Islam and Christianity

1. Islam and Christianity Is Allah the same as Yahweh?

2. Brief History Mohammad was born in 570 AD. At the age of 25, he married a wealthy widow – Fatima. At the age of 40, through the angel Gabriel, Mohammad begins experiencing visions from Allah.

3. Brief History These visions were recorded and became the Qur’an. Tradition is that Mohammad was illiterate, thus what was written is a revelation directly from Allah as given verbatim to him by Gabriel

4. Brief History Numerous nomadic, Arabic tribes populated the Arabian Peninsula. These tribes were engaged in inter-tribal warfare and raids – female infanticide, kidnapping of women and blood revenge

5. Brief History The culture was one of polytheism, animism, and tribal values. Mohammad was of the Quresh tribe , and he preached against polytheism aand against the killing of female infants.

6. Brief History At the same time, the monotheistic religions of Judaism and Christianity were well-established. Mohammad was influenced by both. He preached against the polytheism practiced at the ka’ba in Mecca.

7. The five pillars of Islam • Shahada – “There is no god but Allah, and Mohammad is his prophet” • Salat – Pray five times each day • Zakat - The giving of alms/offerings • Sawm – Fasting once each year @ Rammadan • Haj – At least once in one’s lifetime, he or she should make the pilgrimmage to Mecca

8. Comparison of Worldviews OT Hebrew and Muslim Western Christian • Unity – emphasis on unity in all of life • Time – high respect for the past and tradition • Family – solidarity • Peace – harmony, integration; total way of life; both an internal and external characteristic • Unity – only for its pragmatic value • Time- future oriented • Family – emphasis on the individual • Peace – contentment; an internal characteristic; a segment of life

9. Comparison of Worldviews OT Hebrew and Muslim Western Christian • Honor – all important • Status – associated with wealth, family name, age • Individualism – emphasis on the group • Secularism – totally unacceptable trend • Honor – high priority • Status – a result of accomplishment • Individualism – a high regard for independence • Secularism – largely an acceptable trend

10. Comparison of Worldviews OT Hebrew and Muslim Western Christian • Change – An undesirable phenomenon • Equality – a theoretical ideal which is not practiced • Efficiency – a matter of little or no concern • Change – highly desirable phenomenon • Equality – a theoretical ideal which is not practiced • Efficiency – an imperative

11. Concepts of Religious Terms Muslim Western Evangelical • God – distant, merciful, capricious, vengeful, almighty • Christ – prophet, miraculous birth, performed miracles • Bible – one of the holy books; revelation from God, yet changed and corrupted • God – personal, loving, concerned, just, holy • Christ – son of God; fully man/fully God, virgin birth, did miracles • Bible – the revelation from God that is authoritative

12. Concepts of Religious Terms Muslim Western Evangelical • Trinity – God, Mary and Jesus • Faith – object of faith: God and Mohammad • Sin – weak, shame, embarrassment, rebellion against God • Salvation – need both faith and works, from God, no assurance • Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit • Faith – object of faith: Jesus as God • Sin – sinful nature, guilt, rebellion against God and man • Salvation – grace and faith, from God in Christ, assurance

13. Concepts of Religious Terms Muslim Western Evangelical • Sanctification – emphasis on obedience and ritual • Love – stress on the family • Supernatural powers – belief strongly in the spirit world; ‘jinn’ and the ‘evil eye’ • Sanctification – emphasis on the role of the Holy Spirit • Love – stress on the community • Supernatural powers – belief based on teachings of the Bible; little thought about spirit world

14. Reaching Out to Muslims • Be hospitable to them; welcome them into your presence. BE a friend! • Don’t be afraid to engage them in spiritual conversations. • Be courteous and loving; they are people made in the image of God. • Show genuine interest in listening to what they believe; allow them time to articulate their views. • Know their basic beliefs. • Be willing to examine passages of the Qur’an concerning their beliefs.

15. Reaching Out to Muslims • Know your own faith and the basic doctrines of Christianity. • Take the time to respond to all sincere questions. • Emphasize the centrality of the person and work of Jesus Christ. • Stress that because of Jesus, the cross, and resurrection, one may have assurance of salvation. • Share the plan of salvation; point out it is a gift. • Trust the Holy Spirit to provide wisdom and grace.