Download bibliology, theology proper - Institute of Biblical Studies

CHRISTIAN WORLDVIEW
Instructor: Alan Scholes
Institute of Biblical Studies
DAY FOUR, SESSION 1: THE WORLD OF ISLAM (2/16)
Session Objectives: by the end of this session you should be able to
1.
Grasp the essential beliefs of Islam.
2.
Develop a greater ability to share your faith with Muslims.
I.
Introduction: Malcom X.
II.
We need to grasp and engage the world of Islam.
A.
B.
What is prime reality? There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is His
prophet.
1.
“The first and greatest teaching of Islam is proclaimed by the Shahada
(confession): La ilaha illa Ÿllah Muhammadun rasal Allah. This means: There is
no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the apostle of Allah. It is this very
confession which, once uttered sincerely and followed completely, makes
one a real Muslim. It is this Shahada which leads a Muslim throughout his
life.” (Badru D. Kateregga in A Muslim And A Christian In Dialogue, Herald
Press, Scottdale, Pa., 1997)
2.
Islam means total submission to the commands and will of Allah, the only
true God.
3.
The greatest sin in Islam is shirk (associating anything with God). Many
Muslims see Christians as believing there are three Gods which makes them
guilty of shirk. It is also wrong to associate any human attributes (such as
fatherhood) with God.
What is the nature of external reality? Allah created all that is.
1.
‘’Lo! your Lord is Allah Who created the heavens and the earth in six days,
then mounted He the Throne. He covereth the night with the day, which is
in haste to follow it, and hath made the sun and the moon and the stars
subservient by His command. His verily is all creation and commandment.
Blessed be Allah, the Lord of the Worlds.” (QurŸan 7:54).
2.
Allah is eternal, omnipotent, sovereign, and merciful.
1
C.
What is a human being?
1.
Humans are creations of Allah. He has made us “khalifa” (viceregent) of
God.
“Allah it is Who hath made the sea of service unto you that the ships may
run thereon by His command.... And hath made of service unto you
whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth.” (QurŸan
45:12-13)
D.
E.
F.
2.
Humans are basically good, but fallible.
3.
Humans need the guidance of Allah and Islamic law.
What happens to a person at death?
1.
Bodies are resurrected.
2.
There is a threat of eternal torment.
3.
Righteous men go to Paradise which includes a garden populated with
houris, maidens designed by Allah to provide sexual pleasures.
Why is it possible to know anything at all?
1.
The Koran (Qur’an) was revealed to Muhammad by the angel Gabriel.
2.
The Qur’an accepts the Law of Moses, the Psalms of David, and the Gospel
of Jesus (the Injil).
3.
124,000 prophets have been sent by Allah. Jesus (Isa in Arabic) is one of the
most respected. He was virgin born, sinless, and a great miracle worker. He
was not crucified. He will return before the judgment day, perhaps turning
Christians to the true faith of Islam.
How do we know what is right and wrong?
1.
Through the “Holy Books”:
a)
The Suhuf (Scrolls) These are ten Holy Scriptures revealed to the
Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), but unfortunately they are now extinct
and not traceable in existing world literature.
b)
The Taurat (Torah) This was a Holy Book revealed to the Prophet
Musa (Moses).
c)
The Zabur (Psalms) This Holy Book was revealed to the Prophet Daud
(David).
2
2.
d)
The Injil (Gospels). This was a Holy Book revealed to the Prophet Isa
(Jesus).
e)
The quran QurŸan (Koran). This is the Holy Book (final message) to
humankind which was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.
“Muslims believe that all the universal aspects of previous revelations
have been summarized in the QurŸan. In the QurŸan all the universal
aspects of Divine guidance have been preserved exactly as revealed to
the Prophet Muhammad.”
Islamic law, the “Shari’a.”
“Shariÿa is etymologically derived from an Arabic root, "the trodden path."
It is the "path" which leads men into submission. Shariÿa is the Divine Law
revealed by God to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) for the guidance of
the Muslim community. It is the detailed code of conduct for Muslims to
follow, both in their private and public lives. It is a well organized system
of universal law for right conduct. It is the Divine Law which binds all
Muslims into a single Umma (community), even those living beyond the
borders of the Muslim nation. This is the Shariÿa. It is mainly through this
universal law that Islam has been able to evolve a civilization, a complete
culture, and a comprehensive world order.” Badru D. Kateregga. [Islamic
morals include: sincerity, honesty, humility, chastity, meekness, charity,
politeness, love, forgiveness, goodness, courage, sympathy, justice,
straightforwardness, obedience, appreciation, kindness, and steadfastness.]
3.
Through prayer, sermons, and counsel at the mosque.
4.
Ultimately our knowledge of right and wrong comes from Allah.
“It is the perfect God Who knows everything happening in the present and
in the future. He knows what is near and far, what is in heaven and on
earth. His knowledge is unbound. He instructs humans in wisdom through
His messengers and written Scriptures. He also reveals to humans the
knowledge of the laws of nature and His wonderful signs in His creation
and in the order of the universe. This is all part of His wisdom and
knowledge.” Badru D. Kateregga
G.
What is the meaning of human history?
1.
History is linear.
2.
It began with creation.
3.
It will end with judgment.
3
H.
Core Commitments--what is our basic problem and solution?
1.
We are good but fallible. We need guidance.
“All people are born as true Muslims, innocent, pure, and free (quran
QurŸan 30:30). [There is] No single act which has warped the human will.
Any concept of original sin is contrary to the true teachings of Islam. It is
not a sin for man to be fallible. As a finite creature, he is bound to be
imperfect. However, it becomes a sin if man has the means of perfection
and decides not to avail himself of them. Man is not responsible for
committing any childhood sin. He only becomes responsible after he
grows up, is given intellect by God, and is able to distinguish between
right and wrong. This is the only time when he can bear responsibility for
his actions before his Creator. Nevertheless, because man is born good,
what he becomes after birth is largely the result of external influence and
environment.” Badru D. Kateregga
2.
III.
We should practice the Five Pillars of Islam:
a)
Confess Allah as God & Muhammad as His prophet.
b)
Pray 5 times daily, facing Mecca.
c)
Give alms.
d)
Fast during the month of Ramadan.
e)
Make a pilgrimage to Mecca (once).
Application: How do we reach Muslims?
4