This summer two faithful members of the Crossroads family who have been serving and sharing the love of Jesus to Muslims in Central Asia taught a class about Islam. It was very informative and I believe it is information that all Americans should be aware of especially Christians. I have enclosed a summary they provided from the class. If you have any questions about Islam and a proper Christian response please call us at Crossroads and we will put you in touch with the experts. We hopefully will be offering this class again soon.

E4 Class: CROSS AND CRESCENT SUMMARY

Introduction: Most people in the West have very little knowledge or understanding when it comes to Islam, a religion that has over 1.5 billion adherents and is having a major impact worldwide. The purpose of this class was not to stir up fear or anger, but to educate people in order to equip them to have an informed, respectful discussion regarding Islam with other Westerners as well as Muslims, if they ever have the opportunity to meet a Muslim.

We were pleasantly surprised to have had 38 individuals, mostly from Crossroads Church, but also from other churches in the valley and from no church affiliation at all.

In class #1, we covered the Founding and Expansion of Islam. This was mainly a history lesson covering how Islam began, the “prophet” Muhammad, the spread and development of Islam and the Crusades.

Class #2 covered Islamic beliefs,  based upon on the Quran and Hadith. We also covered the pillars of their faith and fundamental articles of their faith.

In class #3 we took a close look at the diversity among Muslims, for instance the different sects of Islam, the two major sects being Sunni and Sh’ia.  We also looked at social practices, feasts, fasting, honoring strangers, community and the overall Muslim worldview that impacts their politics, religious practices, relationships with other Muslims and relationships with non- Muslims.

In class #4 we dove into the cultural and political barriers that may keep us from healthy interaction with the Muslim world. This included world politics and relational issues between governments but also barriers that may confront us as individuals. How can we be culturally sensitive and “contextualize” our behavior so as not to offend unknowingly. We also discussed the question: “Is Islam a religion of peace?” No doubt, a hot topic in the world today and one which stirs emotions. While the majority of Muslims are peaceful people, the radical elements of Islam find justification for their violence in the Quran and the life of their prophet.

Class #5 focused on theological issues and things Islam has in common with Christianity as well as things that are diametrically opposed to our faith. Muslims do believe that our Bible is a “holy book in its original form, but that it has been corrupted over time. They believe many true things about Jesus, such as the virgin birth, that he performed miracles and that he was a prophet, but they cannot accept the fact that he was God incarnate, that He died on the cross, and that he rose from the dead. They do not believe in the atonement, but believe in trusting in their own works in order to earn salvation. They have no assurance of salvation.

Our final class discussed our response to Islam. How do we reach out to Muslims with love and respect and realize that it is a spiritual battle that requires much prayer and understanding? How do we break through the barriers that separate us?  How do we contextualize without compromising the truth of the Bible? All these questions are issues that missiologists  have dealt with for decades and many methods and strategies have been implemented, some with great success and some with little fruit.

In all the classes, we weaved in the personal experience we had while living in central Asia. Our own experience enabled us to teach with passion and knowledge. It was a wonderful privilege to share our experience and knowledge with so many friends from our Valley.

We hope that this class has reached its objective of equipping the saints with good information and understanding. We pray that those attending the class will have the opportunity to engage with a Muslim on an informed basis and glorify God as they do.

A great read is:

“Seeking Allah Finding Jesus, a devout Muslim Encounters Christianity” by Nabeel Qureshi

The post The Cross & The Crescent appeared first on Stephen Woodrow.

As Christ-followers we have a biblical imperative to pray and support Israel, this does not mean supporting all political positions of Israel (Genesis 12:3; Romans 11)

I know this is a politically charged issue, however, the Bible is very clear on this issue that followers of Jesus are to respect and show mercy to Israel. This does not mean supporting all political views and decisions that Israel makes. Israel is the longest lasting nation in the world and every nation that has gone against it has eventually fallen. God still has a plan for Israel.

ISIS holds to a form of Islam that is supported by Mohammad and the Koran

Regardless of all the chatter that ISIS does not hold to Islam, this statement has no foundation. ISIS is trying to do exactly what their prophet did and what he wrote in the Koran.

“The teaching of Jesus is clear. No one ought to be compelled to become a Christian. This sets the Christian faith drastically apart from Islam. In no country in the world that I know of where the renunciation of one’s Christian faith puts one in danger of being hunted down by the powers of the state. Yet, there are numerous Islamic countries where it is against the law to publicly proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, and where a Muslim who renounces his or her belief in Islam to believe in anything else risks death. Freedom to critique the text of the Koran and the person of Mohammad are prohibited by the laws of blasphemy, and the result is torturous punishment. One must respect the concern of a culture to protect what it deems sacred, but to compel a belief in Jesus Christ is foreign to the gospel, and that is a vital difference.” (Jesus Among other gods; Ravi Zacharius; p.159)

However, one can interpret it; the sword and warfare are an intrinsic part of the Islamic faith. Mohammad had many executions carried out as well as led many battles.

Surah 9;5 called the ayatus-saif; clearly shows Mohammad giving instructions to kill.

“But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the idolaters wherever ye find them, and take them, and prepare for them each ambush. But if they repent and establish worship and pay the poor due, then leave their way free.”

For Islam to reform, they are going to have to take a hard honest look at Mohammad’s life

No one is willing to discuss the life of Mohammad, Islam’s main prophet, for the reason listed above. But it does no good for the Islamic apologists to just say that there are different interpretations of Islam when history clearly records how Mohammad lived.

There is no moral or religious equivalency between what Christians did in the Crusades and slavery with what ISIS is doing today

Many have tried to show  moral equivalency between what ISIS is now doing and what Christians did in the Crusades or during the time of slavery. The Muslims who are taking part in Jihad have clear support in the Koran and in the life that their prophet lived. Christians involved in the Crusades were clearly not obeying Christ’s clear command and example to love your enemies. Some might bring up the God sanctioned battles in the OT. But we must see that Jesus fulfilled the OT Law and calls His followers to love their enemies.

Ten Biblical Principles that will help us be salt and light in this warring world:

1.) Our hope is not in this world, therefore nothing in this world, even death, can steal our hope (Romans 5:1-5; 1 Cor 15:19; Eph 1:12)

2.) Seek first the kingdom of God, not the Kingdom of this world (Matthew 6:33; 1 John 2:15-17)

3.) Embrace and identify with Christ’s righteousness in the midst of worldly pressure (Matthew 5:10; 10:32-33)

4.) Do not take personal revenge – let God be the judge (Matthew 5:38-42)

5.) Love your enemies and pray that God blesses them (Matthew 5:43-48)

6.) Be a peacemaker not a pacifist and be ready to protect your family and others if needed (Matthew 5:9; 26:47-55; Luke 22:36-38, 47-51; John 18:10)

7.) Pray for and be aware of our Christian brothers and sisters around the world who are being persecuted and martyred (2 Corinthians 1:8-11; 1 Peter 5:6-9)

8.) Pray and support those in the military and law enforcement who God has given charge to protect us (Romans 13:1-7)

9.) Grow in our willingness to lay down our life that others may come to know Jesus – even our enemies? (Matthew 5:43-48, Hebrews 11:35)

10.) Being salt and light is completely dependent upon the fire of the Gospel of Jesus growing in our heart (Matthew 6:9-10)

I pray that you will take some time to deeply search the Word of God on these issues and dialogue deeply with others and go to the Lord in prayer.

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