Series- 8 Major World Religions: Islam

Islam: The Way of Submission

The Islamic faith is front and center on the world stage today. Many views of Islam held by Americans (as well as Christians worldwide) are based in misconception. We discussed merely an overview of the world's second largest religion and then concluded with the Muslim view of Jesus in relation to their faith.

Muslims reject the deity of Muhammad as blasphemy.

The Koran when read aloud in Arabic takes on an almost musical feel in flow and rhythm. Chanting of the Koran is often done during prayer and worship, but Muslims feel strongly it should always be done in the original language of Muhammad.

Muslims in the World

Indonesia, the fourth largest country by population, has the most Muslims as a nation. By far, the largest concentration of Muslims are located in the Middle East and Northern Africa.

Sunni and Shia

The two major factions of Islam, Sunni's and Shi'as, split shortly after the death of Muhammad due to the influence of Ali. Sunni's hold a traditional view of Islam and Islamic law while Shi'as believe Islamic law should be administered through a single entity called an Imam whom they believe is divinely placed by God.

Muhammad al-Mahdi is believed by Shi'as to be the current and last of the Twelve Imams and the promised Mahdi, a messianic figure who will return with Jesus. He was born in 869 and has not died but been hidden by God. His existence is denied by Sunnis entirely.

Until the return of the Mahdi, the Guardianship of the Islamic Jurists is conducted by the Supreme Leader (currently only in Iran) addressed as Ayatollah. The Current Supreme leader in Shia majority Iran is the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Other Shia majority countries are Iraq, Azerbaijan and Bahrain.

Five Pillars of Islam



The Shahadah is the basic creed of Islam and must be recited under oath with the specific statement: I testify that there is none worthy of worship except God, and I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of God.

Ritual prayers, called Salah or Salat, must be performed five times a day. Salah is intended to focus the mind on God. Prayers are recited in the Arabic language and consist of verses from the Koran.

Fasting from food, drink and 'relations' must be performed during the month of Ramadhan from dawn until dusk each day. The fast is to encourage closeness to God and Muslims are to express gratitude for Him as well as atone for past sins.

A pilgrimage is required of all able Muslims to Mecca at least once. While Muslims deny Muhammad is deity, a lot of tradition and ritual is centered around and focused on the man.

Muhammad supposedly received the contents of the Koran through angelic revelations from 610 AD until his death in 632 AD. Since he was illiterate, the verses were transcribed over time by friends and family.

The non-Muslim view of Muhammad has been mixed at best. Medieval Christians believed he was the anti-Christ of Revelations and commonly marked the date of his death in 666 instead of 632. Muhammad is mentioned in the hugely influential 14th century poem of Dante called Divine Comedy where Muhammad is represented by a character in purgatory split in half (representative of the schism believed by many of Islam branching from Christianity).

Women in Islam

The Hijab is required by law for women in Iran and Saudi Arabia but banned in the countries of France and Turkey.

Women are considered equal and accountable to God in religious matters but treated as property in all other aspects. Marriage is strictly a civil union or contract and does not contain a pious element outside of Islamic Law (see next slide).

Another major difference between Christianity and Islam. The concept of separating God from state is completely foreign to Islamic culture. God is the ultimate and supreme law over all aspects of life including civic governments, in contrast to Christianity (see Romans 13:1-7 and Matthew 15:15-22).

Promotes laws being passed that ban or forbid other religions besides Islam under punishment by civil authorities.

Islamic view of Jesus

While Jesus is an important figure in Islam, He is not considered deity. Only one in a line of  prophets. Muslims believe God took Jesus away right as the Romans were crucifying Him.

Verses from the Koran on Jesus:

Series- 8 Major World Religions: What you should know and why it's important.

Most scholars and theologians classify and list the major world religions as: Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism and Buddhism. For the sake of our study, we will expand that list to 8 major religions because Christians are likely to come into contact with each . To sum up the primary factor for each, I've associated a word or two along with the religion:

This list comprises the stated (and sometimes assumed) faiths of over 6 billion people on the planet.

As pointed out in class (thanks Josh Cline), that leaves out almost a billion people from the current world population of roughly 7 billion souls (see World Population Clock here). They would fall in an assortment of various smaller religious groups and, by in large, a non-religious category (atheist, agnostics, etc.).

Taoism is predominately a faction of either Confucianism or Buddhism, but there are significant enough differences to warrant a separate look from the two.

While Christianity is the largest world religion by sheer numbers, the classification is very liberal and includes Protestants, Catholics and Lutherans, as well as, the faiths of Mormons and the Jehovah Witness (just to name a few). Basically, any religion that centers around Jesus is included.


Why Does Religion Matter? 

For Christians, religion is just merely the practice of our faith which we hold to matter on an eternal scale. But religion doesn't exist in the abstract and has been the single most dominate force in the world since humans were created.

While sociologist and academics have predicted the decline of religion as nations have become modernized and industrialized, statistics show a different story. With the exception of some Western Europe countries (England, Germany and France) the rest of the world is drastically religious.

During the 1960's and the secularist movement in our own country, major publications such as Time Magazine and the New York Daily Times published articles claiming the belief in God was in major decline in our country. Yet, recent surveys by the USA Today and Pew Research show that 85% or more of Americans claim to believe in God (or a Higher Power). In a 2008 Gallop poll on religious attitudes toward presidential candidates, just over 50% of respondents replied under no circumstance would they vote for a well-qualified candidate who claimed to be an atheist (as a comparison, gay 37% and Muslim 38%). Over half!  God is far from dead in our country.


Why should Christians care about other religions? 

I don't by any means advocate for all Christians to become intimately knowledgeable about the finer points of other religions. There's just too much work to be done in our own faith! World religions are a subject matter of personal interest that were a byproduct of straying from the Christian path at one point in my own past. But I do feel it is important to have a working knowledge of other religions, since 2/3 of the world population aren't Christians, and we are called to reach them for Christ.

There are three major reasons, in my opinion, why Christians should at least be familiar with other world religions that I've categorized as: Inward, Outward and Upward. The list is by no means inclusive. I've also listed which of the Five Purposes from the Identity 1-1-1 Series that can be associated with each category.

1. Inward- As we study other religions, we inevitably compare our beliefs to those of others which drives us to think through theological issues we might not have examined otherwise. I believe this helps the Christian not only better understand their own faith but also better appreciate the subtleties and even beauty of biblical teaching.

As Christians see the deep devotion required in some other faiths, it becomes only natural to reexamine one's own commitment to God and should spark a desire for a closer relationship with Him. 

Grow and Worship

2. Outward- While it's only human nature to find it difficult to love those different from us, Jesus didn't add a disclaimer to His commandment for us to love our neighbors *but only if they are like us. While that may look funny written on the page, most Christians act as if those were the actual words of Christ! When humans encounter something (or someone) different from our personal perspective of "normal", we either fear that difference (usually out of ignorance) or become condescending (definitely out of ignorance). Either attitude leads to a dehumanizing effect which in turn creates a strong distinction between us and them. Not very Christ-like.

By having a better understanding of what is, in all likelihood, the most dominating factor in another person's life, Christians will find compassion comes easier for those not of our faith. From that compassion will develop love for others and the clarity that all of mankind was created in God's image, and His grace is extended to everyone including the Muslim, the Buddhist and even the atheist. At this point, the Christian becomes much better equipped to communicate the Gospel with others. With a working knowledge of other religions, a spiritual conversation about the Gospel with a Hindu would be different from that with a Muslim. Different and more effective when presented with more clarity. While it's true the message is very much the same, the method is more adept for the listening party.

Share and Serve

3. Upward- If you believe all things have a purpose according to God's plan, there should be greater value placed on understanding the world we live in today. God works throughout the entire world and expects us to be prepared, if called, to do the same. By trying to better understand the world God works in today, we grow in our appreciation for His greatness. Ultimately, we grow closer to Him.   

Worship

Next Week: Islam

IDENTITY 1-1-1 February 20, 2011 (Week 6- SHARE)

Keys to the Abundant Live

Sharing the Good News

First Free Will Baptist Church, Church Hill, TN

February 20th, 2011

Jesus: “As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.”
                                                                                         John 17:18 (NKJV)

“… As the Father has sent Me, I also send you." John 20:21 (NKJV)

“The most important thing is that I complete my mission, the work that the Lord Jesus gave me – to
tell people the Good News about God's grace.” Acts 20:24 (NCV)


My 5th Purpose is to SHARE THE GOOD NEWS

“Evangelism”

“… you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the
Earth." Acts 1:8 (NKJV)

“Jerusalem” = the people closest to me

“Judea/Samaria” = people near but different from me

“Ends of the earth” = everybody else!

“This agrees with the purpose God had since the beginning of time, and He carried out His plan
through Christ Jesus our Lord.” Ephesians 3:11 (NCV)

Completing My Mission

1. I must share WITH THOSE IN my world.

“'Go back home and tell people how much God has done for you.’ So the man went all over town
telling how much Jesus had done for him.” Luke 8:39 (NCV)

“Always be ready to answer everyone who asks you to explain about the hope that you have”
    1 Peter 3:15 (NCV)

“...God does not want anyone to be lost, but he wants all people to change their hearts and lives!”
        2 Peter 3:9 (NCV)


2. I must dare TO REACH BEYOND my world.

“I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.”
1 Corinthians 9:22b (NKJV)

“Religion that God accepts as pure and without fault is this: caring for orphans or widows who need help…   James 1:27 (NCV)

“for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and
you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and
you came to Me.” Matthew 25:35-36 (NKJV)

Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, all those who have left houses, brothers, sisters, mother, father,
children, or farms for Me and for the Good News will get more than they left. Here in this world they
will have a hundred times more homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and fields."
    Mark 10:29 (NCV)


3. I must care ABOUT THE WHOLE world.


Jesus said to his followers, "Go everywhere in the world, and tell the Good News to everyone.”    
     Mark 16:15 (NCV)

“Those who want to save their lives will give up true life. But those who give up their lives for Me and for the Good News will have true life.” Mark 8:35 (NCV)

“David did God’s will during his lifetime...” Acts 13:36a (NCV)

“That Your way may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations.”  Psalm 67:2 (NKJV)

IDENTITY 1-1-1 February 13, 2011 (Week 5- SERVE)

Keys to the Abundant Life

Serving God by Serving Others

First Free Will Baptist Church, Church Hill, TN

February 13th, 2011

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV)

“Your hands shaped and made me.” Job 10:8a (NCV)

“Each of you has received a gift to use to serve others. Be good servants of God’s various gifts of grace.” 1 Peter 4:10 (NCV)

My 4th purpose is to SERVE GOD BY SERVING OTHERS


We are all called to “Ministry”

Jesus: “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve…” Matthew 20:28 (NKJV)

Learning to Serve Like Jesus


1. Serving like Jesus means being AVAILABLE

“Two blind men... cried out, saying, ‘Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!’ ... Jesus
stood still and called them, and said, ‘What do you want Me to do for you?”  Matthew 20:30-32 (NKJV)

“If you have what your neighbor asks for, don’t say, “Come back later. I will give it to you
tomorrow.” Proverbs 3:28 (NCV)

1st Barrier: SELF-CENTEREDNESS

“Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of
others.” Philippians 2:4 (NKJV)

2nd Barrier: PERFECTIONISM

“Those who wait for perfect weather will never plant seeds; those who look at every
cloud will never harvest crops” Ecclesiastes 11:4 (NCV)

3rd Barrier: MATERIALISM

“No servant can serve two masters... You cannot serve both God and mammon."  Luke 16:13 (NKJV)

2. Serving like Jesus means being GRATEFUL

“… Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, ‘Father, I thank you that you have heard Me. And I
know that you always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by..."  John 11:41-42 (NKJV)

“Serve the Lord with gladness.” Psalm 100:2a (NKJV)

“… according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not
according to our works, but according to His own purpose…”  2 Timothy 1:8-9 (NKJV)

1st Barrier: COMPARING AND CRITICIZING

“You cannot judge another person’s servant. The master decides if the servant is doing
well or not…” Romans 14:4 (NCV)

2nd Barrier: WRONG MOTIVATIONS

“Be careful! When you do good things, don’t do them in front of people to be seen by
them. If you do that, you will have no reward from your father in heaven” Matthew 6:1 (NCV)

3. Serving like Jesus means being FAITHFUL

“I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work that You gave Me to do.” John 17:4 (NKJV)

“Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.” 1 Corinthians 4:2 (NKJV)

“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those
things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press
toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 3:13-14 (NKJV)

“God is fair; He will not forget the work you did and the love you showed for Him by helping
His people… “ Hebrews 6:10 (NCV)

"…Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you
ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord."  Matthew 25:21 (NKJV)

IDENTITY 1-1-1 January 30, 2011 (Week 4- GROW)

Keys to the Abundant Life

Becoming Like Christ

First Free Will Baptist Church – Church Hill, TN

January 30th, 2011

“speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head –Christ--”
Ephesians 4:15 (NKJV)

My 3rd purpose in life is to GROW to become like Christ

“Discipleship”

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are


called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NKJV)

Three Unexpected Tools

1. God uses TROUBLE to teach us to TRUST HIM.

"...troubles produce patience. And patience produces character, and character produces
hope.” Romans 5:3-4 (NCV)

“They came to a place which was called Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, ‘Sit here
while I pray.’ ... He began to be troubled and deeply distressed. Then He said to them, 'My
soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death."  Mark 14:32-34 (NKJV)

"Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not
what I will, but what You will.” Mark 14:36 (NKJV)

• Remember the reward

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and
eternal weight of glory” 2 Corinthians 4:17 (NKJV)

2. God allows TEMPTATION to teach us to OBEY.



“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.”
     Matthew 4:1 (NKJV)

"Then Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan!’ For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord
your God, and Him only you shall serve” Matthew 4:10 (NKJV)

• Keep focused on good thoughts

“…think about the things that are good and worthy of praise.”  Philippians 4:8a (NCV)


• Get a spiritual partner


“Two people are better than one…… If one falls down, the other can help him up….”
          Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NCV)

3. God uses TRESPASSES to teach us to FORGIVE.



“People walked by and insulted Jesus and shook their heads….the Jewish elders were also
making fun of Jesus…the robbers who were being crucified beside Jesus also insulted Him.”
   Matthew 27:39-44 (NCV)

“Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do" Luke 23:34 (NKJV)


• Remember God has forgiven me



“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ
forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 (NKJV)


• Remember God is in control


“You meant to hurt me, but God turned your evil into good to save the lives of many people,
which is being done.” Genesis 50:20 (NCV)

“In your lives you must think and act like Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 2:5 (NCV)