Islam and the Bible
Islam: A Christian Interaction
(These notes were prepared by Ryan H.)
Why understand?
“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” 1 Peter 3:15-16
Islam is here.
Muslims live in almost every city in the metro Detroit.
Probably around 40,000 in Dearborn.
7,000-10,000 in Hamtramck with 7 mosques.
Public call to prayer in Dearborn and Hamtramck.
Western Reactions to Islam
“Islam is violent”
“Islam is peaceful”
“All Muslims are…”
Islam is not monolithic. The reality is that Islam has many internal division. The most important is the division between the Sufis and the Shiites. Further there are liberal Muslims, there are moderate Muslims, and there are radical Muslims. There is folk Islam with its shamanistic Muslims and its mystical Muslims.
Islamic Reactions to Christianity
“Christians are immoral”
“All Americans are Christians”
“All Christians believe…”
Necessary Presuppositions
Muslims are people
Folk Islam: tremendous variety of belief
Islam is a total way of life:
Islam is a total way of life:
The Qur’an shows man the way to a realization of his goal on earth; it describes this path in the most complete terms. It is a way of correctly viewing the reality of things; a vision – personal, social and cosmic – based on a correct manner of behavior and a precise method of interaction between men.
–Tabataba’I, p. 26
The Qur’an is a document that is squarely aimed at man; indeed, it calls itself “guidance for mankind” (hudan li’l-nas [2:185] and numerous equivalents elsewhere)…Still the Qur’an is no treatise about God and His nature: His existence, for the Qur’an, is strictly functional.”
–Fazlur Rahman, Major Themes of the Qur’an, p. 1.
Basic Beliefs: Islam
“There is no God but Allah and Mohammed is his prophet.”
Five pillars
Giving Alms (2% of income)
Prayers (5x daily)
Fasting during month of Ramadan
Pilgrimage (once in life, if able)
Confession of Faith
Basic Beliefs: Christianity
“Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.”
Turn to God
Repent, confessing sins
Place faith in Jesus Christ alone.
Having repented enter a new life of love and service for the Lord.
Basic Beliefs: Islam
The Qur’an is an eternally, uncreated book proceeding from God.
There is an eternal copy in heaven.
It was handed down piecemeal.
-Doctrine largely from the Hadith
Paradise
Not with God
Sensual pleasures
Prayer
Pray only God’s words too him
no intercessory prayer.
Basic Beliefs: Christianity
The Bible is the inspired word of God, infallible, and inerrant.
It was produced by men who were guided and guarded by the Holy Spirit making it exactly what God wanted.
Heaven
Eternally dwelling and fellowshipping with God.
Worshiping God forever.
Prayer
“Cast all you care on him because he cares for you”
Basic Beliefs: Islam
Sin
Against God and man.
Good deeds can earn merit and forgive sin.
Varying gradations of sin.
Salvation
Good deeds must outweigh bad
Many say: If you believe in God and put nothing/no one with Him, then you are saved.
Basic Beliefs: Christianity
Sin
Against God
Through Christ’s perfect sacrifice alone the sinner can stand justified before God.
Any sin merits eternal punishment.
Salvation
By grace through faith alone
Only those who come to God by faith in Christ may be saved.
Origins
Mohammed: Born 570, died 632
Born to a society that had at least 365 gods.
Early influences and interactions with Jews and Christians (mostly heretical groups of each)
Began receiving “prophecies” in 610.
Early History
Worked toward a cleansing of the Ka’aba, which was full of idols.
Persecution of early followers in Mecca
Exiled to Medina. Both Hadija and Abu-Talif died in 619. Mohammed becomes much more militaristic. Moves to Medina from 620-622; Launches a guerilla war against Mecca’s trade routes.
Returns to Mecca in 628 with 1400 warriors. The city sues for peace. In 630 he breaks the treaty and seizes control. The Ka’aba is cleansed. Mohammed assumes control of city.
632 Mohammed dies.