Islam to Christianity

1. The Challenge of Islam to Christianity

2. Classical Islam: power and authority Islam itself means 'submission,’ complete submission to the will of Allah Operates in every aspect of life at every level of society from individuals to states. Classical Islam divides the world into two parts Dar-al-Islam, the 'House of Islam', Dar-al-Harb, the 'House of war'. It is the duty of every Muslim to work towards turning all parts of the world from Dar-al-Harb into Dar-al-Islam – Shari‘a Law - an all-encompassing legalistic structure based on the Qu'ran and 'hadith’ (traditions)

3. Born in 570 A.D. in Mecca At age 40 went to meditate in a cave where he said he received messages from Allah thought to be through the Archangel Gabriel. Muhammadwas illiterate. He picked up stories from the Jewish caravans.

4. Teaching: Monotheism not polytheism (360 gods worshipped at Ka’aba (black stone at Mecca , image of Artemis in Ephesus Acts 19:35) oneness of God- Allah day of judgement need to live pure lives. Muhammad preaching

5. Muhammed became a religious & political leader in Medina In 624 A.D. he won the Battle of Badr, extended his rule over all Arabia. He united all the Arabs for the first time. The pagans of Mecca did not accept Muhammad’s teaching so in 622 A.D. he fled to Medina.

6. Muhammad and the Jews At first Muhammad had good relations with jews and Christians as the other mono theistic religions First converts were his own family Most inhabitants of Mecca rejected his teaching When the jews (& Christians) rejected his authority he became hostile towards them: bloody wars followed Muhammad modified his teaching and began to preach more militant islam (jihad) Taught that jews & christians had corrupted the faith from Abraham

7. Muhammad’s new teaching Obligatory Daily times of prayer, facing Mecca Friday was appointed as a day for corporate worship annual month of fasting was taken over from the pagans of mecca. Spread of Islam - In 632 A.D. Muhammad died aged 62 - Succeeded by Caliphs: ‘Golden Age’ - Islam spread across the Middle East and North Africa. - Most of Christian Byzantine Empire destroyed. - 11th-13th Centuries - Crusades: battles over the Holy Land. - Jews and Christians treated as ‘dhimmis’ inferior subjects had to pay jizrya tax. 1980’s Radicalisation of Islam since fall of Shah in Iran. (Persia) AIM: To set up a global Caliphate (world domination)

8. Islam and Christianity Islamic Beliefs Christian Beliefs • One God ALLAH • Prophet MUHAMMAD (messenger) • salvation by WORKS • paradise (place of pleasure: food, sex ) hell (place of torment) • Holy book: Quran (Koran) ‘infallible word of God’ in Arabic. One form. • Hadith(teachings of Muhammad) • Shari’aLaw Submission to Allah and his laws • One God Trinity: FATHER, SON (JESUS), HOLY SPIRIT • Salvation by FAITH • heaven( with God) hell (place of torment) • Bible – ‘Spirit breathed’ 66 books, 40 authors 1,400 years • Ten Commandments Obedience, but freedom from the Law

9. Islam Christianity 5 pillars Lifestyle worship 1. Recite creed 2. pray 5 times/day, publicly on Fridays 3. fasting dawn to dusk during month of Ramadan 4. giving alms to poor 2.5% 5. pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in lifetime. Public • complex doctrine • beatitudes • pray without ceasing • fasting as appropriate • giving, tithe to church 10% Private

10. Islam Christianity • missionary- hard control • exclusive • imperial, territorial • intolerant of other religions • male militant • Jihad (Holy War) • ‘moral’ but has hidden sins • sects: Sunni Shiite Sufi • Expecting the ‘Mahdi’(Anti-Christ) re-incarnation of Mohammed, ushering in the Apocalypse • missionary –soft • one way of salvation TRUTH • colonial expansion in past • non-resistance, peace loving • female (especially since ordination of women and feminist movement) • ‘Just War’ • seen as morally decadent/permissive • sects and denominations • Expecting the Messiah, Jesus, resurrected, to come in Judgement and to set up His kingdom on earth

11. Why is a tiny country like Israel (only the size of Wales) seen to be such a threat to the Arab world? Why do the Muslims want to destroy Israel? To try to stop Jesus returning to Jerusalem. Today Islamic Arab countries surround Israel

12. Key Events in the Spread of Islam 1980’s Imposition of Shari’a law in Iran by Ayatollah Khomeni and rapid spread 1990 Ahmed Deedat challenged British Christians to debate the WORD of GOD: the Bible against the Quran in London and Birmingham 2001 Bombing of the World Trade Centre in and terrorism against Western democracy

13. Challenge of Islam to Christians Goal of world domination Growing 4x faster than Christianity Spreading all over the world: networks & institutions youthful, vigorous and aggressive Worldwide 1 in 5 are muslim 1.5 billion 1 in 3 people are ‘Christian’-(most are nominal) The birth rate amongst Muslims is far higher. Europe: MASSIVE IMMIGRATION 12 CITIES TARGETTED - London as centre Problem: Incompatibility of Christianity & Islam The Church is largely asleep!

14. Problems Islam presents for Britain Christianity & Islam are Diametrically opposed Infiltration of the education system own schools , political parties, exhibitions etc Royal family pro-Muslim/multi-faith Prince Charles ‘Defender of faiths’ political correctness: Human rights agenda & Free speech Ref:Pawson D.(2003) The Challenge of Islam to the Church Hodder and Stoughton. London. Shoebat W. (2010)God’s war on terror.Top Executive media.US.