Apologetics Session 5

Our time this morning will focus on two of the three major monotheistic religions of Islam and Judaism. Now, I have to acknowledge my own limitations with Islam, although I spent a great deal of time researching this religion this week, building on a small portion of knowledge prior to this session. I will also say for both Islam and Judaism are both enormous systems of thought and religion, with many offshoots and denominations (to use a term more familiar to us).

I. Islam

There are three sects, two of which are known and the third a little less known: Sunni, Shi’ite, and sufis.

While there are definitely differences in theological views, practices, and such, they all hold to a substantial amount of doctrine that we will briefly look at this morning.

A. Views of God (BLUE TABS)

Islam teaches that there is one God. They declare this five times a day in prayer in the creed, “There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is Allah’s Apostle.” They believe God (Allah) is one and only one. Surah 112

In their book, Answering Islam, Norman Geisler and Abdul Saleeb write, “The cornerstone of Muhammad’s message was the absolute unity and sovereignty of God.”

By the way, this is one of the difficulties that Islam has with Christianity (along with Judaism), Surah 4:116, cf. 4:48.

B. View of Life

Allah is creator and we owe our allegiance to Him. Obedience to God and His will is why humans were created. They also believe in God’s sovereignty in all aspects of life.

There is life after death. Surah 3:185

There is judgment. Surah 18:49

They believe the Quran (also in other Scripture, OT), but believe it has been corrupted- (GREEN TABS) Surah 2:42, 3:71

They believe in eternal life- Surah 37:43, 37:48, 55:72, 44:54

C. Muhammad- God’s Prophet

The Muslim people love the prophet Muhammad. One Muslim thinker, Iqbal, said this, “Love of the Prophet runs like blood in the veins of his community.” and “You can deny God, but you cannot deny the Prophet!” (Geisler and Saleeb, 82-83) He is not like Christ is to the Christians, though elevated he be.

D. Witnessing to Muslims

As I have mentioned, you need to realize that I am no expert on Islam or apologetics with it. However, I can offer some areas that we need to understand in order to further our witness.

We need to focus on a defense of the Bible

We need to focus on the deity of Christ

We need defend the Trinity

We need to defend the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (4:169-171

II. Judaism

A. Different Sects (Orthodox, Reformed Judaism,. and Conservative Judaism)

B. Believe the Word of God

(their views depend on their sect, Orthodox are more like us, or even fundamentalist, Reformed Judaism would be closer to a progressive brand of Christianity)

C. Reject Jesus as Messiah

Klinghoffer quote page 39

Witnessing to Jewish people- care, patience, understanding of the Tanakh (Torah)

Know the First Testament through and through