HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH EZINE

It is amazing that a little over a year ago, the religion of Islam was known only vaguely by most Americans. Very much like most of us are aware of the Hindu religion, Buddhist religion, Shinto religion, etc. Much has been said and many have read a great deal about them since 9-11-01, but I fear that the real teachings and feelings of the followers of Mohammad are yet only vaguely known and understood.

I hope that all members of the Lord's church will familiarize themselves with the Qu'ran and what it teaches. It is not a book with a story to tell or a history, etc. but is nothing but a vast accumulation of short sayings by Muhammad which make little sense but never the less, shows resentment and hatred towards all who believe anything other than Islam. He was, himself, a prejudiced and resentful person towards Jews and Christians.

As I have said before, those Muslems who profess that they are friends of, and tolerant of people not of the Islam religion, are either lying or they are very poor followers of their faith. You cannot be a truly devout follower of Muhammad and be tolerant of those outside that religion. It is the most intolerant of all the religions that I am aware of. Until the Western world recognizes that fact, Muslems will have the upper hand in conducting terrorism and spreading anti-American feelings.

I hope that you will all visit and study the sites I have linked below. If you do not have the time now, save the URLs and study them when you do have time. God's children must speak out on this imminent danger to the world and to His church.

Twelve centuries ago a religious movement thundered out of the Arabian Desert forever changing the course of human history. It's fiery leader, Mohammed, and his people, Muslims, now intrude into American religious life in an unprecedented way. The challenge they pose to New Testament Christianity is very real. Any sort of realistic defense that would be made against Islamic teaching must be based on an understanding of basic Islamic beliefs. This article will explore the fundamental tenets of the Muslim religion and their implications to Christianity.

Muslims are taught to practice their religion via the five "pillars" of Islam. These five pillars provide an excellent place to begin studying Islam. The first pillar is the reciting of the creed "There is no god but the One God, and Muhammad is his prophet." Muslims repeat this many times every day, believing that saying this in faith and sincerity is what makes one a Muslim. The second pillar is daily prayer. Muslims must pray five times each day, facing Mecca, the holy city in Saudi Arabia. The third pillar is the giving of alms. Muslims are very concerned about caring for the poor. Set percentages of income are given to aid the impoverished. The fourth pillar is fasting during the holy month of Ramadan. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim year and commemorates the giving of the Quran to Mohammed. All faithful Muslims fast from dawn to dusk during this month. Because Islam uses a lunar calendar, Ramadan comes at different times each year. The final pillar is the pilgrimage to Mecca. Every adult Muslim who is financially and physically able is expected to travel to Mecca once in his or her lifetime in the month of Dhul-Hijah. Various rituals and rites are performed during the time in Mecca.

Having examined the five pillars of Islam I believe we can distill Islam down to three foundational beliefs. First, at the core of everything Muslim is the idea of only one God. This is reflected in the first pillar, but also in everything else that Islam is and stands for. To the Muslim, God is One sovereign, all-mighty and unique Being. In Islam man is not to know God and become more like Him, but to learn God's will and become more obedient to His commands. To associate anything or anyone with Allah is incomprehensible to a Muslim and constitutes blasphemy. God is absolutely alone in the place given to Him by Islam. The Quran says "He is God; there is no god but he. He is the Knower of the unseen and the visible; He is the All-merciful, the All compassionate. He is God. There is no God but He. He is the King, the All-holy, the All-peace, the Guardian of Faith, the All-preserver, the All-mighty, the All-compeller, the All-sublime. Glory be to God . . . He is God the Creator, the Maker, the Shaper. To Him belong the Names Most Beautiful. All that is in the heavens and the earth magnifies Him; He is the All-mighty, the All-wise." (59:22, all quotations from Pickthall's translation of the Quran).

Second, almost important as the idea of one God, is the concept of Mohammed being Allah's prophet. Muslims do not worship Mohammed (that is for Allah alone) but they do so reverence, glorify, and adore him that one might imagine he was deity. Muslim literature overflows with great tales of Mohammed. He is said to be a religious teacher, social reformer, tremendous administrator, military genius, perfect husband and father, and faithful friend. One Muslim writes "No other man in history ever excelled or equaled him in any of these different aspects of life." An unbiased examination of history will quickly find that Mohammed was not nearly as perfect or brilliant as Muslims want to believe. He sanctioned polygamy, ruthlessly exterminated his enemies, changed "divine law" whenever it suited him (2:217; 66:2) and took to himself privileges no other Muslim could have (33:50). He appears to have been little more than a very ambitious chieftain who founded a religion because he needed something to weld together various warring Arab tribes so he could fight against the Jews and Christians. His success is undeniable. His greatness is, to say the least, subject to debate.

Third, and tightly linked with the other two core beliefs, is the idea that the Quran is the absolute word of God. Muslims believe the Quran was given via the angel Gabriel to Mohammed when he was about forty years old. Supposedly Mohammed memorized it and dictated it to his companions who then wrote it down. Actually the Quran was collected from various writings after Mohammed had died. Nevertheless, the Quran is accepted as the last revealed word from God, and it supplants and supersedes every other prior revelation of God (i.e., the Bible). Muslims are taught that not one word of its 114 chapters have been changed in any way at all. This is, of course, not true. Islam does not even possess the original Quran. The oldest existing Quran is dated about 200 years after Mohammed. There are different early codexes of the Quran in existence that contain textual variants. The Quran itself contains contradictions (compare 7:54 and 32:4 to 41:9-12) and evidence of a progressively changing theology (see 2:106 and 9:54). Muslims will, however, vehemently deny that there are any problems of any kind with the Quran.

What are the ramifications of Islamic beliefs for Christians? First, if Allah is one then Jesus is not deity. The Quran contains several passages that are very explicit in stating that Jesus is certainly not God. "People of the Book, go not beyond the bounds in your religion, and say not as to God but the truth. The Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, was only the Messenger of God . . . So believe in God and His Messengers, and say not, 'Three.' Refrain: better is it for you. God is only one God. Glory be to Him - He is above having a son" (4:171). Muslims believe Jesus was only a prophet of God (and a prophet not as great as Mohammed at that). He was not crucified, nor did He arise from the dead. Muslims love to quote from liberal Bible scholars who deny Jesus' deity, miracles, and the Bible's inspiration and integrity. These only reinforce the Muslim idea that Jesus is not God. Second, faith in the Quran means the Bible is insufficient, flawed and inaccurate. All Bible statements that contradict Islamic teaching or teach that Jesus is divine are either explained away or said to represent "corruption" in the Bible. Muslims claim to believe the Bible but they really don't, and usually know very little about it. It does not seem to faze or bother Muslims to believe that God allowed His word to be changed and altered. Further, they will not concede that if God allowed that to happen to the Bible logically the same could happen to the Quran. In fact, following this premise consistently would lead us all to be Mormons --- after all they have an even latter-day revelation!

So one can see that Islam and Christianity are forever set against each other as mortal enemies. Mohammed would destroy faith in our Savior and the Book that tells us of Him. Surely we must answer the rising threat of Islam or see many forfeit their souls in this false religion. It seems to me that dialogue with Muslims must begin by establishing the Bible's inspiration, reliability and veracity. Like all groups that accept and are guided by additional "revelation" no progress can be made until genuine faith in the Bible is established. It is not too difficult to show Muslims they should trust the Bible. Their Quran teaches Jesus was a prophet who should be believed (4:171; 5:78). Mohammed claimed his revelations could be verified by New Testament teachings (10:95). The New Testament of 700 AD (Mohammed's time) is the same as today (in fact, we have manuscripts that go back even further). If Mohammed was satisfied with the New Testament of his day Muslims should be too. It is the same book! Further, the Quran teaches that the Bible is the "word of Allah" (6:115-116) and "there is no changing the Words of Allah" (10:65). What Muslim can then believe the Bible was corrupted and changed? Other evidences for the Bible truthfulness, particularly manuscript evidence, can easily be had from any good handbook on apologetics. Gather this kind of material and prepare yourself to establish the Bible as God's only Word. Only in this way can we turn so many zealous followers of a deluded man into followers of the Christ of God.

Reprinted from the Sermon Archives List maintained by Jerry Prince of the Marshall, Arkansas church of Christ.

Chula Vista Books is owned and operated by Mark and Teah McWhorter. We carry a wide selection of Bible related materials--ladies' books, childrens' materials, commentaries, apologetics, lectureship books, missions books, class books, debates, sermon books, church history, topical studies, Bible covers, Bibles, tracts, BCCs and more.

We also send out used book lists from time to time. Unfortunately we do not have a catalog at present but invite your inquiries. If you would like to be on our mailing list, send us your email address.

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Does your congregation have a web site? Can you add, update and delete information from your existing web site easily? If you answered no to either question visit The Lord's Way. This new service allows you to create a web site for your congregation and update it yourself whenever you want by simply completing online forms. The service is designed for any congregation that wants a web site that contains current, updated and fresh information but does not want to invest the time and money in learning about the inner-workings of the Internet. Your new site will be packed with information about your congregation. Visit us and take a tour!

Most of you are aware of the fact that, a few months ago, Franklin Graham (heir apparent to the Billy Graham dynasty) spoke out harshly and critically of the Islam religion, calling it "an evil religion" among other things. This gave me a little respect for the fellow. However, he shortly thereafter offered a very slight apology, which removed part of the respect I had gained for him. I will admit, however, he did not retract what he said, only saying that it was inappropriate to have said them, or something similar to that.

Now, I see on the news where several of the TV Evangelists, including Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell and another or two, have spoken out similarly to that of Franklin Graham, condemning the doctrines of Mohammad. At least one of them has also backed off his original criticism a little. I am somewhat surprised to hear these people, who are obviously only out to fleece money from their listeners, criticize other religions. They normally shy away from anything that would alienate any of their viewers. But to their credit, it shows that they do read a little and have become aware of the danger this religion poses.

One of the most informative items I have found and read is a 21 page PDF document posted by the Lutheran Church. It offers a very extensive look at the history and current status of Islam. It is long and takes some time but is valuable reading if you are interested. Go to: The Menace of Islam-It's Theology and Practice by Daniel M. Schmeling.

All of God's children need to pray earnestly for the Muslim world that they may come to their senses and hear the true words of God. I might be slightly pessimistic, but I'm not sure we can overcome this world crisis without massive help from God. He is able if we can enlist His intervention.

The theme for SELTC 2003 is "Go!" Based on the book of Matthew, this year's study challenges each of us to allow God to rule in every area of our life. We pray that this year's study affords you the opportunity to grow closer to God and each other. The date for this year's convention is April 18-20, 2003. We will be meeting at the Adam's Mark in Mobile, AL. For more information please visit our website at www.seltc.org or call 205-988-5808.

The Bear Valley Bible Institute, Scottsboro Extension (BVBISE) is half-way through it's second year of operation under the oversight of the elders of the Broad Street Church of Christ in Scottsboro, Alabama. The school is an extension of the BEAR VALLEY BIBLE INSTITUTE of DENVER. 40 courses (and eight out-of-class mini-courses) completed over a four-year period lead to the Bachelor of Biblical Studies Degree. The Associates Degree may be earned in half that time.

One course is taught each month (except July and December) in two all-day Saturday sessions along with outside assignments. The school is TUITION FREE. The only costs to the student are for required texts & materials, and a $5 fee each Saturday to help cover the teacher's expenses. The teachers are academically well-qualified and experienced gospel preachers who know and love the Bible as the verbally inspired and authoritative word of God, and who volunteer their time and work as a labor of love.

BVBISE is committed to training sound and able Bible teachers (men and women), and faithful gospel preachers for service in the kingdom of Christ. The format is designed to make this training possible for men and women who must continue their jobs and other pursuits while they study. Credit is given for previous college or preacher-school study. A preacher-school graduate may be able to earn the Bachelor of Biblical Studies Degree in as little as four months of study. For more information please contact the Broad Street Church of Christ, 613 South Broad Street, Scottsboro, AL 35768. Phone: 256-574-2489. EMAIL

Some cranes made their feeding grounds on some plowlands newly sown with wheat. For a long time the Farmer, brandishing an empty sling, chased them away by the terror he inspired; but when the birds found that the sling was only swung in the air, they ceased to take any notice of it and would not move. The Farmer, on seeing this, charged his sling with stones, and killed a great number. The remaining birds at once forsook his fields, crying to each other, "It is time for us to be off to Liliput: for this man is no longer content to scare us, but begins to show us in earnest what he can do."

If words suffice not, blows must follow....Aesop