A Comparison

Christianity vs Islam

World StatisticsIslam means “Submission” Over 1 Billion adherents (rivals the

population of China).Geography: North Africa, Middle

East, Russia, India, Indonesia, Philippines

Over 10 Million Muslims in Americas

Islam

U. S. StatisticsApprox. 5 million Muslims in U.S. Islam

2nd largest World ReligionAverage 1 new mosque opens each week

in U.S.165 Islamic schools, 426 Islamic

associations & 90 Islamic publications in U.S.

There are more Muslims than Methodists in U.S.

Likely to be More Muslims than Jews and Protestants combined by mid-century

Islam

Da’wah means the active business of propagating Islam to make conversions

Da’wah involves the effort to bring those who’ve fallen away from Islam back

Da’wah means the responsibility to simply live quiet lives of Muslim piety and charity – set example (Jane I. Smith, professor Islamic Studies, Hartford Seminary).

Mission (Da’wah – “Invitation”)

“Islam has taken advantage of American openness and has made great progress in Da’wah in our schools that are closed to Christianity. The educational institutions of the West will be a major battleground for Islam in the future” – William Wagner, How Islam Plans to Change the World

“Islam is focusing on people groups in America and the West and is creating strategies to meet the needs of these target peoples. As of now the numbers are not large, but as Christians have learned, people who feel displaced or alienated are more open to conversion than those who have deep roots. The minorities in America fit into this category” – William Wagner

The U. S. mission field.

Qur’an:“We believe in God and what has been sent down

to us, and what had been revealed to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and their progeny, and that which was given to Moses and Christ, and to all other prophets by the Lord. We make no distinction among them, and we submit to Him.” Surah 2:136

“All praise be to God who has neither begotten a son nor has a partner in His kingdom; nor has He need of any one to protect Him from ignominy. So extol Him by extolling His majesty.” Surah 17:111

Islam and Deity.

1 Cor. 1:3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Joh 1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.

Mat 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Bible

Qur’an:O people of the Book, do not be fanatical in

your faith, and say nothing but the truth about God. The Messiah who is Jesus, son of Mary, was only an apostle of God, and a command of His which He sent to Mary, as a mercy from Him. Surah 4.171

The Christ, son of Mary, was but an apostle, and many apostles had (come and) gone before him; they both ate the (same) food (as men). Surah 5.75

Islam and Jesus:

BibleJoh 8:23-24 And He said to them, "You

are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins."

No compatibility between these “ways of salvation”.

Christianity and Jesus

The Qur’an:QUR’AN means “Recitation”1 author, over 20 years in Arabic.2 locations: Mecca & MedinaComposed of 114 Surahs, varying lengths.Ordered from longest to shortest, NOT

chronologically.We have sent it down with truth, and with truth has

(the QUR’AN) come down. And We have sent you only to give good news and to warn. We have divided the QUR’AN into parts that you may recite it to men slowly, with deliberation. That is why we sent it down by degrees. Surah 17.105-106

Islam and Revelation

“Whosoever is the enemy of Gabriel who revealed the word of God to you by the dispensation of God, reaffirming what had been revealed before, and is a guidance and good news for those who believe. Surah 2.97

Claims Inspiration: Surah 3:3, “He has verily revealed to you this Book, in truth and confirmation of the Books revealed before, as indeed He had revealed the Torah and the Gospel”

Ours tampered with: Surah 22:52-53, “We have sent no messenger or apostle before you with whose recitations Satan did not tamper. Yet God abrogates what Satan interpolates; then He confirms His revelations, for God is all-knowing and all-wise. This is in order to make the interpolations of Satan a test for those whose hearts are diseased and hardened: surely the sinners have gone far in dissent.”

Qur’an

Idea: Jews and Christians have corrupted the Torah and Gospels.O people of the Book, why do you mix the false

with the true, and hide the truth knowingly? Surah 3.71

Among them is a section which distorts in reading the Scripture in a way that though it sounds like the Scripture, in fact it is not; and they lie about God, and knowingly. Surah 3.78

Among them are heathens who know nothing of the Book but only what they wish to believe, and are only lost in fantasies. Surah 2.78

Doctrine of Tarif

The Bible.Bible – biblios – “book” or “The Book”40 writers over 1500 years.66 books: 39 O.T. & 27 N.T.3 languages: Hebrew, Greek, Aramaic.NO Contradictions – It is Truth.Gal 1:6-8 I marvel that you are turning away so soon

from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, (7) which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. (8) But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.

Christianity and Revelation

2Ti 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

Ps 119:89: “Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven.”

Matt 24:35: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.”

The Bible and Revelation

2 Pet. 1.16-21 - Qur’an prophetic word not “confirmed” (19), of “private interpretation” (20), not “moved by the Holy Spirit” (21).

2Pe 1:16 For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 2Pe 1:17 For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."2Pe 1:18 And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. 2Pe 1:19 And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; 2Pe 1:20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 2Pe 1:21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

No Confirmation

Permission is granted those (to take up arms) who fight because they were oppressed. God is certainly able to give help to those who were driven away from their homes for no other reason than they said: “Our Lord is God.” Surah 39-40

So, when you clash with the unbelievers, smite their necks until you overpower them, then hold them in bondage. Then either free them graciously or after taking a ransom, until war shall have come to an end. If God had pleased He could have punished them (Himself), but He wills to test some of you through some others. He will not allow the deeds of those who are killed in the cause of God to go to waste. Surah 47.4

“Fight those people of the Book who do not believe in God and the Last Day, who do not prohibit what God and His Apostle have forbidden, nor accept divine law, until all of them pay protective tax in submission. Surah 9.29

Islam and Vengeance

Mat 5:39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.

Mat 10:9-1 Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food.

1Th 5:15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.

Christianity and Vengeance

The semblance of Paradise promised the pious and devout (is that of a garden) with streams of water that will not go rank, and rivers of milk whose taste will not undergo a change, and rivers of wine delectable to drinkers, and streams of purified honey, and fruits of every kind in them, and forgiveness of their Lord. Surah 47.15

Except the chosen creatures of God, Whose provision is predetermined – Fruits of every kind and they will be honored in gardens of delight, (sitting) on couches, face to face, with cups from a flowing stream being passed around, clear, delicious to drink, neither dulling the senses nor intoxicating, and with them maidens of modest look and large lustrous eyes, like sheltered eggs in a nest. 37.40-49

Surely those who fear and follow the straight path will be in a place of peace and security in the midst of gardens and springs, dressed in brocade and shot silk, facing one another. Just like that. We shall pair them with companions with large black eyes. They will call for every kind of fruit with satisfaction Surah 44.51-55

Islam’s Heaven

1Pe 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (4) to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, (5) who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Mar 12:24-25 (24) Jesus answered and said to them, "Are you not therefore mistaken, because you do not know the Scriptures nor the power of God? (25) For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.

Christianity’s Heaven