Christianity and Islam (Part 1 of 2) by Kyle Pope
(Reprinted from Biblical Insights, http://www.biblical-insights.org/)
Only a few decades ago for Christians in America the Islamic faith was something distant and unrelated to anything that we might encounter in our daily lives. The rise in immigration, conversion, and the tide of world events has changed the situation. Now it may be that our next-door neighbors, the clerk at the corner store, or our children's classmates are devout Muslims. Christians must be ready to teach all men and be prepared to face the challenges of this growing religious movement.
Summary of Islam
The name Islam means "submission." One who practices
Islam is a "Muslim" (meaning "one who submits to
God"). Islam began in 610 AD. When an Arabic tribesman named
Muhammad claimed to receive divine instruction to teach Islam.
Recitations which Muhammad claimed to have been given by the angel
Gabriel, were written, circulated, and in 632 A.D. compiled into
the Qur'an, the sacred book of Islam.
While Islam is divided into factions over different beliefs about
leadership, some core doctrines are common to all Muslims. These
are summed up in six points: 1. There is one God-Allah; 2. Allah
has revealed himself to prophets in the past (Abraham, Moses,
Jesus, etc.); 3. Muhammad was the final prophet of Allah; 4. Islam
is the faith practiced by Abraham and the faithful of the past;
5. The Qur'an is the full and final revelation of God; 6. At the
resurrection Muslims will receive eternal paradise and unbelievers
the punishment of eternal fire.
Islamic practice revolves around five activities:
1. Profession of faith. To be a Muslim one must recite-"There
is no God but Allah and Muhammad is his prophet."
2. Prayer. The faithful Muslim prays five times daily facing the
city of Mecca.
3. Almsgiving. Muslims must give a religious tax and freewill
offerings.
4. Fasting. During daylight of the Islamic month of Ramadan Muslims
are to fast and abstain from sex.
5. Pilgrimage. Muslims must try to make a sacred pilgrimage to
Mecca (one of the first cities where Muhammad taught Islam).
Islam and Christianity
While Christians reject the Islamic claim that Jesus was only
a prophet, there are a number of logical inconsistencies in the
Islamic faith that must also be considered. These concern two
questions: 1. Is the Bible reliable? and 2. Who is Jesus?
What Does the Qur'an say about the Bible?
While the Qur'an is presented as the final revelation of God,
the Qur'an itself makes some clear statements about the origin,
inspiration and accuracy of the Bible. This fact presents Islam
with some difficulties. For example the Qur'an claims God gave
scripture to Moses (Sura 2:53); Israel was given God's message
(Sura 2:47); the Law is a guide to truth (Sura 3:93); Moses was
followed by the prophets and Jesus (Sura 2:87); the books of Moses,
the Prophets and Jesus came from God (Sura 3:84) and that God's
revelation is not lost (Sura 2:106). In fact, the Qur'an claims
to confirm those books which came before. It states-"It is
He who sent down to thee (step by step), in truth, the Book, confirming
what went before it; and He sent down the Law (of Moses) and the
Gospel (of Jesus) before this as a guide to mankind" (Sura
3:3).
While the Qur'an claims to confirm the Bible, it is clear that there are many biblical teachings which conflict with Islam. In 2 Timothy 3:14-17 we are taught that within the Bible there is all that is needed to be "thoroughly equipped for every good work." The apostle Paul taught that the revelation of divine doctrine was complete in the first century. He wrote-'But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed" (Gal 1:8). The Bible teaches that salvation is found in Jesus' name, affirming-"there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). How can the Bible be from God and the Qur'an claim to confirm the Bible if it does not accept these doctrines?
Grace Under Fire by W. Frank Walton (wfwalton@juno.com)
"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among
you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange
thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share
the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the
revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. If you
are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the
Spirit of glory and of God rests on you" (1 Peter 4:12-14)
Peter teaches God's "grace" can bolster persecuted Christians
in the increasingly hostile Roman Empire (1 Pet 2:9, 5:10, 12).
Fire destroyed much of Rome, capital of the empire, in 64 A.D.
Rumors started that Nero started it, allegedly to make room for
his building projects.
In 100 A.D., Roman historian Tacitus wrote: "Therefore, to
stop the rumor [that Nero had set Rome on fire], he falsely charged
with guilt, and punished with the most fearful tortures, the persons
commonly called Christians, who were hated for their enormities.
Christus, the founder of that name, was put to death as a criminal
by Pontius Pilate, procurator of Judea, in the reign of Tiberius,
but the pernicious superstition - repressed for a time, broke
out yet again....Those were arrested who confessed they were Christians;
next on their information, a vast multitude were convicted, not
so much on the charge of burning the city, as of `hating the human
race" [by not attending social events involving idolatry].
In their very deaths they were made the subjects of sport: for
they were covered with the hides of wild beasts, and torn to death
by dogs, or nailed to crosses, or set on fire, and when the day
waned, burned to serve for the evening lights. Nero offered his
own gardens for that spectacle....For this cause a feeling of
pity arose towards the sufferers, though guilty and deserving
of exemplary capital punishment, because they seemed not to be
cut off for the public good, but were victims of the ferocity
of one man." (Annals 15.44).
Peter counsels distressed brethren that they can, by trusting
in God, exemplify "grace under fire." Trials test the
depth and quality of our faith in God. "A faith that hasn't
been tested cannot be trusted." Do we wonder if we could
rise to the occasion for Christ under the painful threat of torture
and death? God being my helper, I hereby highly resolve that I
can daily live faithfully. Christ did not let me down. I literally
owe him my whole life (1 Pet 1:19).
For the faithful Christian, the power of God's grace and the providence
of His Spirit will give the strength to bear up under unjust sorrows
(1 Pet 2:9, 4:14). God sees and knows our struggles. He can take
care of us. Amid life's injustices, we can keep rejoicing by looking
to the wonderful eternal world to come. There God will right all
wrongs (1 Pet 2:23). This world is not our home. We're simply
"aliens" passing through to a better place (1 Pet 1:1).
In the great conflict between good and evil, this world is a battleground
for the souls of men. Suffering for the right, against the evil
schemes of the devil, is inevitable before we enter glory on the
other side. Neutrality is impossible. We must show to a dark and
dying world which side we're on. If there were no trials, there
could be no triumphs.
This divine grace in them demonstrated that the gospel could survive
and thrive, despite terrible persecution. In 150 A.D., Justin
Martyr said, "The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the
church." The Roman Empire was filled with empty sinners,
burned out and weary of sin's futility, who saw the calm serenity
and triumphant peace that Christians had in bravely facing persecution
and death. They were attracted to this grace that supernaturally
helped them rise above crushing opposition. They would ask, "What
is this hope you have?" (1 Peter 3:15).
In this fallen world, the destiny of precious souls is at stake.
By exhibiting Christ-like "grace under fire," we can
make a difference in the life of a lost soul by helping them discover
the life-changing power of Christ and receive a "visitation"
of salvation (1 Pet 2:21). The world is watching us. The lost
might be more interested if we were more interesting. The "God
of grace" has the power, if we will have the faith to accept
it (1 Pet 1:5, 5:10).
Five Ways to Make a Happy Home by Paul Bailey (Selected from The Beacon.)
1. Make God a part of it. After all, He originated it
and He deserves a place in it. Remind yourselves - He is there
with you at all times. Let the thought of Him influence your treatment
of each other and shape your family's priorities.
2. Love your mate. And tell it! It is reassuring to even
the very best relationships to know there's love in it. Learn
to express your affection. Spend time together and keep your relationship
strong.
3. Listen to your children. I mean really listen. Sit down
with them periodically and let them say what's on their mind.
All of us like to be heard occasionally. Let each child know they
are special.
4. Plan at least one meal each day with the whole family.
No TV or radio. Give thanks to God, enjoy your meal and talk with
each other about your day. Smile and laugh together.
5. Make every day count. Having everybody at home won't
last long, and it deserves the best treatment you can give it
while it does last. Strive to enjoy every day with your family
while you are together. Make memories you can treasure for a lifetime.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Our weekly services are held at 1318 Griffin Road, Leesburg, Florida
34748.
Phone: (352) 365-9946 for times of services.
Web site: http://www.careydillinger.com/cocbs/cocbshp.htm
GOSPEL MEETING - We are pleased to announce that Jere E. Frost will be preaching for us the week of February 16-21, all services on Sunday and at 7:30 PM each weekday evening.
MONTHLY BIBLE READING: 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS
BIBLE INSIGHT is published
for the members of, and visitors to, the Church of Christ at Beverly
Shores, Leesburg, Florida, USA.
Carey Dillinger is the editor. He can be reached at the church
address or via e-mail: dillinc@yahoo.com