Sunday, November 21, 2010 pm
A BRIEF STUDY OF ISLAM
(2)
FACTS ABOUT ISLAM
Islam is one of the fastest growing world religions today.
Some say it is THE fastest growing religion in the world.
As we noted last week, there are approximately 1.5 billion
Muslims in the world, with about 2.4 million in the United States (about
.8%) of our population.
While that does not seem like many, consider that with a voluntary
census taken by the US Census bureau which identified about 1.6 million
members of churches of Christ (including all different types).
As Christians, one of our primary responsibilities is to seek and
save the lost. It is
important that we give ourselves every advantage possible in seeking to
accomplish this. A part of
that is to be familiar with what is being taught.
Paul understood Judaism and used that to convert Jews to Christ.
He also had some understanding of the many gods and their idols
that were worshipped and used that understanding to try and convert
pagans (see Acts 17:16-31).
IF we want to be equipped to convert others and to defend our faith, it
is always helpful to understand other religions (1 Peter 3:15).
Because of the prevalence of the teachings of Islam in our media
and society today, we have begun a study of that religion so that we can
more accurately understand it and be prepared to deal with it
scripturally. That is my
goal in this study.
In our last lesson we examined WHY we are engaged in this study
(see above paragraph) and we noted a brief history of the beginning of
the Muslim religion. We
noted that while it was a religion supposedly based upon peace, its
beginnings and spread were the result of many battles.
In our lesson today, we want to notices some facts about Islam
which will help us as we examine its teachings in more detail.
NOTE: In this lesson I will make reference to “Christianity”.
The use of that term in this lesson is usually a reference to
those who believe in Jesus Christ and His death on the cross as the hope
of salvation as opposed to all other world beliefs (including humanism
and atheism)
a.
Islam’s
attitude toward the Bible –
from God so far as it is accurate.
Islam teaches that both the Old Testament and the New Testament
(at least parts of it – The Torah, psalms and gospels) are from God but
have been corrupted through time
and interpretation. Because
of these corruptions, Muslims actually don’t view the Bible very highly.
They believe the Qur’an reveals what was necessary from previous
revelations.
However, they will use the Bible, when it is convenient to promote their
religion.
We will examine the Qur’an in more detail in our next lesson.
But I mention this here because I want to notice some appeals to
scripture by Muslims to justify their faith as being from God – the God
of Abraham (and Adam), whom they call Allah.
b.
Origins
with Abraham and Ishmael –
according to the Qur’an, Ishmael, being 14 years older than Isaac and
Abraham’s firstborn, was the chosen seed to fulfill the seed promise of
Gen. 12. In surah 37 (the 37th
chapter of the Qur’an out of 114), Ishmael was the one Abraham
sacrificed and was blessed by God (Allah). Following this, Isaac was
promised blessings if he and his descendents followed the will of Allah
(surah 37:113).
Further, the Qur’an makes reference to a place that Abraham and Ishmael
built (a house – surah 2:125-127).
Mohammed claimed this was the Ka’ba in Mecca.
Such claims are simply not in the
Bible and cannot be reconciled with scripture.
While Ishmael was promised by God to be blessed, note Genesis
16:11-12 when the angel makes a promise to Hagar where he was to be “a
wild man; his hand shall be against every man, and every man’s hand
against him. And he shall
dwell in the presence of all his brethren.”
The text does describe how his ancestors would be the antagonists
against Israel (which has been true throughout history) but it does NOT
attribute the promise to him.
In fact, the next chapter (Genesis 17) tells the account of
Abraham and Sarah being told of Isaac as the promised son.
Gen. 17:19-22 emphatically states that Ishmael would NOT be the
son of the covenant.
c.
Islam
and the prophets – Islam
believes that there have been thousands of prophets through time, but
there were certain prophets of high acclaim: Adam (the chosen of God),
Noah (the preacher of God), Abraham (the friend of God), Moses (the
speaker with God), Jesus (the word of God) and Mohammed (the Apostle of
God). (Caner, Emir, More
than a prophet, Ch. 4, © 2003).
While they believe in many of the prophets of the Bible, they
teach that Mohammed is the last and greatest of the prophets.
d.
Claims
of references to Mohammed in the Bible
–
i.
Deut. 18:18-19 – Islam
claims that Mohammed was the prophet of that book. The Lord speaking to
Moses said, “I will raise up for
them a Prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put My words
in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him.
And it shall be that whoever will not hear My words, which He
speaks in My name, I will require it of him.”
It is argued that this text refers to Mohammed because the
promise was made to Moses that a prophet like him would be raised up.
They say that Moses brought a “Shari’ah law” – a law governed by God and
so did Mohammed, both were military leaders and both were prophets.
They contend that Jesus WAS born of a virgin (but deny His deity)
and thus was not like Moses and He was NOT a military leader.
Furthermore, they contend that the term “brethren” meant the
descendents of Ishmael because he was the brother of Isaac.
Therefore, they conclude this
text speaks of Mohammed had to be the prophet the Lord spoke of.
Answer: The Lord was
speaking Moses concerning Israel.
It was from the midst of the descendents of ISRAEL (Jacob) that
the prophet would come.
Consider the CONTEXT of the promise.
Beginning in vs. 15-16 reference is made to the assembly at Horeb.
Horeb is a reference to Mt. Sinai where the Law was given.
Vs. 16 even makes reference to the response of Israel as recorded
in Exodus 20:19 at that mount.
ALSO, the point of a prophet like Moses could better be understood in
light of Moses as a mediator for the people.
Recall again Ex. 20:19 where the people speak TO MOSES and ask
him to speak for them to God.
Does that more accurately refer to Jesus who IS our mediator (1
Tim. 2:5-6, Heb. 8:6, etc.) or Mohammed who never claimed to be a
mediator, but simply God’s messenger
According to scripture, Jesus WAS that prophet (Acts 3:22-23, 7:37)
ii.
John 14:16, 15:26, 16:7 –
these are all passages that speak of Jesus going away so that “the
Helper” would come. Islam
contends that Mohammed was that helper that Jesus spoke of.
It is argued that the word for comforter in Greek New Testament
is paraklete (intercessor, counselor).
Then they say that Mohammed as called the periclytos (the praised
one) and thus the term referred to him.
They also say that the text could not refer to the Holy Spirit
because the Holy Spirit was already with them.
Answer: The most straight
forward answer is to READ THE CONTEXT.
Jesus identifies the Comforter as the Holy Spirit Himself coming
to guide them into all truth (Jn. 14:17, 15:26, 16:12-13).
As to the terms, paraklete and periclytos in Greek, they are two
different words. There are
thousands of manuscripts of the NT (some 5300+), yet NONE of them use
the term periclytos in the text.
Next, consider how interestingly the book they appeal to is the one that
begins by saying, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with
God and the Word WAS God.” (John 1:1)
Is it not interesting that a book whose purpose is to declare
Jesus AS the Son of God (cf. John 20:30-31) which Islam emphatically
denies is used to justify Mohammed as the true and final prophet?
Furthermore, in this discourse (John 13-16) Jesus over and over
declares Himself the Son of God.
FURTHERMORE, in this discourse, consider the following about the
Comforter in John 14:16-17:
Jesus promised His
disciples that the comforter would be with them forever – John 14:17.
Mohammed was NOT there forever.
The world could not see
the comforter because it could not see nor know Him – John 14:17
Mohammed was visible and known by many, where as the Holy Spirit is A
SPIRIT!
The comforter was already
with them – John 14:17.
Mohammed did not come along for about 600 years.
The comforter would be IN
His (Jesus’) disciples – John 14:17.
Mohammed was NOT in the disciples of Jesus!
Again, he did not appear on the
scene for some 600 years.
AS to the Holy Spirit being the ONE Jesus spoke of – IT IS WHAT Jesus
SAID! While the Spirit was
already with them (including Jesus at His baptism), this would be a
greater influence reminding them of what Jesus taught THEM.
Finally, as Jesus was about to ascend to heaven, He promised His
disciples that they would “be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many
days from now” (Acts 1:5).
Even Jesus emphasized a further influence of the Holy Spirit in their
lives. NOTE: Isn’t it
interesting how Muslims accept those portions of scripture that benefit
them and reject the rest?
II.
The observance of the religion of Islam
a.
Islam is a
religion very much based on works.
Islam teaches that in judgment your good deeds will be weighed
against your evil deeds. If
your good deeds are greater than you evil deeds and you have made
confession to Allah, you will be saved.
b.
The best
way to introduce the religion of Islam is to notice what the key
elements of what they teach.
Some of these we will simply mention now and examine further in another
lesson as we contrast their teachings with the Bible.
c.
What Islam
teaches: The Creed of Islam
consists of 5 (or 6) main doctrines of Islam. These are all based upon
the creed, “Ilaha illa Allah.
Muhammad rasul Allah,” “There is no God but Allah.
Muhammed is the messenger of Allah.”
The doctrines include
i.
Faith in God - Islam
teaches there is ONE true God and his name is Allah.
He has absolute unity (with no son or partner) and is all seeing,
etc. Belief in ONE God is
crucial (they condemn the Godhead because of this). (Surah 5:73)
ii.
Belief in angels – they
are honored creatures that worship God and obey Him.
Gabriel revealed the message of God to Mohammed. (Surah 35:1)
iii.
The
holy books – Muslims
believe God has given man a series of revelations throughout history.
These include the Torah, The psalms of David, the gospels and the
greatest and final revelation is the Qur’an revealed to Mohammed.
They believe that many earlier revelations have either been
corrupted or misinterpreted. (Surah 15:9)
iv.
Belief in the prophets and messengers of God
– as mentioned above. (Surah 42:13, 33:40)
v.
Belief in the Day of Judgment for all mankind
– on the Day of Judgment all will be resurrected and judged based upon
their beliefs and deeds. (Surah 21:47)
vi.
Belief in divine decree (predestination)
- Muslims believe that man has free will, but God knows all
things that have happened and will happen.
What He wills will happen.
All that has and will happen has been recorded in a book called,
Al-lawl Al-Mahfud (the book of Decree).
(Surah 6:59)
Sunday, November 28, 2010 am
Islam 2 – Facts About Islam - Part 2
We are in the midst of a study dealing with Islam.
We have examined the history of Islam and Mohammed.
Last week we began examining some facts about Islam.
We noted the attitude of Muslims toward the Bible.
They believe that portions of the Bible are from God (the Torah,
Psalms of David and the Gospels) but that they have been corrupted over
time and through wrong interpretations.
However, they will turn to certain passages with which they will
seek to legitimize the coming of Islam.
For example: They trace their origins back to Abraham and Ishmael
whom they claim was the true son of promise.
They also believe that Mohammed was the prophet like Moses of
Deuteronomy 18:18-19 and the Helper of John 14:16.
We also noted some of the core beliefs of Islam including faith
in God, belief in angels, belief in the holy books (the Qur’an being the
greatest), the prophets (with Mohammed being the greatest), judgment for
all mankind on an appointed day, and divine decree,
In our lesson today we will continue our study of facts by noting
the tenets of Islam and then some misconceptions Muslims have about the
Christian faith.
d.
Muslims
have 5 obligations (pillars) that they are required to do.
i.
Reciting the creed regularly –
to become a believer in Islam, one must recite the creed, “There is no
God but Allah. Muhammed is
the messenger of God” in Arabic. When
one says this with conviction he is considered a Muslim believer.
These words are then repeated throughout his life.
They are the first words whispered into the ears of a newborn
infant and should be said at his death.
They are to be repeated daily, not just as ritual, but with
conviction. He is expected
to not just believe this, but practice it.
And by saying these words often
with conviction, they remind him of his strict allegiance to his
monotheistic faith and its founder.
ii.
Prayers
– Muslims pray 5 times a day: At dawn,
midday, afternoon, after sunset, and late evening.
Before Muslims pray, they must perform a ceremonial cleansing
with water which includes washing their hands up to the wrist 3 times,
rinsing out the mouth three times, sniffing water in the nostrils 3
times, washing their face from forehead to chin and from ear to ear, as
well as washing their forearms three times, passing a wet hand over the
whole head, and washing
their feet (right then left) three times.
Then they pray a set prayer (ritualistic) in Arabic (the original
language of the Qur’an and of Mohammed).
During prayers they prostrate
themselves and bow demonstrating humility and submission to Allah.
While they can say prayers anywhere, Muslims often assemble at Mosques
for prayer. The word Mosque
means, “Place of prostration”.
IF they attend a mosque for prayer it is considered 25 times
greater than the prayer offered at home or in the market.
Traditionally, Friday is traditionally their day of assembly
where they will hear a message before they enter into prayer.
Many mosques have minarets, the towers located at a corner.
While not required, if one exists and it is permitted, one calls
followers to prayer from this tower.
Prayers are offered to remind one
that God is greater than they are.
iii.
Almsgiving – Muslims are
expected to give alms equivalent to 2 ½% of one’s worth (not just his
income) to be used for maintaining the Islamic faith and to help the
poor. There is a formula
used to determine how much one is required to give.
Muslims are also encouraged to give charitably above this amount.
The intent of such giving is to
cleanse the Muslim of greed and selfishness and to produce a sense of
equality. It is
crucial to one’s salvation.
iv.
Ramadan
– is the 9th month of the Islamic calendar.
The Islamic calendar is different than traditional calendars
beginning its time with the beginning of Islam around 622 AD.
According to Islam we are in the 1431 right now.
The Islamic calendar consists of 12 months and is about 354-355
days (11 days shorter than our calendar).
As a result Ramadan changes every year.
Ramadan is the month when Mohammed received his first “revelation” and
thus the entire month is observed by Muslims with fasting during the day
light hours. From dawn to
sunset (one person said it could be determined by stretching a black
string and a while string side by side and when one can no longer
distinguish between the two it is dark enough to break the fast).
During the time of fasting, the Muslim must refrain from eating,
drinking and sexual relations.
He is to read the Qur’an in its place. This fasting is designed
to teach self-restraint.
Exceptions are made for the elderly, young children and others
who cannot observe it for health reasons.
But if one does not have legitimate excuse, to fail to
participate is unpardonable and can never be redeemed.
v.
Pilgrimage
��� (Hajj).
Every Muslim who has the means is expected to at least once in
their life make the pilgrimage to Mecca.
Every year, during the 12th month of the Islamic
Calendar from the 8th to the 12th days, the city
is filled to capacity with about 3 million Muslims.
Only Muslims are permitted in the
city. During the ceremony
they perform a series of acts including encircling the Ka’ba seven times
at the beginning and end of the ceremony.
He also performs other rituals associated with the life of
Mohammed and Abraham and Ishmael.
If you are unable to perform this
ritual, you can have one make the Hajj by proxy for you.
This act of worship is supposed to
make one’s salvation that much more precious and demonstrates the
Solidarity of Muslims and submission to God.
vi.
Jihad
– a sixth and optional pillar
is associated with “holy war”.
Most Muslims see this as a spiritual struggle, but others take it
quite literally. Such is the
basis of the many terrorist attacks by extremist Muslim sects that occur
far too frequently. We will
examine this in more detail another day.
e.
Many of
these acts, as we have seen are actually based upon noble motives,
attitudes and principles taught in the Bible.
BUT the directions followed and the specific rituals are NOT
commanded in the Bible.
While traditions and rituals are not wrong within themselves (we partake
of the Lord’s Supper each week, etc.) we must guard against such being
mere ritualistic motions and religious creedalism that can lessen the
faith with which we do whatever we do.
(Much of the above details are from a book entitled, Unveiling Islam:
An Insider’s Look at Muslim Life and Beliefs, written by Ergun and
Emir Caner, converts out of the Islamic faith, © 2002, electronic
edition via Biblesoft).
a.
According
to, Unveiling Islam (Chapter 14, Christianity through the eyes of
a Muslim), Caner lists 5 perceptions that Muslims have about
Christianity.
b.
The
true Christian gospel has changed
– Muslims reject the Bible because they believe it has been corrupted or
misinterpreted. As an
example they contend that we are not following the historical Jesus.
They believe His work was to call Israelites back to worship the
God of Abraham and Moses. Further,
they totally reject the teachings of Paul as altering the message of
Jesus by denouncing the Torah, revised the life of Christ, etc.
Answer:
How we got our Bibles is a study within itself, but let us
suffice it by saying, there is ample evidence to demonstrate that the
methods used to translate the Bible are clearly verifiable (cf. the Dead
Sea Scrolls, etc.).
AS to corrupting the message, it is interesting that the Qur’an uses
high praise for the Bible (at least portions of it) saying, God sent
down the Law (of Moses) and the Gospel (of Jesus)…as a guide to mankind
(Surah 3:2-3) and also calling it, “the Word of God”, “the Book of God”,
etc.
How could God allow such to be
corrupted? In fact,
it is interesting that the Qur’an says, “And there is not to change the
words of Allah” (surah 6:34) & “there is not changing the words of
Allah” (surah 10:64).
Furthermore, consider that the
gospels are NOT inconsistent with the letters of Paul.
Also, there is NOT evidence, external or internal, that Paul
corrupted anything that Jesus said.
We will address this some more when we examine the Qur’an in more
detail.
c.
Christians are divided and weak
– they point to the denominational division and contrast that with the
unity of Muslim believers in the 5 pillars and pray similarly to Allah.
They also note how Christians (as they define them) cannot even
agree on what Bible to use, citing the added books of the Catholic
Bible,etc.
Answer: They have a point.
I have often preached against denominational division (cf. 1 Cor.
1:10, John 17:20-21, etc.) and cited such as a source of religious
confusion. AND I have
preached against indifference and ignorance.
But that does not change that the
Bible CAN be understood and followed (cf. Eph. 5:17, etc.).
The problem is in rejection of what the Bible actually says,
which many denominations have in common with the Islam.
But that doesn’t
discredit the Bible.
Furthermore, Muslims are not as united as they would like you to
think. The two prevailing
tribes of Muslim, Sunnis and Shi’ites trace their differences back to
shortly after Mohammed and who should succeed him.
Sunnis believe that the leaders in Islam should be chosen (the
majority of Muslims) by them while Shi’ites
believe in the succession of leaders coming through the lineage
of Mohammed. There are some
doctrinal differences between them as well.
Also, consider this. Most
Muslims profess to be peace loving and do not approve of the terrorism
of the extremists, but the fact remains there are extremists who murder
innocent people in the name of Allah.
If Muslims profess to be united, do they approve of these
actions? They either approve OR they are divided.
WHICH IS IT? I
suspect that there are also Muslims who are weak or not as committed as
others would like them to be, especially when you consider the family
pressure to conform AND the consequences of leaving their faith (similar
to believers in Jesus who would not stand up for Him – John 12:42-43)
Then there are the fringe groups
such as the Nation of Islam conceived by Elijah Poole, which are not
accepted by many traditional Muslims (or are they!?!).
d.
Christians have maligned true Islam
– Muslims believe that Christians misuse the Qur’an to defame Islamic
religion, with the greatest example being distortion of the doctrine of
Jihad (the majority stating it is actually an internal struggle).
They contend Christians prey on ignorant Muslims to convert them.
Answer: I cannot justify
statements made in ignorance (and prejudice) against Islam.
But I would say the same of any dishonest assessment of one’s
faith.
Ephesians 4:25 says, “Therefore, putting away lying, ‘let each one of
you speak truth with his neighbor’, for we are members one of another.”
(Cf. Zech 8:16).
Rom. 15:2 speaks of us pleasing our neighbor for his own edification.
Rev. 21:8 tells us that “all
liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and
brimstone, which is the second death..”
However, Islam is NOT innocent in this.
They malign the Christian faith to a greater extent.
Consider their intolerance of Christian missionaries in Muslim
countries. They do not want
true dialogue. Also consider
what they say about the Bible, Paul, Jesus, etc.
Why is it acceptable for them to condemn our faith and so
strongly condemn one who leaves Islam, but it is NOT acceptable for us
to question their belief system?
1 John 4:1 tells us to test all things.
e.
Christians are blind and unreasonable
– they cite examples of Mohammed encountering many Christians who were
unable to logically explain their faith and some who were contentious or
confused. Muslims believe
that many Christians today cannot defend the Bible, Jesus as the Son of
God or the Trinity. They
also cite many of their beliefs which are at odds with the Muslim system
of religion (including the crucifixion, Jesus as the Son of God, the
Godhead, etc.)
Answer: Again some are,
but that is not because the Bible is flawed.
Rather some Christians are willfully or lazily ignorant.
They are wrong! Eph. 5:17 commands us to seek to understand what
the will of the Lord is. Acts 17:30-31 commands repentance and condemns
ignorance.
2 Thess. 3:10-12 commands work and business.
Heb. 6:12 condemns sluggish behavior.
1 Pet. 3:15 commands us to be ready to defend our faith.
Maybe such should take a lesson from the encouragement to learn from
Muslims (but NOT accepting the faith of Islam itself).
Furthermore, not all Muslims are totally consistent either.
Few know Arabic enough to read the Qur’an fluently in its
original tongue.
f.
The
Christian faith overlooks immorality
– they look at Western civilization and see all the immorality that it
tolerated (sexual immorality, drunkenness, drug abuse, greed, crime,
etc.) of by Christian religion.
They contrast this with the holy demands of Islam toward
consistent purity.
Answer: While it is true
that there is much immorality in America and in Europe in so-called
Christian nations, it does not mean the Bible endorses such.
WE DON’T!!!! (Or do we!?!)
Much of the immorality in our nation is the result of unbelievers
and hypocrites. I know of
many denominations whom I disagree with their doctrinal stance, but they
condemn the immorality of the world just as we do.
The truth is, most western nations are pagan and as they become
more pagan and stand AGAINST the values of the Bible, they become
increasingly immoral. And
while there are so-called churches that tolerate all sorts of
immorality, they are not approved of by those who take a Biblical stand
against such. So it is not
fair or honest to equate the Christian faith with the immorality that
Islam condemns.
Furthermore, not all Muslims are as “pure as the wind driven snow.”
They get caught up in immorality just like everyone else.
Is it approved by Islam? No!
Is it tolerated in some instances?
Since the religion is made up of people it probably is.
Furthermore, they set own moral standards (much of which I agree
with) which might allow some activities I would not consider moral.
So who is right? For
example: Mohammed was a polygamist after his first wife died.
The best response to such charges
is a pure, moral Christian life.
Let your light shine (Matt. 5:14-16, Phil. 2:14-16, 1 Peter
2:11-12). Notice especially
Ephesians 5:1-7 which speaks of example and how NOT to live.
And thus we have seen some facts about Islam.
We have examined their attitude toward the Bible, yet their
willingness to appeal to portions of it to justify their own belief
system. We have briefly
examined some of the fundamentals of the Muslim faith and we have noted
their distorted view of Christianity.
In our next lesson we will take a closer look at the Qur’an and
compare it to what the Bible teaches.
We will then examine some of their doctrines and note some other
elements of this religion.
While very much a false religion, true Muslims set an example of
true devotion to what they believe in.
While theirs is a religion more of ritualism and works than
faith, they demonstrate their faith.
Do we? (James 2:18)
The best way to influence a Muslim (or anyone else for that matter) is
to live like a Christian in everything.
Like it or not, your actions DO speak louder than your words.
What are your actions saying?