Presented by : Rani Espanioly S.A.L.A.M. in The Holy Land

1. Presented by : Rani Espanioly S.A.L.A.M. in The Holy Land

2. Introduction • Islam in America – Biblical Response • Knocking Down Misconceptions • Islam’s Worldview • Muslims Today • Strategic Bridges

3. Islam in America FEAR

4. Islam in America Fear is unhealthy because: • It cripples us • It keeps us from trusting God • It leads to anger and hatred • It prevents us from obeying the Great • Commission • So then, how should we respond?

6. A Biblical Response We must repent of our fear and ask God for COMPASSIONtoward Muslims. • Fear builds walls, but compassion builds bridges. • Fear leads us to despise Muslims, but compassion will lead us to pray for and reach out to Muslims. • “For God so loved the world (even Muslims), that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16

8. Knocking Down Misconceptions

9. Are most Muslims Arabs? • Of the 1.6 billion Muslims in the world in 2010, it is estimated that less than 20 percent would be considered Arabs. • Most Arabs are Muslims, but most Muslims are not Arabs.

10. Statistics • Islam is growing in the US at a rate of 7% to 10% annually, or about half a million a year! Now they are almost 3.3 million. • Third largest religion in America. • Immigrants • 2. Refugees 3. Int’l students • 80% of those who convert to Islam are women!

11. Source: www.salatomatic.com

12. What makes Islam so appealing?! First: • Muslims claim that Islam is the religion of peace and purity. • Hollywood = Christians In other Words: • The western society is bankrupt and morally corrupt; that is the proof that Christianity is a failure and not a religion from God.

13. What makes Islam so appealing ?! Second: • Islam claims there is no “original sin”. • A teaching that is accepted, more and more, by Americans who say to themselves: • “What do I have to do with Adam’s sin?”

14. What makes Islam so appealing?! Third: • Islam does not mention some terms, such as: “spiritual warfare, predestination, eschatology, talking to God by faith, Trinity, election…”

15. So, why is it attractive and appealing ? • Christianity is to blame – Islamic view • Due to its corruption: • Spiritually • 2. Culturally • 3. Politically 4. Economically

16. Why do you want to learn about Islam and Muslims?

17. Why is it important to study Islam? • To gain better understanding about the faith & movement. • To become an effective witness to Muslims. • To sharpen our spiritual maturity. • To learn how to defend our faith (in love and respect). • To better understand the negative Islamic view against Christianity. • “To understand Islam is to understand • the mind-set of Muslims.” • Al-Fadi

18. Islamic Misunderstandings of Christian Doctrines • Mainly based upon early centuries heretical forms: • Denying the eternal Sonship of Christ • 2. Denying the Deity of Christ • 3. Denying the Fatherhood of God • 4. Denying the Doctrine of the Trinity • 5. Denying physical crucifixion & death of Jesus • 6. Claims of scripture corruption

19. The Psychology of Islam • Islam is the FINAL religion • Muhammad is the FINAL prophet • The Qur’an is the FINAL revelation • Restored forms of worshipUniversal Message & Law • A call to repentance and purity

20. Sin and Salvation in Islam • To understand Islam’s movement of faith that is works based and legalistic, we need to get a better understanding of Islamic doctrine of Man and Sin. • God’s place in creation. • 2. Original Sin in Islam. • 3. Man’s place in creation. • 4. Man’s moral nature.

21. Sin in Islam • Adam is responsible for his own sin. • Humans are responsible for their own deeds. • Muslims believe that Christians are irresponsible for sticking their sins to Jesus instead of taking personal responsibility for them.

22. Sin in Islam Two types of Sins: • Khabira – Idolatry and blasphemy. • 2. Saghira – all other kinds. • The most serious sin that can be ascribed to people is “ Shirk “ – considering God as more than one. • No concept of atonement exists in Islam. • It’s all about repentance and Deen(Works).

23. Salvation in Islam • Salvation in Islam is by works: • Surah 7:42 ; 18:30,31. • Surah 3: 110. • Surah 19:60. • Belief ( Iman ). • 2. Works ( Deen ). • Doing what God enjoins (halal), and forsaking what he prohibits (Haram).

24. Earning Salvation !

25. The Judgment Day Yaum Al-akhira • Judgment day is considered the final day in history of mankind. • Islam teaches that God will judge the living and the dead. • The scale (Al-Mizan) will weigh the good and evil deeds. God’s three questions on judgment day: • Who is your God? • 2. Who is your prophet? • 3. What is your religion?

26. A Muslim View of … • Paradise • Four rivers: milk, honey, water and wine. • 70 maidens take care of a man’s physical needs. • Very sensual • No mention of good Muslim women • Hell • Perpetual fire • Skin burns off, new skin is grown and burned off, and the cycle continue. • Traditional information borrowed from other religions • Majority of dwellers are women.

27. No Assurance of salvation • Muslims try very hard to please God Salvation by own effort (40:9, 39:61, 7:43) Charity atones for sins (2:271,277) • Earn grace. • Earn favor of Allah. • Earn salvation. • Earn paradise.

28. Taking the Initiative God approach (Christianity) God Human approach (Islam) God Mankind Mankind

29. Know Islam’s and Muslim’s view of Christianity Seven Truths which can't be compromised: • Be a Gospel Expert • 1. Scripture: Holy Bible • 2. Original Sin, Atonement • 3. Death and Resurrection of Christ • 4. Divinity of Christ • 5. Holy Trinity • 6. Holy Spirit • 7. Eternal Life

30. Strategic Bridges

31. Why We Love Muslims ? • Created in the Image of God ( Genesis 1:26-27 ) • God Loves Muslims, Like All Humans • 2. Muslims sin and fall short of God's glory (Romans 3:23) • Like all humans, God loved them so much that He sent • His Son, so that those who believe • in Jesus will have eternal life • (John 3:16)

32. Why We Love Muslims ? Muslims are our Neighbors • Muslims are concerned about the same things as you and I. • Raise their children well • The rise of crime and • pornography, work hard to • pay their bills and survive

33. We must seek to UNDERSTAND Muslims Types of Muslims: • 70% are: • Cultural • Moderate • Truth Seekers • 2. 20% are Devout • 3. 10% are Militant

34. Taking Action • Visit Middle Eastern Market, ESL class, Refugee program, International student, mosque, work event. • Meet a Muslim Friend • Pray for him/her

35. “ We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20

36. Ambassadors What is an ambassador? • Represents his country. • Our job is to share. God makes people Christians, not us. • You and I don’t make people citizens • of Heaven!

37. Attitudes • Loving • Friendly • Biblical • Bridge the Gospel “Building a bridge demands moving beyond common ground and leading your Muslim friend to the truth about Jesus.” FouadMasri

38. Reminder • Many Muslims have been taught negative and incorrect information about Christianity. • It takes a genuine relationship and a lot of time to help answer their questions.

39. Taking Action How would you describe your Muslim friend/neighbor? • Cultural—His religion is based on traditional beliefs; he is Muslim because his parents were Muslim. • Convert—He converted to the religion from • another background. • Devout—He is highly involved in religious • rituals and is knowledgeable about Islam.

40. Approach • Be Patient – may take a • long time. • Pray. • 3. Present your faith in a • straightforward manner.. • “Muslims do not respect a diluted religion “ • 4. Don’t witness to Muslims • in a group.

41. Methods in sharing Your Faith 1. Questions: • Where did you find this information? • How do you know it is true? • Have you read the Injeel? • What do you mean by that? • What happens if you are wrong?

42. Share your Testimony – What’s your story ?

43. Taking Action • Practice an important biblical value: Hospitality • Share a meal and break bread together • 2. Host your Muslim • friend at your house.

44. Practical Guidelines • Friendship…not just Friendly (genuine relationships) • Build bridges to connect (time, intentionality, effort) • Hospitality…not Entertainment • Long term…not short term • People…not Projects or Programs • Relationship…notReligion • Caring & Conversation…not Contact & Conversion • Listener & Learner…Ask, Don’t Tell

45. TOP REASONS MUSLIMS CONVERT

46. God is at work in the Muslim world! • God can and does win Muslims. • More Muslims have come to Christ in the last decade than in the past 1400 years combined. • Millions of nominal Muslims are questioning their faith due to the atrocities committed by militants.

47. Recommended Resources: Ministries • Crescent Project • Gospel for Muslims • Engaging Islam • IHope Ministries • CIRA International Books • Dialogue and Interfaith Witness with Muslims - Ray G. Register • The Gospel for Muslims – ThabitiAnyabwile • Engaging Islam -Georges Houssney • Ambassadors to Muslims - Fouad Masri • Seeking Allah , Finding Jesus - Nabeel Qureshi • Sharing Jesus with Muslims in America- Abu Daoud

48. Do you have any Questions? Rani Espanioly rani@salamintheholyland.com