The Following Pages Were Presented at the Building Bridges with Muslims Event Spon- Sored by Tabernacle EPC in October of 2016
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Building Bridges The following pages were presented at the Building Bridges with Muslims event spon- sored by Tabernacle EPC in October of 2016. Rev Mark Vanderput (iLoveMuslims.net) was the presenter. Mark is also one of our EPC World Outreach Missionaries. These have been made available to NCECP with Mark’s permission. “ISLAM, JESUS, AND YOU” INTRODUCTION Which word(s) best describes your reaction to the words “Muslim” or “Islam”: curiosity, fear, anger, or indifference? What are three adjectives you would use to describe Muslims? What core beliefs/religious practices do you associate with them? Have you made attempts to discuss faith issues with Muslims in your neighborhood, workplace, or school? Describe your experiences. “Islam” is Arabic for “surrender” or “submission,” and a Muslim is a “surrendered one”. I. ISLAM: THE ORIGINS THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD/THE QUR’AN - Muhammad was born in A.D. 570 into a family believed to be descended from Abraham’s son, Ishmael. His father died before his birth, his mother died when he was 6. He was appalled at the idol worship of his day. In a time of meditation in a cave outside Mecca, Muslims believe he was visited by the angel Gabriel and that from there until the end of his life in 632, he received revelations which were compiled into the “Qur’an.” The Qur’an is 114 chapters (suras) and is considered the last, infallible witness of Allah — an exact word-for-word copy of God’s final revelation. MUHAMMAD’S REACTIONS TO THE REVELATIONS AND VISIT WITH A “CHRISTIAN” – When Muhammad received revelations from the “angel,” he had numerous negative reactions: panic, terror; sweating profusely; ringing in the ears; foaming at the mouth; trembling; loss of consciousness or fainting; bewilderment - fear that he was possessed by a demon or going mad; suicidal depression. Because of the confusion and intensity of these revelations, Muhammad’s first wife, Khadija, took him to a “Christian” relative of hers - Waraqah bin Nawfal (he was probably part of a sect outside of true, biblical Christianity). Sadly, this man apparently acknowledged Muhammad’s calling as a prophet to be authentic and. history was changed . What if Waraqah had cited Galatians 1:8 and 2 Corinthians 11:14 to Muhammad and Khadija?! MUHAMMAD’S PREACHING, FLIGHT, FIGHT – Originally, Muhammad publicly preached a message of one God, a stop to idol worship in Mecca, and a coming day of God’s judgment (in Mecca, he was a “warner”). Most did not listen and Muhammad and his followers were forced to flee from Mecca to Medina (200 miles north). During his time in Medina, he became a strong political and military leader, winning numerous military battles (in Medina, he was a “warrior”). Muhammad later returned to Mecca and two years after his death, all of Arabia was Islamic. 2 MUHAMMADS? 2 QUR’ANS? 2 MUSLIMS? – Some believe that in the beginning, Muhammad was a sincere seeker of truth and that the revelations he received in Mecca became the more peaceful verses of the Qur’an. When he fled persecution in Mecca and lived in Medina, the revelations he received became more and more violent and were reflected in the Qur’an. When one looks at Islam and Muslims in the world today, you have peaceful Muslims who live their lives according to the early, peaceful Muhammad and the more peaceful parts of the Qur’an. You also have violent Muslims who live their lives according to the later warrior Muhammad and the violent verses of the Qur’an. Of course, there was only 1 Muhammad and only 1 Qur’an. The point here is that Muslims vary as to which part of Muhammad’s life they will emulate and which part of the Qur’an they will follow. This is heavily influenced by: their spiritual leaders (imams, mullahs), their family, their tribe, etc. (While there are extremists, most Muslims in the world - just like you - want to live a quiet, peaceful life. They are generally a warm, hospitable, people.) AFTER MUHAMMAD’S DEATH - A difference arose over who would lead Islam: most believed it should be Abu-Bakr, one of the first converts. Others believed Ali, Muhammad’s son-in-law and cousin, should be the successor. Ali’s followers became known as Shiites and Abu-Bakr’s followers became known as Sunnis (85% or more of Muslims in the world today). By the end of its first century, Islam stretched from the western borders of China to the southern borders of France. Northern Africa became Muslim as well. II. ISLAM: PRACTICES & BELIEFS A. THE “FIVE PILLARS” 1. Shahadah (the profession of faith) - “There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is His Prophet.” Most frequently repeated sentence in the life of a Muslim: spoken daily in prayers, first thing spoken into the ear of a newborn baby, at weddings, and if possible the last thing heard and spoken at death. 2. Salat (prayer) - prescribed prayers said five times a day facing Mecca; special prayers are said on Fridays at noon in the mosque; the call to prayer can be heard from minarets, TV, and radio and is always in Arabic. B-4 prayer, Muslims must ritually cleanse certain parts of their bodies with water. 3. Zakat (almsgiving) - middle and upper class Sunni Muslims are expected to give 2 1/2%. 4. Sawm (fasting) - during the month of Ramadan, no food or drink from dawn until dusk; three day celebration (Eid) at end with singing, dancing, visiting, gift-giving, fireworks. 5. Hajj (pilgrimage) - if physically or financially possible, a visit to Mecca is expected at least once in life; circling the Ka’aba; reenactment of Muhammad’s flight from Mecca to Medina; “stoning” Satan. B. BELIEFS ABOUT GOD AS FATHER/TRINITY & DEITY OF JESUS IN THE QUR’AN “The Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, was only a messenger of Allah, and His word which He conveyed unto Mary, and a spirit from Him. So believe in Allah and His messengers, and say not "Three" - Cease! (it is) better for you! - Allah is only One Allah. Far is it removed from His Transcendent Majesty that He should have a son” (Sura 4:171, cf.5:73). “The Christians say: The Messiah is the son of Allah; these are the words of their mouths. may Allah destroy them" (Sura 9:29-30). Bible answer: 1 John 5:11-12. “The Messiah, Jesus the son of Mary, was no more than God’s apostle” (Sura 4). Bible: 1 John 4:15. “They do blaspheme who say: "Allah is Christ the son of Mary” (Sura 5:72, 5:17). Bible: John 1:1. “They did not kill him, nor did they crucify him , though it was made to appear like that to them” (Sura 4:155-158). Bible answer: John 20:24-31). C. BELIEFS ABOUT OBTAINING SALVATION IN THE QUR’AN Islam Is The True Religion - “If anyone desires a religion other than Islam, never will it be accepted of him; and in the hereafter he will be in the ranks of those who have lost” (Qu’ran 3:85). Bible answer: John 3:16; John 14:6; 1 John 4:1. The Scales - At the Last Judgment, Allah will determine one's eternal destiny as He places one's good and evil works on the divine scale: "Then those whose scales are heavy [with good deeds], they are the successful. And those whose scales are light are those who lose their souls, in hell abiding" (Sura 23:102,103). Bible answer: Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:4-7. The Angels - It is believed that an angel on a Muslim’s right shoulder records good deeds and an angel on their left shoulder records bad deeds. Bible answer: Revelation 20:12-15. The Uncertainty - There is no guarantee of Paradise for Muslims. They can never be sure of their destiny. Good works can only give one hope for heaven . A devout Muslim would not rely on good works alone because doing so would presume upon the sovereignty of Allah. Muhammad himself questioned his own salvation: “I do not know what Allah will do to me” (Hadith 5.266)! Muslims can only say, “If God wills. .” Bible answer: 1 John 5:13. D. SIMILAR BELIEFS ABOUT JESUS IN ISLAM – USE THEM TO “BUILD BRIDGES” 1. Virgin Birth & Messiah – The Qur’an, Sura 3:38-48; 19:16-22 2. Performed Miracles & Healings – The Qur’an, Sura 3:49 3. Lived A Sinless Life - The Qur’an, Sura 19:19 4. Death (future) & Resurrection (future) - The Qur’an, Sura 3:55; 5:117; 19:30-35 5. Will Come Again & Will Judge - The Qur’an, Sura 43:61 CONCLUSION: ISLAM, JESUS AND YOU There are 1.4 to 1.5 billion Muslims in the world — 1 in 4 persons! There are 4-6 million Muslims in the U.S. and thousands of mosques. God has brought them to us (Acts 17:26-27). What will we do? Will we put aside stereotypes, fear, prejudice, and anger? Will we build bridges or walls? Will we be like Jonah – run, hi de, hate? Or. .will we be like Jesus – seek and save what is lost? Will we obey Jesus’ commands to love our neighbors, be peacemakers, and make disciples? “BUILDING BRIDGES OF FRIENDSHIP WITH YOUR MUSLIM FRIEND” I. PRACTICE CULTURAL AWARENESS (adapted from Ed Hoskins, A Muslim’s Heart ) Relationships & Hospitality - Essential! People are more important than events Generosity - If you visit, be careful of what you admire. It might be given to you! Family - Emphasis on the extended family vs.