into his likeness with ever-increasing glory,
which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
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
The Good News of the Gospel is the holiness of the one true
God!
 The steadfast love of God made it possible for him to fully
revealed himself through Jesus Christ. The mystery has been
made known and we have a message to share with Muslims.
 That message maybe much like the proclamation of Paul to
the Gentiles in Rome:

Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my
gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the
revelation of the mystery which was kept secret for long ages but
is now disclosed and through the prophetic writings is made
known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal
God, to bring about the obedience of faith—to the only wise God
be glory for evermore through Jesus Christ! Amen (Rm. 16:2527).
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All lessons found at:
http://www.christcenteredlessons.com
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