Using Good Theology Using Good Theology

In Christian WitnessIn Christian Witness

To MuslimsTo Muslims

Christ the VictorChrist the Victor

Introduction: Introduction:

Step 1 Step 1 - - God's LoveGod's Love

and His Planand His Plan

• Islamic Perspective Islamic Perspective – God is distant – God is distant and unknowable, and life is a test.and unknowable, and life is a test.

Step 2Step 2 – – Our Problem: Our Problem: Separation from God Separation from God

Islamic Perspective Islamic Perspective – Man is born – Man is born sinless and no relationship is sinless and no relationship is expected. Relationship is Master to expected. Relationship is Master to slave.slave.

– Step 3 Step 3 - - God's Remedy:God's Remedy: The CrossThe Cross

Islamic Perspective Islamic Perspective – No one can die in the – No one can die in the place of another (not just). Jesus never place of another (not just). Jesus never died on the cross. We are judged died on the cross. We are judged according to the deeds we do on earth. according to the deeds we do on earth. God is merciful so bad deeds are a 1-to-1 God is merciful so bad deeds are a 1-to-1 ratio but good deeds are a minimum of 10-ratio but good deeds are a minimum of 10-to-1 ratio and can be over 1000-to-1 ratio to-1 ratio and can be over 1000-to-1 ratio on right days or occasions. on right days or occasions.

– Step 4:Step 4: Our ResponseOur Response

Accept Christ

Islamic Perspective Islamic Perspective – submit (Islam) to God – submit (Islam) to God and do your duty (din). That is all that is and do your duty (din). That is all that is expected and you are at the mercy of God expected and you are at the mercy of God to be let into Paradise.to be let into Paradise.Summary:Summary:–Relationship with God SinRelationship with God Sin–Jesus is GodJesus is God Jesus died on the cross for our Jesus died on the cross for our –Salvation sinsSalvation sins

–

In light of Muslim’s response,In light of Muslim’s response,

how do we share the gospel?how do we share the gospel?

I. Understanding WorldviewI. Understanding Worldview

(A “worldview” consists of the (A “worldview” consists of the unquestioned assumptions and truths unquestioned assumptions and truths by which an individual interprets what by which an individual interprets what happens around him.)happens around him.)

a. Guilt and Innocencea. Guilt and Innocence

b. Honor and Shameb. Honor and Shame

c. Fear and Powerc. Fear and Power

II. Guilt and InnocenceII. Guilt and Innocence

a. Legal/Forensica. Legal/Forensic

b. Determine who is right and who is b. Determine who is right and who is

wrong.wrong.

c. Laws and punishment are based on c. Laws and punishment are based on

determination of guilt or innocence.determination of guilt or innocence.

III. Honor and ShameIII. Honor and Shame a. Relationshipa. Relationship b. Determine how to preserve honor b. Determine how to preserve honor

and avoid shame at all costs.and avoid shame at all costs. c. Laws and punishment: honor c. Laws and punishment: honor

killings are acceptable.killings are acceptable.Miller states: Miller states:

In Arab culture, shame must be avoided In Arab culture, shame must be avoided at all costs. If it strikes, it must be at all costs. If it strikes, it must be hidden. If it is exposed, then it must be hidden. If it is exposed, then it must be avenged. At all costs, honor must be avenged. At all costs, honor must be restored.restored.

IV. Fear and PowerIV. Fear and Power

a. Spirit worlda. Spirit world

b. Determine why things happen.b. Determine why things happen.

(spirits or ancestors angry).(spirits or ancestors angry).

c. Laws and punishment: restore c. Laws and punishment: restore

harmony in the unseen world.harmony in the unseen world.

Rather than using scientific tools and Rather than using scientific tools and measurements, spirits or mediums are measurements, spirits or mediums are used to determine the cause.used to determine the cause.

V. Western Christian AssumptionsV. Western Christian Assumptions

Guilt and Innocence ParadigmGuilt and Innocence Paradigm

a. Peace with Goda. Peace with God

b. Roman’s Roadb. Roman’s Road

c. Bridgec. Bridge

d. Four Spiritual Lawsd. Four Spiritual Laws

VI. Major Themes of RedemptionVI. Major Themes of Redemption a. Christ the Redeemera. Christ the Redeemer 1. Penal Substitution1. Penal Substitution 2. Sin is addressed.2. Sin is addressed. 3. Scripture3. Scripture I Corinthians 15:3I Corinthians 15:3

For what I received I passed on toFor what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins accordingthat Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.to the Scriptures.

VI. Major Themes of RedemptionVI. Major Themes of Redemption

ScriptureScripture

• It was an It was an atoning sacrifice atoning sacrifice for our sin for our sin (Heb 10:10-14)(Heb 10:10-14)

• It It satisfied God’s justice satisfied God’s justice (Romans 3:25)(Romans 3:25)

• It provided an It provided an exampleexample for believers for believers (Phil 2:5-11; I Peter 2:21)(Phil 2:5-11; I Peter 2:21)

• It It conquered Satan conquered Satan (John 12:31; Col (John 12:31; Col 2:14-15; Hebrews 2:14-15; I John 3:8)2:14-15; Hebrews 2:14-15; I John 3:8)

VI. Major Themes of RedemptionVI. Major Themes of Redemption b. Christ the Victorb. Christ the Victor 1. Christ is Victor over Satan and his 1. Christ is Victor over Satan and his works.works. 2. Satan, death, sin, and shame are 2. Satan, death, sin, and shame are addressed.addressed. 3. Scripture - I John 3:83. Scripture - I John 3:8

He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s workwork..

Hebrews 2:14-15Hebrews 2:14-15 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared

in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.by their fear of death.

VII. Themes to be BroadenedVII. Themes to be Broadened a. Christ bound the strong man—a. Christ bound the strong man—

Satan.Satan. b. Christ defeated death—to offer b. Christ defeated death—to offer

eternal life.eternal life. c. Christ took our sin--removing c. Christ took our sin--removing

Satan’s hold on us.Satan’s hold on us. d. Christ took our shame—children d. Christ took our shame—children

of Satan to children of God.of Satan to children of God.

VIII. Construction of a Gospel VIII. Construction of a Gospel PresentationPresentation

DOES GOODNESS LIVE IN YOU?DOES GOODNESS LIVE IN YOU?

CREATION CREATION FALL FALL

ATTEMPTS TO RESTORE LIFEATTEMPTS TO RESTORE LIFE

ATTEMPTS TO RESTORE LIFEATTEMPTS TO RESTORE LIFE

KNOWLEDGEKNOWLEDGE

ATTEMPTS TO RESTORE LIFEATTEMPTS TO RESTORE LIFE

KNOWLEDGEKNOWLEDGE

DISCIPLINEDISCIPLINE

ATTEMPTS TO RESTORE LIFE

KNOWLEDGEKNOWLEDGE

DISCIPLINEDISCIPLINE

RELIGIONRELIGION

ATTEMPTS TO RESTORE LIFEATTEMPTS TO RESTORE LIFE

KNOWLEDGEKNOWLEDGE

DISCIPLINEDISCIPLINE

RELIGIONRELIGION

LAWLAW

ACCEPT CHRISTACCEPT CHRIST

Took on Satan and beat himTook on Satan and beat him Set us free from the powerSet us free from the power

of Satan, death, sin, and of Satan, death, sin, and shameshame

ARE WE GOOD ENOUGH?ARE WE GOOD ENOUGH?

CHRISTIAN LIFECHRISTIAN LIFE

JUDGEMENT DAYJUDGEMENT DAY

JUDGEMENT DAYJUDGEMENT DAY