Summer 2016 Messenger

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Sum mer 2016

understanding the Challenge of Islam

by Dr. Pat Delaney

Missionaries are increasingly encountering Muslims in Europe and other traditionally non-Muslim areas. American churches also face the challenge of reaching ever-greater Muslim populations within their own communities. For this reason, we are devoting this issue of The Messenger to the challenge of Islam. Dr. Pat Delaney, BWM Field Administrator for Asia, spent years ministering under the shadow of Islam. He recently developed a two-part primer on Islam, which has been extremely well received in churches. This feature article is an edited condensation of his presentation.

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gnorance regarding the basics of Islam is not bliss. While driving to work one day, I asked my “carpool brother,” Dr. Kevin Brosnan, “Do you believe all Muslims are terrorists?” That provided much lively discussion for the next 30 minutes! Why should the subject of Islam demand our attention? A USA Today online article dated April 2, 2015, stated, “Muslims will outnumber Christians by 2070, ending two millenniums of Christian dominance going back to the birth of Jesus Christ, according to the Pew Research Foundation.” In light of the spread of Islam, it behooves Christians to move beyond ignorance. The Five Pillars are the essential, non-negotiable and obligatory tenets for every Muslim. First is the creed or Shahadah—“There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is Allah’s Prophet.” This is the defining statement of Islam, distinguishing believer from infidel. It is the first word spoken to an infant and the final word whispered in the ear of the dying. One can convert to Islam simply by believing and reciting the Shahadah in front of witnesses. The other four pillars are daily prayers, alms giving (Zakat), fasting (Saum) and the pilgrimage to Mecca (Haji). Muslim prayers are ritualistic recitations from the Qur’an in the Arabic language. The fast during the 28 days of Ramadan requires abstinence during the daylight hours from eating, drinking, smoking and sex. “The LORD our God is one LORD” (Deuteronomy 6:4-6). This is an exclusive claim to Yahweh’s uniqueness as the

one true God. This matter of exclusivity extends to Jesus Christ (John 14:6). But Muhammad was a sinner (Suras 40:55) who cut off people’s limbs, burned out their eyes and made them die of thirst. He was the tyrant of Medina. In his book From Jihad to Jesus, Jerry Rassamni asks, “If Islam’s prophet, who is purported to be the model of purity for Muslims, was not in a perfect state of perfection, then what hope do other Muslims have in achieving the stage of perfection?” In stark contrast stands the sinless substitutionary life of Jesus Christ (1 John 3:5; 1 Peter 2:21-24). Other comparisons include the marked difference between Islam’s ritualistic prayers and the personal communion between God and the Christian believer in prayer. In contrast to Muslim alms, New Testament giving is a matter of grace. Jesus commanded us to hide our fasting, which facilitates intimacy with God, revival, victory and prayer. Life itself is the true Christian’s pilgrimage, for he seeks a heavenly city (Hebrews 11:10, 16). Islam means surrender, and a Muslim is one who surrenders himself to Allah. Muhammad claimed the angel Gabriel dictated revelations to him that became the Qur’an, Islam’s most holy book. When Mecca rejected Muhammad’s revelations, he fled to Medina in A.D. 622. This is called the Hijrah, and it is the beginning of the Muslim calendar. Muslims believe in four holy books—the Torat (Pentateuch), Jabur (Psalms), Injil (Jesus’ good news) and Muhammad’s Qur’an, which supersedes all other revelations. The Qur’an contradicts the Bible. Notable examples include: 1) Noah had a fourth son, 2) Abraham offered Ishmael rather than Isaac and 3) Mary, the mother of Jesus, was the sister of Moses and gave birth to Jesus under a palm tree. The Qur’an contains no gospel of love and grace, but teaches that Allah only loves the “doers of good” (Sura 2:195; 5:13; 5:93). Allah commands his people not to show love to their enemies (Sura 60:1). The enemy is not Muslim people, but a deceptive false religion. Reaching Muslims with the Gospel is extremely Continued on page 3

In This Issue

2 Highlights from the Highways & Hedges New Appointees

3 Mission Matters: The Empty SelfSufficiency of Religion Understanding the Challenge of Islam (cont.) Ready to Go/Gone

4 Itineraries Israel Trip


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