CHRIST AND ISLAM – Understanding the Faith of the Muslims St. Andrews Road Church of Christ Instructor: Stewart Schnur Lesson One of Six Starting Right We need to get our study off to a good start.  This means that we must overcome our ignorance, fears, and prejudices we may have regarding our study. We will make comparisons of the Christ of the Bible and the teachings of Islam and the Christ of the Quran.  It is required of the honest and truthful person to go the extra mile being careful not to seek to prejudice people for or against anything.  We must do our best to stick to the facts regarding the teachings of Christ and the apostles and the teachings of Muhammad.  Because we are created as emotional beings we are tempted to base our conclusions upon the uncertainty of feelings.  We need to caution ourselves here for many are beguiled and misled by allegedly claiming some special feeling sent to them allegedly by the Almighty God.  We need to build our spiritual understandings upon a rock (Matt. 7:24-27) (sure things).   Christians want to start with the Bible and Jesus and the Muslims want to start with Muhammad and the Quran.  Others want to start with Moses or Buddha or the alleged special revelation of Joseph Smith.   What is the right start for Christians?  Let us begin thinking together about ten fundamentals principles in the Christian study of Islam. Ten Keys In Christian Analysis The following keys will help us look at specific teachings of Islam in latter lessons. 1. The Christian is to show deep and abiding concern for what is really loving.  We want God’s perspective and not our own.  Paul brings us to understanding the term “love” as one studies 1 Corinthians 13.  The focus on this term delivers us from feelings that may have a tendency to make us mean or bigoted.  A loving approach demands that we be fair and objective in our study of Islam.  We must note however that real love at times demands strong condemnation.  This rebuke must be set in an overall spirit expressing love firstly for God and secondly for those who are in disagreement with God and His word. 2. The Christian is to show deep care for what is really true.  Our desire for Muslims to care about the truth must be matched by our desire for truth.  Some repentance on our part may be due here.   Christians have often been careless about getting facts straight about Islam.  For example in history we see the “Roman church” establishment took over one thousand years to give an accurate picture of Muhammad.  That is a long time to be wrong.  There was a long time tradition of trashing Muhammad at every turn, regardless of whether the criticism was true or not.  This prejudicial technique may have kept some in the “Roman church” establishment but it did nothing regarding the subject of truth!   3. Christians must recognize the contradiction and ultimate disunity that exists between different religions.  We live in America the melting pot nation.  Many here believe “all religions are the same.”   Contrary to the opinions of many, the world religions do not agree on even basic points.  Buddhists do not believe in God.  Jews and Muslims and Jehovah’s Witnesses do not accept the concept of their being one God who reveals Himself to us as The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit.  Mormon men believe they will develop into gods someday.  Hindus believe in the worship of idols.  Our study will focus in part on the ultimate disunity of Islam as contrasted to the unifying faith of the Christian.  The Christian view is not now or ever will be “politically correct” in a culture that pushes tolerance and pluralism.  The three in one concept of our God is difficult for us to both believe and explain and it is often seen as blasphemous by others.  More on the “Godhead” latter. 4. Those who follow Jesus must also recognize every significant agreement between Christianity and other religions or even those with no faith of any kind.  When the Quran teaches something that is true, we can celebrate our agreement.  For example, the Quran teaches that Jesus is a prophet.  This agrees with the Bible so we have no matter of debate on this issue.  Muslims believe in prayer.  We Christians might take notice of their self discipline and realize that we need to be more faithful in our prayer lives.   Each religion out there today has some things we Christians can agree with.  Christians are not disloyal to Christ to recognize accurate claims and moral ideals of a specific religion.  In medieval times the Roman church could hardly believe it when they discovered that Muslims were accomplished in architecture and medicine.  Their prejudice had blinded them to the fact that God has a common grace that He makes available to all of humanity. 5. Christians must be aware of the half-truths and misleading arguments that are used to try to bridge the gulf between Jesus and Muhammad, between the Bible and the Quran.  Some who call themselves Christians are ready to dilute Christianity to try to make everybody right.  Through their intellect they often defend Muhammad as a prophet and the Quran as a word from God.  Their point is very weak and is based on stretching the truth simply to be accommodating.  Some argue Muhammad was a prophet because he spoke of one God.  Muhammad did help the pagan idolatrous world of Saudi Arabia in his time to understand this truth.  However, it is inconceivable that the title of prophet should be given to a man who denied most of the essentials of the Christian faith.  There is evidence Muhammad developed a deep hatred for the Jews.  Is this one of the evidences of a prophet of God? 6. The Christian must show unwavering allegiance to Jesus as the only Son of God, as God’s final and ultimate Word to humanity.  The church has always taught the uniqueness and supremacy of Jesus.  The New Testament clearly teaches that Jesus is Savior and Lord over all humanity.  The Islamic claim that Muhammad is the greatest is a direct contradiction to the teaching of Philippians 2:9-11.  “God has highly exalted Christ and given Him the name which is above every name” See also Acts 4:12 and John 14:6. 7. The church must affirm that the mercy and love of God shown in Jesus is sufficient to answer all concerns regarding God’s fairness in a world of many religions.  Christians must resist the temptation to maybe downplay the supremacy of Jesus.  Christians must help the Muslim understand that there is confusion among those who call themselves Christians and those who are Christians.  By their fruits learn and know the difference.  Those who act Christ-like and follow the teachings of the New Testament by their fruits are Christians.  Those who call themselves Christians and then do things like the atrocities of the Crusades by their fruits prove they are not Christ-like.  Today those who express a pro-Jewish prejudice (the Fundamentalist) and turn a deaf ear to the injustices often done to the Palestinians are not acting Christ-like.  Bible centered Christians often are required to take a stand against what the Protestants, Catholics, and Orthodox define as Christianity.  We know this is often difficult for us to explain to ourselves and others who make some profession about Christ.  It is very difficult for the Muslim to acknowledge that these differences even exist.  Often times they do not want to acknowledge these differences as it is an effective tool to prejudice their people against Christ by bringing up the subjects like the Crusades or America’s generally pro-Israel policies. 8. Those who trust in the Gospel must not forget the wrath of God that stands against all wickedness and evil, especially that which is done in the name of God.  Christ teaches the Christian of the power and significance of love.  This is often viewed by others as a weakness.  Certainly love can be abused and those who love can be taken advantage of.  However, let us not forget that a loving Christian response to Islam or any religion does not demand any patience for evil or any toleration of an atrocity.  The Islamic who practices terrorism and violence in the name of their Allah will certainly in the Day of Judgment from a Christian perspective receive the wrath and condemnation of the Almighty for this sin.  According to the terrorist understanding of the Quran they will receive great blessings for their conduct.  This obviously is not the same God of love we serve.  Please do observe the great SILENCE of the vast majority of Islam (which allegedly means peace).  Why do you think the majority of Islam is silent?  Is it because they are promoters of peace or is it that the majority are ready to let the minority do their dirty work for them?  Another question might be is the majority of Islam intimidated by this minority that they are fearful that they also might be attacked if they don’t SUBMIT!  “Submission” is another word that is often used to define Islam.  Yes if you terrorize just enough you can get people to submit.  That system does work very effectively.  In Islam you will know with certainty your place, OR ELSE!  In other words you will submit!  Don’t think, just do it! This authoritarian style of leadership does appeal often to the misplaced and insecure.  It appeals to many criminals in American prisons where the faith of Islam is being promoted and is growing.  Once again love and kindness are seen as weak and ineffective but is however something that can be used (manipulated) to promote their cause.  Amnesty International has documented what can happen in Muslim controlled prisons.  Their definition of justice toward non-Muslims often can include both physical and mental torture while ignoring their own legal systems.   9. Christians must be sorrowful for those who claimed to represent Christ and expressed themselves with an anti-Christ spirit.  It is easy for us to pick on Muslims for acts of terrorism in our time.  However, truth and honesty demands that we acknowledge the blood that was shed through the acts of the Roman Catholic Church against both Muslims and Jews and even Protestants.   Christians must allow the gospel of Christ to critique the church.  The message of Christ must be heard by all and maybe especially by those who profess to be Christians.  Real Christianity is personal and is about a relationship between an individual and their God through Jesus Christ.  If this individual relationship ever becomes secondary to the Christian then those who make up the church will engage in evil. 10. The Christian must have a proper understanding of the basics or essentials of the faith found in the pages of the Bible.  This framework of facts not opinions or church positions will help one to know the Christ of the Bible and will allow one to fairly compare Him with everything else that calls itself religious which is out in this world today.  Today many are deceived and often tricked into joining various cults simply because they do not have a strong foundation of the basics regarding Christ.  The Christian who knows the Bible will not be impressed by the neglect and misunderstanding of Scripture that is evident in the Quran. Tests For Truth In Religion As we study a new or world religion or own faith, how do we test for truth?  Please consider the following to test your own faith as well as the faith offered you by others.  Use these tests firstly to examine yourself and your faith (2 Cor. 13:5).   1. The GOD test – Does the religion recognize the one God of the Bible as the true God, the God who is the Almighty Creator of heaven and earth, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the God known as Father, Son and Holy Spirit?  Do Muslims worship the same God as Christians? 2. The CHRISTOLOGICAL test – Does the group in question exalt Jesus Christ as the only Eternal Savior, as the only eternal Son of God?  Does the particular religion look to Jesus as the final revelation of God?  Do Muslims really have an adequate understanding of Jesus? 3. The BIBLICAL test – do leaders in Islam really follow the Bible?  Are the many and varied commands of the Bible obeyed?  Are the clear and dominant teachings of Scripture believed?  Does the particular religion add to, take away from, or ignore God’s word? 4. The MORAL-LOVE test – Does the group in question follow the high morals of the Bible?  Is love central in Islam, and is it really practiced by its leaders and members?  Does Islamic faith illustrate that love is seen as the chief goal both in loving God and loving one’s neighbor? 5. The SPIRITUALITY test – Does the group show a desire for following the leading and directing of the Holy Spirit through the Word of God?  Is there a desire for purity and authentic spirituality?  Are there signs of legalism and shallow ritualism that pervade the culture of Islam? 6. The FREEDOM test – Does Islam offer real freedom to individuals?  Do Muslim leaders offer wholeness to their followers?  Does the religious group abuse its members through authoritarian leadership, secrecy, manipulation, and other forms of power-based control?  Are followers mistreated physically, sexually, or harmed financially? 7. The CHURCH test – Is Islam in harmony with the faith of the Bible?  Are specific Muslim groups sectarian, rigid and narrow?  Are some aspects of Islam too liberal or harmfully tolerant? 8. The SOCIAL/POLITICAL test – Does Islam care for the social well-being of individuals?  Do the Muslim leaders care about the political needs of humanity and women?  Does Islam do anything practical to address the painful realities of poverty, disease, and injustice?  How typical are the organizations like Hamas involved in helping the poor and also in promoting suicide to honor Allah and receive glory?  Do they seek to build or do they seek to destroy? 9. The PROPHETIC test – Have the leaders of the group been false prophets, either in the sense of false predictions or in the sense of careless prophetic stubbornness?  Was Muhammad a false prophet?  What comparisons can be made between Muhammad and Joseph Smith? 10. The RATIONAL test – Is a given idea or practice reasonable, in keeping with wisdom and truth even common sense?  Are the specific claims of Muhammad really accurate? The complex suggestions listed here illustrate that judging truth is not just an intellectual exercise.  In Ephesians 6:10-12 Paul reminds us that we are involved (not passive) in a spiritual battle.  Testing for truth demands attention to the realities of prayer, worship, and spiritual discernment.  “Beloved do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1).  Muslims often choose to be offended and defensive if we put Muhammad to the test.  Remember, “Thy word is truth” (Jn. 17:17). Christian Confidence In The Face Of Islam As we begin our study of Islam a word about Christian confidence or hope needs to be mentioned.  Often we may feel timid, afraid, or out of our league when we begin to speak of a religion that is strange and different to us.  If studying the Mormons, or Moonies, or the Muslims we may get that feeling to self protect ourselves and shut down.  This may say something about our own weakness and insecurities.   We need to be stronger in our faith.  In putting our faith to the test against whatever, we are forced to study more, to be ready to give a reason for the hope in us (1 Pet. 3:15).   Now consider our study of Islam.  As we prepare, we might note within ourselves some apprehension.   What if our study of Muhammad’s life leads us to admire him as equal to Jesus in truth and morality?  Or maybe even the more difficult thought that maybe Muhammad is a greater spiritual leader than Jesus?   None of us expect this to happen, but deep inside us we may have some concerns here.  What would this do to my faith in Christ? This reasonable anxiety must be confronted.  We must base our trust in Christ as Savior, and be confident that our personal insecurities will prove groundless.  In seeking truth we must get past the dishonest path of simply believing all the nasty things we have ever heard about Muhammad and Islam.   Let us choose to face the issue of Muhammad’s identity with integrity, and reach reasonable conclusions.  We must challenge one another to be objective about the details of Muhammad’s life understanding him honestly and impartially. I believe we will discover that the figure of Muhammad pales in contrast with the beauty, compassion, and majesty of Jesus Christ.  This study hopefully will put to rest any uncertainty as to who we need to follow into eternity.  Our faith and convictions in Jesus should be reinforced that Jesus alone is “The way, the truth, and the life.” (Jn. 14:6). The word “courage” forms the core of the word encouragement.  Christians need courage to put forth the effort to understand Islam.  Christians need courage to share the gospel of Christ with the Muslim world.  Let our confidence, courage, and boldness increase as together we face Islamic teachings and expansion.  Let us live and act like the first century church which had the bold and militant reputation of turning the world upside down for Jesus (Ac. 17:6).  If God is for us (and He is) then who or what can in reality be against us (Rom. 8:31).  There are no obstacles put in front of us that we can not overcome IN Christ. ______________________________________________________________________________